Ah sirs, said Sir
Launcelot, is there none other grace with you? then keep yourself.

So then Sir Launcelot set all open the chamber door, and mightily and
knightly he strode in amongst them; and anon at the first buffet he slew
Sir Agravaine. And twelve of his fellows after, within a little while
after, he laid them cold to the earth, for there was none of the twelve
that might stand Sir Launcelot one buffet. Also Sir Launcelot wounded
Sir Mordred, and he fled with all his might. And then Sir Launcelot
returned again unto the queen, and said: Madam, now wit you well all our
true love is brought to an end, for now will King Arthur ever be my
foe; and therefore, madam, an it like you that I may have you with me,
I shall save you from all manner adventures dangerous. That is not best,
said the queen; meseemeth now ye have done so much harm, it will be best
ye hold you still with this. And if ye see that as to-morn they will put
me unto the death, then may ye rescue me as ye think best. I will well,
said Sir Launcelot, for have ye no doubt, while I am living I shall
rescue you. And then he kissed her, and either gave other a ring; and so
there he left the queen, and went until his lodging.

CHAPTER V. How Sir Launcelot came to Sir Bors, and told him how he had
sped, and in what adventure he had been, and how he had escaped.

WHEN Sir Bors saw Sir Launcelot he was never so glad of his home-coming
as he was then. Jesu mercy, said Sir Launcelot, why be ye all armed:
what meaneth this? Sir, said Sir Bors, after ye were departed from us,
we all that be of your blood and your well-willers were so dretched that
some of us leapt out of our beds naked, and some in their dreams caught
naked swords in their hands; therefore, said Sir Bors, we deem there is
some great strife at hand; and then we all deemed that ye were betrapped
with some treason, and therefore we made us thus ready, what need that
ever ye were in.

My fair nephew, said Sir Launcelot unto Sir Bors, now shall ye wit all,
that this night I was more harder bestead than ever I was in my life,
and yet I escaped. And so he told them all how and in what manner, as
ye have heard to-fore. And therefore, my fellows, said Sir Launcelot, I
pray you all that ye will be of good heart in what need somever I stand,
for now is war come to us all. Sir, said Bors, all is welcome that God
sendeth us, and we have had much weal with you and much worship, and
therefore we will take