, and the most part were knights of the Table Round, that were
proved noble knights; and there were old knights set in scaffolds for to
judge, with the queen, who did best.

CHAPTER XXIII. How Sir Launcelot behaved him at the jousts, and other
men also.

THEN they blew to the field; and there the King of Northgalis
encountered with the King of Scots, and there the King of Scots had a
fall; and the King of Ireland smote down King Uriens; and the King of
Northumberland smote down King Howel of Brittany; and Sir Galahad, the
haut prince, smote down Chaleins of Clarance. And then King Arthur was
wood wroth, and ran to the King with the Hundred Knights, and there King
Arthur smote him down; and after with that same spear King Arthur smote
down three other knights. And then when his spear was broken King Arthur
did passingly well; and so therewithal came in Sir Gawaine and Sir
Gaheris, Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, and there everych of them smote
down a knight, and Sir Gawaine smote down four knights; and then there
began a strong medley, for then there came in the knights of Launcelot's
blood, and Sir Gareth and Sir Palomides with them, and many knights of
the Table Round, and they began to hold the four kings and the mighty
duke so hard that they were discomfit; but this Duke Galahad, the haut
prince, was a noble knight, and by his mighty prowess of arms he held
the knights of the Table Round strait enough.

All this doing saw Sir Launcelot, and then he came into the field with
Sir Lavaine as it had been thunder. And then anon Sir Bors and the
knights of his blood espied Sir Launcelot, and said to them all: I
warn you beware of him with the sleeve of gold upon his head, for he is
himself Sir Launcelot du Lake; and for great goodness Sir Bors warned
Sir Gareth. I am well apaid, said Sir Gareth, that I may know him. But
who is he, said they all, that rideth with him in the same array?
That is the good and gentle knight Sir Lavaine, said Sir Bors. So Sir
Launcelot encountered with Sir Gawaine, and there by force Sir Launcelot
smote down Sir Gawaine and his horse to the earth, and so he smote down
Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and also he smote down Sir Mordred, and
all this was with one spear. Then Sir Lavaine met with Sir Palomides,
and either met other so hard and so fiercely that both their horses
fell to the earth. And then were they horsed again, and then met Sir
Launcelot with Sir Palomides, and there Sir Palom