o Benwick, and other matters.

THEN Sir Gawaine said to the damosel thus: Damosel, say ye to Sir
Launcelot that it is waste labour now to sue to mine uncle; for tell
him, an he would have made any labour for peace, he should have made
it or this time, for tell him now it is too late; and say that I, Sir
Gawaine, so send him word, that I promise him by the faith I owe unto
God and to knighthood, I shall never leave him till he have slain me
or I him. So the damosel wept and departed, and there were many weeping
eyen; and so Sir Lucan brought the damosel to her palfrey, and so she
came to Sir Launcelot where he was among all his knights. And when Sir
Launcelot had heard this answer, then the tears ran down by his cheeks.
And then his noble knights strode about him, and said: Sir Launcelot,
wherefore make ye such cheer, think what ye are, and what men we are,
and let us noble knights match them in midst of the field. That may be
lightly done, said Sir Launcelot, but I was never so loath to do battle,
and therefore I pray you, fair sirs, as ye love me, be ruled as I will
have you, for I will always flee that noble king that made me knight.
And when I may no further, I must needs defend me, and that will be more
worship for me and us all than to compare with that noble king whom we
have all served. Then they held their language, and as that night they
took their rest.

And upon the morn early, in the dawning of the day, as knights looked
out, they saw the city of Benwick besieged round about; and fast they
began to set up ladders, and then they defied them out of the town, and
beat them from the walls wightly. Then came forth Sir Gawaine well armed
upon a stiff steed, and he came before the chief gate, with his spear
in his hand, crying: Sir Launcelot, where art thou? is there none of you
proud knights dare break a spear with me? Then Sir Bors made him ready,
and came forth out of the town, and there Sir Gawaine encountered with
Sir Bors. And at that time he smote Sir Bors down from his horse, and
almost he had slain him; and so Sir Bors was rescued and borne into the
town. Then came forth Sir Lionel, brother to Sir Bors, and thought to
revenge him; and either feutred their spears, and ran together; and
there they met spitefully, but Sir Gawaine had such grace that he smote
Sir Lionel down, and wounded him there passing sore; and then Sir Lionel
was rescued and borne into the town. And this Sir Gawaine came every
day, and