battle. For never knight fought so unless
it was Sir Launcelot. For lo! he himself is the single bulwark against
us in this battle."

So it was that these kinsmen of Sir Launcelot ordained it that they
should join themselves together for to overthrow that knight by main
strength if need be.

[Sidenote: _His kinsmen take battle against Sir Launcelot._]

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot is wounded._]

Then anon the battle was called again and anon each side hurled itself
against the other side, well knowing that at this time it must be else
to conquer or else to lose. And in that charge the kinsmen of Sir
Launcelot hurled themselves against that knight of the red sleeve and
against those who were by him. And Sir Bors and Sir Ector and Sir Lionel
drave three at once at Sir Launcelot and he drave against them--one
against three. But so heavy was the might of the assault of those three,
that they overthrew the horse of Sir Launcelot by the weight of their
three horses so that the horse of Sir Launcelot and Sir Launcelot
himself were cast down upon the earth beneath the feet of the horses of
those who charged against him. And in that charge the spear of Sir Bors
smote Sir Launcelot in the side, and the point of the spear burst
through the armor of Sir Launcelot and pierced deep into his side.
Therewith the head of the spear brake from the truncheon and remained
thrust deep into the side of Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot groaned
aloud, deeming that he had got his death wound.

So Sir Launcelot lay upon the ground and could not rise and he would
maybe have been beaten to death beneath the feet of the horses. But Sir
Lavaine beheld how it was with him, whereat he shouted aloud with a
great voice and he and all that party rushed to the aid of Sir
Launcelot. And Sir Lavaine smote down the King of Scots at one blow
from out of his saddle. And he turned the horse of the King of Scots to
where Sir Launcelot lay. And he stood above Sir Launcelot and defended
him against the assault of all those others who were around about, and
so, maugre their vehement assaults, he brought Sir Launcelot to horse
again.

Then Sir Launcelot was clean wode because of the passion of agony he
suffered from that grievous wound he had got. Wherefore he drew his
sword and he stood up in his stirrups and he smote right and left like a
madman. And he smote down one after the other Sir Lionel and Sir Bors de
Ganis, and he smote Sir Bleoberis such a buffet th