called him false
recreant knight.

Then when Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Lionel, heard
this outcry, they called to them Sir Palomides, Sir Safere's brother,
and Sir Lavaine, with many more of their blood, and all they went unto
Sir Launcelot, and said thus: My lord Sir Launcelot, wit ye well we
have great scorn of the great rebukes that we heard Gawaine say to you;
wherefore we pray you, and charge you as ye will have our service, keep
us no longer within these walls; for wit you well plainly, we will ride
into the field and do battle with them; for ye fare as a man that were
afeard, and for all your fair speech it will not avail you. For wit you
well Sir Gawaine will not suffer you to be accorded with King Arthur,
and therefore fight for your life and your right, an ye dare. Alas, said
Sir Launcelot, for to ride out of this castle, and to do battle, I am
full loath.

Then Sir Launcelot spake on high unto Sir Arthur and Sir Gawaine: My
lords, I require you and beseech you, sithen that I am thus required and
conjured to ride into the field, that neither you, my lord King Arthur,
nor you Sir Gawaine, come not into the field. What shall we do then?
said Sir Gawaine, [N]is this the king's quarrel with thee to fight? and
it is my quarrel to fight with thee, Sir Launcelot, because of the
death of my brother Sir Gareth. Then must I needs unto battle, said Sir
Launcelot. Now wit you well, my lord Arthur and Sir Gawaine, ye will
repent it whensomever I do battle with you.

And so then they departed either from other; and then either party made
them ready on the morn for to do battle, and great purveyance was made
on both sides; and Sir Gawaine let purvey many knights for to wait upon
Sir Launcelot, for to overset him and to slay him. And on the morn at
underne Sir Arthur was ready in the field with three great hosts. And
then Sir Launcelot's fellowship came out at three gates, in a full good
array; and Sir Lionel came in the foremost battle, and Sir Launcelot
came in the middle, and Sir Bors came out at the third gate. Thus they
came in order and rule, as full noble knights; and always Sir Launcelot
charged all his knights in any wise to save King Arthur and Sir Gawaine.

CHAPTER XIII. How Sir Gawaine jousted and smote down Sir Lionel, and how
Sir Launcelot horsed King Arthur.

THEN came forth Sir Gawaine from the king's host, and he came before and
proffered to joust. And Sir Lionel was a fierce kn