w them aback, after they had gotten their horses as well as they
might. O mercy Jesu, said Sir Gawaine, what knight is yonder that doth
so marvellous deeds of arms in that field? I wot well what he is, said
King Arthur, but as at this time I will not name him. Sir, said Sir
Gawaine, I would say it were Sir Launcelot by his riding and his buffets
that I see him deal, but ever meseemeth it should not be he, for that he
beareth the red sleeve upon his head; for I wist him never bear token
at no jousts, of lady nor gentlewoman. Let him be, said King Arthur, he
will be better known, and do more, or ever he depart.

Then the party that was against King Arthur were well comforted, and
then they held them together that beforehand were sore rebuked. Then Sir
Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel called unto them the knights
of their blood, as Sir Blamore de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Aliduke, Sir
Galihud, Sir Galihodin, Sir Bellangere le Beuse. So these nine knights
of Sir Launcelot's kin thrust in mightily, for they were all noble
knights; and they, of great hate and despite that they had unto him,
thought to rebuke that noble knight Sir Launcelot, and Sir Lavaine, for
they knew them not; and so they came hurling together, and smote down
many knights of Northgalis and of Northumberland. And when Sir Launcelot
saw them fare so, he gat a spear in his hand; and there encountered with
him all at once Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel, and all they three
smote him at once with their spears. And with force of themself they
smote Sir Launcelot's horse to the earth; and by misfortune Sir Bors
smote Sir Launcelot through the shield into the side, and the spear
brake, and the head left still in his side.

When Sir Lavaine saw his master lie on the ground, he ran to the King of
Scots and smote him to the earth; and by great force he took his horse,
and brought him to Sir Launcelot, and maugre of them all he made him to
mount upon that horse. And then Launcelot gat a spear in his hand, and
there he smote Sir Bors, horse and man, to the earth. In the same wise
he served Sir Ector and Sir Lionel; and Sir Lavaine smote down Sir
Blamore de Ganis. And then Sir Launcelot drew his sword, for he felt
himself so sore y-hurt that he weened there to have had his death. And
then he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet on the helm that he fell down
to the earth in a swoon. And in the same wise he served Sir Aliduke and
Sir Galihud. And Sir Lavaine smo