im either to leave the
land at once or make ready for battle, since King Arthur would not
suffer the people to be harried any longer. These four knights,
accordingly, rode off with their followers, and before very long they
came to a meadow, where, pitched by the side of a stream, they saw
many stately tents, and in the middle of them one which, it was plain,
must be the Emperor's, for above it floated a banner on which was an
eagle.

Then they halted and took counsel what it would be best to do, and it
was agreed that the rest of the party should remain in ambush in
the wood while Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors delivered the message they
brought. Having heard it, the Emperor Lucius said they had better
return and advise King Arthur to make preparations for being subdued
by Rome and losing all his possessions. To this taunt Sir Gawaine and
Sir Bors made angry replies, whereupon Sir Gainus, a knight who was
near of kin to the Emperor, laughed, and said that British knights
behaved as if the whole world rested on their shoulders. Sir Gawaine
was infuriated beyond all measure by these words, and he and Sir Bors
fled as fast as their horses could put legs to the ground, dashing
headlong through woods and across streams, till they came to the spot
where they had left their comrades in ambush.

The Romans followed in hot pursuit, and pressed them hard all the way.
One knight, indeed, had almost overtaken them, when Sir Bors turned
and ran him through with his spear. Then Sir Lionel and Sir Badouine
came to their assistance, and there was a great and fierce encounter,
and such was the bravery of the British that they routed the Romans
and chased them right up to their tents. There the enemy made a stand,
and Sir Bors was taken prisoner; but Sir Gawaine, drawing his good
sword, vowed that he would either rescue his comrade or never look
King Arthur in the face again, and falling upon the men that had
captured Sir Bors, he delivered him out of their hands.

Then the fight waxed hotter and hotter, and the British knights were
in such jeopardy that Sir Gawaine dispatched a messenger to bring him
help as quickly as it could be sent, for he was wounded and sorely
hurt. King Arthur, having received the message, instantly mustered his
army; but before he could set out, into the camp rode Sir Gawaine and
his companions, bringing with them many prisoners. And the only one
of the band who had suffered any hurt was Sir Gawaine, whom the king