the book saith he had lain in await for to steal
away the queen, but evermore he forbare for because of Sir Launcelot;
for in no wise he would meddle with the queen an Sir Launcelot were in
her company, outher else an he were near-hand her. And that time was
such a custom, the queen rode never without a great fellowship of men of
arms about her, and they were many good knights, and the most part were
young men that would have worship; and they were called the Queen's
Knights, and never in no battle, tournament, nor jousts, they bare none
of them no manner of knowledging of their own arms, but plain white
shields, and thereby they were called the Queen's Knights. And then when
it happed any of them to be of great worship by his noble deeds, then at
the next Feast of Pentecost, if there were any slain or dead, as there
was none year that there failed but some were dead, then was there
chosen in his stead that was dead the most men of worship, that were
called the Queen's Knights. And thus they came up all first, or they
were renowned men of worship, both Sir Launcelot and all the remnant of
them.

But this knight, Sir Meliagrance, had espied the queen well and her
purpose, and how Sir Launcelot was not with her, and how she had no
men of arms with her but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for
Maying. Then he purveyed him a twenty men of arms and an hundred archers
for to destroy the queen and her knights, for he thought that time was
best season to take the queen.

CHAPTER II. How Sir Meliagrance took the queen and her knights, which
were sore hurt in fighting.

SO as the queen had Mayed and all her knights, all were bedashed with
herbs, mosses and flowers, in the best manner and freshest. Right
so came out of a wood Sir Meliagrance with an eight score men well
harnessed, as they should fight in a battle of arrest, and bade the
queen and her knights abide, for maugre their heads they should abide.
Traitor knight, said Queen Guenever, what cast thou for to do? Wilt thou
shame thyself? Bethink thee how thou art a king's son, and knight of the
Table Round, and thou to be about to dishonour the noble king that made
thee knight; thou shamest all knighthood and thyself, and me, I let thee
wit, shalt thou never shame, for I had liefer cut mine own throat in
twain rather than thou shouldest dishonour me. As for all this language,
said Sir Meliagrance, be it as it be may, for wit you well, madam, I
have loved yo