Truly, said the queen, I would an it might please God that they
would take me and slay me, and suffer you to escape. That shall never
be, said Sir Launcelot, God defend me from such a shame, but Jesu be
Thou my shield and mine armour!

CHAPTER IV. How Sir Launcelot slew Sir Colgrevance, and armed him in his
harness, and after slew Sir Agravaine, and twelve of his fellows.

AND therewith Sir Launcelot wrapped his mantle about his arm well and
surely; and by then they had gotten a great form out of the hall, and
therewithal they rashed at the door. Fair lords, said Sir Launcelot,
leave your noise and your rashing, and I shall set open this door, and
then may ye do with me what it liketh you. Come off then, said they
all, and do it, for it availeth thee not to strive against us all; and
therefore let us into this chamber, and we shall save thy life until
thou come to King Arthur. Then Launcelot unbarred the door, and with his
left hand he held it open a little, so that but one man might come in
at once; and so there came striding a good knight, a much man and large,
and his name was Colgrevance of Gore, and he with a sword struck at Sir
Launcelot mightily; and he put aside the stroke, and gave him such a
buffet upon the helmet, that he fell grovelling dead within the chamber
door. And then Sir Launcelot with great might drew that dead knight
within the chamber door; and Sir Launcelot with help of the queen and
her ladies was lightly armed in Sir Colgrevance's armour.

And ever stood Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred crying: Traitor-knight,
come out of the queen's chamber. Leave your noise, said Sir Launcelot
unto Sir Agravaine, for wit you well, Sir Agravaine, ye shall not prison
me this night; and therefore an ye do by my counsel, go ye all from this
chamber door, and make not such crying and such manner of slander as ye
do; for I promise you by my knighthood, an ye will depart and make no
more noise, I shall as to-morn appear afore you all before the king,
and then let it be seen which of you all, outher else ye all, that will
accuse me of treason; and there I shall answer you as a knight should,
that hither I came to the queen for no manner of mal engin, and that
will I prove and make it good upon you with my hands. Fie on thee,
traitor, said Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, we will have thee maugre
thy head, and slay thee if we list; for we let thee wit we have the
choice of King Arthur to save thee or to slay thee.