t's walls reddened for shame, and hurled down spears and stones
at the foul mouths. Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Lionel, they
also heard the words, and going to the other knights of Sir Lancelot,
took counsel with them, and decided that this could no longer be
suffered.

Together they went to Sir Lancelot and said to him:

'Wit ye well, my lord, that we feel great scorn of the evil words which
Sir Gawaine spoke unto you when that ye parleyed with him, and also of
these shameful names which men call upon ye for all the citizens to
hear. Wherefore, we charge you and beseech you, if ye will to keep our
service, hold us no longer behind these walls, but let us out, in the
name of Heaven and your fair name, and have at these rascals.'

'Fair friends,' replied Sir Lancelot, 'I am full loth to fight against
my dear lord, King Arthur.'

'But if ye will not,' said Sir Lionel, his brother, 'all men will say
ye fear to stir from these walls, and hearing the shameful words they
cry, will say that there must be truth in them if ye seek not to
silence them.'

They spoke long with Sir Lancelot, and at length he was persuaded; and
he sent a message to the king telling him that he would come out and do
battle; but that, for the love he bore the king, he prayed he would not
expose his person in the fight.

But Sir Gawaine returned answer that this was the king's quarrel, and
that the king would fight against a traitor knight with all his power.

On the morrow, at nine in the morning, King Arthur drew forth his host,
and Sir Lancelot brought forth his array. When they stood facing each
other, Sir Lancelot addressed his men and charged all his knights to
save King Arthur from death or wounds, and for the sake of their old
friendship with Sir Gawaine, to avoid battle with him also.

Then, with a great hurtling and crashing, the knights ran together, and
much people were there slain. The knights of Sir Lancelot did great
damage among the king's people, for they were fierce knights, and
burned to revenge themselves for the evil names they had heard.

Sir Gawaine raged like a lion through the field, seeking Sir Lancelot,
and many knights did he slay or overthrow. Once, indeed, King Arthur,
dashing through the fight, came upon Sir Lancelot.

'Now, Sir Lancelot,' he cried, 'defend thee, for thou art the causer of
this civil war.'

At these words he struck at Sir Lancelot with his sword; but Sir
Lancelot took no means to defe