the hair and drew his neck forward. And he
whirled up his sword and he smote Sir Godwin's head from his body so
that it rolled down upon the stones of the courtyard.

Now when the followers of Sir Godwin beheld how their master was slain
they were seized with a great terror of death insomuch that they crowded
away to the extremities of the courtyard like to rats caught in a pit.
And they held up their hands and cried aloud, "Mercy! Mercy!"

Then Sir Lamorack, panting for breath from his fight and leaning upon
his sword, said, "Take your mercy." And he said, "Where is the major of
this castle?" They say, "We will get him for you, lord," and therewith
several ran upon that errand. Anon they came bringing a fat old man all
trembling and quaking with fear. This fat old man kneeled down before
Sir Lamorack, and Sir Lamorack said, "Art thou the major of this place?"
And he said, "Yea, Messire." Sir Lamorack said, "What captives have ye
here?" to the which the major replied, "There be seven captives, and
four of those seven are ladies." Sir Lamorack said, "Take us to them."

So upon the command of Sir Lamorack the major arose from his knees,
trembling with fear. And he conducted Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival to
the keep of the castle and to the secret dungeons that were within the
keep. There they found and liberated those seven poor and miserable
creatures who were held prisoners in that place.

[Sidenote: _Sir Lamorack liberates the castle captives._]

Amongst those ladies who were captive was the lady of Sir Tarn, and
amongst the knights who were captive was Sir Percevant of Hind. All
these seven captives Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival liberated and they
gave great praise and loud acclaim to those two most worthy champions
who had set them free from their piteous and miserable durance.

Then Sir Lamorack said, "Where is the treasure of this castle?" and in
obedience to that command, the major conducted Sir Lamorack and Sir
Percival to the treasure-house. There they found twelve great chests
full of treasure, which same Sir Godwin had gathered by murder and
robbery and rapine.

Then Sir Lamorack said: "Let this treasure be divided equally amongst
these captives so that they may be recompensed for all the misery they
have suffered."

So it was done as he commanded and thus it was that those who had been
so sad in captivity were made glad in their liberation. Nor would Sir
Lamorack take any of that treasure for himself