t either bare other through, and so they fell both to the
earth; and then the battles joined, and there was much slaughter on
both parties. Then Sir Launcelot rescued Sir Bors, and sent him into the
castle; but neither Sir Gawaine nor Sir Bors died not of their wounds,
for they were all holpen. Then Sir Lavaine and Sir Urre prayed Sir
Launcelot to do his pain, and fight as they had done; For we see ye
forbear and spare, and that doth much harm; therefore we pray you spare
not your enemies no more than they do you. Alas, said Sir Launcelot, I
have no heart to fight against my lord Arthur, for ever meseemeth I do
not as I ought to do. My lord, said Sir Palomides, though ye spare them
all this day they will never con you thank; and if they may get you at
avail ye are but dead. So then Sir Launcelot understood that they said
him truth; and then he strained himself more than he did aforehand, and
because his nephew Sir Bors was sore wounded. And then within a little
while, by evensong time, Sir Launcelot and his party better stood, for
their horses went in blood past the fetlocks, there was so much people
slain. And then for pity Sir Launcelot withheld his knights, and
suffered King Arthur's party for to withdraw them aside. And then Sir
Launcelot's party withdrew them into his castle, and either parties
buried the dead, and put salve unto the wounded men.

So when Sir Gawaine was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were not so
orgulous as they were toforehand to do battle. Of this war was noised
through all Christendom, and at the last it was noised afore the
Pope; and he considering the great goodness of King Arthur, and of
Sir Launcelot, that was called the most noblest knights of the world,
wherefore the Pope called unto him a noble clerk that at that time was
there present; the French book saith, it was the Bishop of Rochester;
and the Pope gave him bulls under lead unto King Arthur of England,
charging him upon pain of interdicting of all England, that he take his
queen Dame Guenever unto him again, and accord with Sir Launcelot.

CHAPTER XIV. How the Pope sent down his bulls to make peace, and how Sir
Launcelot brought the queen to King Arthur.

SO when this Bishop was come to Carlisle he shewed the king these bulls.
And when the king understood these bulls he nist what to do: full fain
he would have been accorded with Sir Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine would
not suffer him; but as for to have the queen, thereto he a