f Lancelot." "My
lord King," says Meleagant, "Lancelot told me that I should surely
find him here. Nowhere but in your court must I issue the call to this
battle, and I desire all your knights here to bear me witness that I
summon him to fight a year from to-day, as stipulated when we agreed to
fight."

(Vv. 6221-6458.) At this my lord Gawain gets up, much distressed at what
he hears: "Sire, there is nothing known of Lancelot in all this land,"
he says; "but we shall send in search of him and, if God will, we shall
find him yet, before the end of the year is reached, unless he be dead
or in prison. And if he does not appear, then grant me the battle, and
I will fight for him: I will arm myself in place of Lancelot, if he does
not return before that day." "Ah," says Meleagant, "for God's sake, my
fair lord King, grant him the boon. I join my request to his desire, for
I know no knight in all the world with whom I would more gladly try my
strength, excepting only Lancelot. But bear in mind that, if I do not
fight with one of them, I will accept no exchange or substitution for
either one." And the King says that this is understood, if Lancelot
does not return within the time. Then Meleagant left the royal court and
journeyed until he found his father, King Bademagu. In order to appear
brave and of consideration in his presence, he began by making a great
pretence and by assuming an expression of marvellous cheer. That day the
king was holding a joyous court at his city of Bade; [426] it was his
birthday, which he celebrated with splendour and generosity, and there
were many people of divers sorts gathered with him. All the palace
was filled with knights and damsels, and among them was the sister of
Meleagant, of whom I shall tell you, farther on, what is my thought
and reason for mentioning her here. But it is not fitting that I should
explain it here, for I do not wish to confuse or entangle my material,
but rather to treat it straight forwardly. Now I must tell you that
Meleagant in the hearing of all, both great and small, spoke thus to his
father boastingly: "Father," he says, "so help me God, please tell me
truly now whether he ought not to be well-content, and whether he is
not truly brave, who can cause his arms to be feared at King Arthur's
court?" To this question his father replies at once: "Son," he says,
"all good men ought to honour and serve and seek the company of one
whose deserts are such." Then he flatter