pped, Sir Gawaine and all his brethren were in King Arthur's
chamber; and then Sir Agravaine said thus openly, and not in no counsel,
that many knights might hear it: I marvel that we all be not ashamed
both to see and to know how Sir Launcelot lieth daily and nightly by the
queen, and all we know it so; and it is shamefully suffered of us all,
that we all should suffer so noble a king as King Arthur is so to be
shamed.

Then spake Sir Gawaine, and said: Brother Sir Agravaine, I pray you and
charge you move no such matters no more afore me, for wit you well, said
Sir Gawaine, I will not be of your counsel. So God me help, said Sir
Gaheris and Sir Gareth, we will not be knowing, brother Agravaine, of
your deeds. Then will I, said Sir Mordred. I lieve well that, said Sir
Gawaine, for ever unto all unhappiness, brother Sir Mordred, thereto
will ye grant; and I would that ye left all this, and made you not so
busy, for I know, said Sir Gawaine, what will fall of it. Fall of it
what fall may, said Sir Agravaine, I will disclose it to the king. Not
by my counsel, said Sir Gawaine, for an there rise war and wrack betwixt
Sir Launcelot and us, wit you well brother, there will many kings and
great lords hold with Sir Launcelot. Also, brother Sir Agravaine, said
Sir Gawaine, ye must remember how ofttimes Sir Launcelot hath rescued
the king and the queen; and the best of us all had been full cold at the
heart-root had not Sir Launcelot been better than we, and that hath he
proved himself full oft. And as for my part, said Sir Gawaine, I will
never be against Sir Launcelot for one day's deed, when he rescued me
from King Carados of the Dolorous Tower, and slew him, and saved my
life. Also, brother Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, in like wise Sir
Launcelot rescued you both, and threescore and two, from Sir Turquin.
Methinketh brother, such kind deeds and kindness should be remembered.
Do as ye list, said Sir Agravaine, for I will lain it no longer. With
these words came to them King Arthur. Now brother, stint your noise,
said Sir Gawaine. We will not, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred. Will
ye so? said Sir Gawaine; then God speed you, for I will not hear your
tales ne be of your counsel. No more will I, said Sir Gareth and Sir
Gaheris, for we will never say evil by that man; for because, said Sir
Gareth, Sir Launcelot made me knight, by no manner owe I to say ill of
him: and therewithal they three departed, making great dole. Alas, s