d knight that made all knights-errant good cheer. Then in
the meanwhile that they were talking came into the castle Sir Griflet le
Fise de Dieu, and there was he welcome; and they all asked him whether
he had seen Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram. Sirs, he answered, I saw him
not sithen he departed from Camelot. So as Sir Dinadan walked and
beheld the castle, thereby in a chamber he espied King Mark, and then he
rebuked him, and asked him why he departed so. Sir, said he, for I durst
not abide because they were so many. But how escaped ye? said King Mark.
Sir, said Sir Dinadan, they were better friends than I weened they had
been. Who is captain of that fellowship? said the king. Then for to fear
him Sir Dinadan said that it was Sir Launcelot. O Jesu, said the king,
might I know Sir Launcelot by his shield? Yea, said Dinadan, for he
beareth a shield of silver and black bends. All this he said to fear the
king, for Sir Launcelot was not in his fellowship. Now I pray you, said
King Mark, that ye will ride in my fellowship. That is me loath to do,
said Sir Dinadan, because ye forsook my fellowship.

Right so Sir Dinadan went from King Mark, and went to his own
fellowship; and so they mounted upon their horses, and rode on their
ways, and talked of the Cornish knight, for Dinadan told them that he
was in the castle where they were lodged. It is well said, said Sir
Griflet, for here have I brought Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, that
is the best fellow and the merriest in the world. Will ye do well? said
Sir Dinadan: I have told the Cornish knight that here is Sir Launcelot,
and the Cornish knight asked me what shield he bare. Truly, I told him
that he bare the same shield that Sir Mordred beareth. Will ye do well?
said Sir Mordred; I am hurt and may not well bear my shield nor harness,
and therefore put my shield and my harness upon Sir Dagonet, and let him
set upon the Cornish knight. That shall be done, said Sir Dagonet, by
my faith. Then anon was Dagonet armed him in Mordred's harness and his
shield, and he was set on a great horse, and a spear in his hand. Now,
said Dagonet, shew me the knight, and I trow I shall bear him down. So
all these knights rode to a woodside, and abode till King Mark came by
the way. Then they put forth Sir Dagonet, and he came on all the while
his horse might run, straight upon King Mark. And when he came nigh King
Mark, he cried as he were wood, and said: Keep thee, knight of Cornwall,
for I wil