he time that ever they came into this country. Then
spake seven brethren of North Wales, and they were seven noble knights;
a man might seek in seven kings' lands or he might find such seven
knights. Then they all said at once: Sir Launcelot, for Christ's sake
let us out ride with Sir Galihud, for we be never wont to cower in
castles nor in noble towns.

Then spake Sir Launcelot, that was master and governor of them all: My
fair lords, wit you well I am full loath to ride out with my knights for
shedding of Christian blood; and yet my lands I understand be full bare
for to sustain any host awhile, for the mighty wars that whilom made
King Claudas upon this country, upon my father King Ban, and on mine
uncle King Bors; howbeit we will as at this time keep our strong walls,
and I shall send a messenger unto my lord Arthur, a treaty for to take;
for better is peace than always war.

So Sir Launcelot sent forth a damosel and a dwarf with her, requiring
King Arthur to leave his warring upon his lands; and so she start upon
a palfrey, and the dwarf ran by her side. And when she came to the
pavilion of King Arthur, there she alighted; and there met her a gentle
knight, Sir Lucan the Butler, and said: Fair damosel, come ye from Sir
Launcelot du Lake? Yea sir, she said, therefore I come hither to speak
with my lord the king. Alas, said Sir Lucan, my lord Arthur would love
Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine will not suffer him. And then he said: I pray
to God, damosel, ye may speed well, for all we that be about the king
would Sir Launcelot did best of any knight living. And so with this
Lucan led the damosel unto the king where he sat with Sir Gawaine, for
to hear what she would say. So when she had told her tale, the water ran
out of the king's eyen, and all the lords were full glad for to advise
the king as to be accorded with Sir Launcelot, save all only Sir
Gawaine, and he said: My lord mine uncle, what will ye do? Will ye now
turn again, now ye are passed thus far upon this journey? all the
world will speak of your villainy. Nay, said Arthur, wit thou well, Sir
Gawaine, I will do as ye will advise me; and yet meseemeth, said Arthur,
his fair proffers were not good to be refused; but sithen I am come so
far upon this journey, I will that ye give the damosel her answer, for I
may not speak to her for pity, for her proffers be so large.

CHAPTER XX. What message Sir Gawaine sent to Sir Launcelot; and how King
Arthur laid siege t