they were laid to the earth; and
then the queen made appointment for to save their lives, and go with Sir
Meliagrance.

Alas, said Sir Launcelot, that most noble lady, that she should be so
destroyed; I had liefer, said Sir Launcelot, than all France, that I
had been there well armed. So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his
horse, he prayed the child of the queen's chamber to warn Sir Lavaine
how suddenly he was departed, and for what cause. And pray him as he
loveth me, that he will hie him after me, and that he stint not until
he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth, or dwelleth; for
there, said Sir Launcelot, he shall hear of me an I am a man living,
and rescue the queen and the ten knights the which he traitorously hath
taken, and that shall I prove upon his head, and all them that hold with
him.

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Launcelot's horse was slain, and how Sir Launcelot
rode in a cart for to rescue the queen.

THEN Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might, and the book saith he took
the water at Westminster Bridge, and made his horse to swim over Thames
unto Lambeth. And then within a while he came to the same place
thereas the ten noble knights fought with Sir Meliagrance. And then Sir
Launcelot followed the track until that he came to a wood, and there
was a straight way, and there the thirty archers bade Sir Launcelot
turn again, and follow no longer that track. What commandment have ye
thereto, said Sir Launcelot, to cause me that am a knight of the Round
Table to leave my right way? This way shalt thou leave, other-else thou
shalt go it on thy foot, for wit thou well thy horse shall be slain.
That is little mastery, said Sir Launcelot, to slay mine horse; but as
for myself, when my horse is slain, I give right nought for you, not an
ye were five hundred more. So then they shot Sir Launcelot's horse, and
smote him with many arrows; and then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse,
and went on foot; but there were so many ditches and hedges betwixt them
and him that he might not meddle with none of them. Alas for shame, said
Launcelot, that ever one knight should betray another knight; but it is
an old saw, A good man is never in danger but when he is in the danger
of a coward. Then Sir Launcelot went a while, and then he was foul
cumbered of his armour, his shield, and his spear, and all that longed
unto him. Wit ye well he was full sore annoyed, and full loath he
was for to leave anything that long