For as the French book saith,Sir Pelleas gave such buffets there that none armour might hold him.
CHAPTER III
How Sir Launcelot had word how the queen was taken,and how Sir Meliagrance laid a bushment for Launcelot THEN by the queen's commandment they left battle,and dressed the wounded knights on horseback,some sitting,some overthwart their horses,that it was pity to behold them.And then Sir Meliagrance charged the queen and all her knights that none of all her fellowship should depart from her;for full sore he dread Sir Launcelot du Lake,lest he should have any knowledging.All this espied the queen,and privily she called unto her a child of her chamber that was swiftly horsed,to whom she said:
Go thou,when thou seest thy time,and bear this ring unto Sir Launcelot du Lake,and pray him as he loveth me that he will see me and rescue me,if ever he will have joy of me;and spare not thy horse,said the queen,neither for water,neither for land.So the child espied his time,and lightly he took his horse with the spurs,and departed as fast as he might.And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so flee,he understood that it was by the queen's commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot.Then they that were best horsed chased him and shot at him,but from them all the child went suddenly.And then Sir Meliagrance said to the queen:Madam,ye are about to betray me,but Ishall ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you.And then he rode with her,and they all,to his castle,in all the haste that they might.And by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an embushment the best archers that he might get in his country,to the number of thirty,to await upon Sir Launcelot,charging them that if they saw such a manner of knight come by the way upon a white horse,that in any wise they slay his horse,but in no manner of wise have not ado with him bodily,for he is over-hardy to be overcome.
So this was done,and they were come to his castle,but in no wise the queen would never let none of the ten knights and her ladies out of her sight,but always they were in her presence;for the book saith,Sir Meliagrance durst make no masteries,for dread of Sir Launcelot,insomuch he deemed that he had warning.So when the child was departed from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance,within a while he came to Westminster,and anon he found Sir Launcelot.And when he had told his message,and delivered him the queen's ring:Alas,said Sir Launcelot,now I am shamed for ever,unless that I may rescue that noble lady from dishonour.Then eagerly he asked his armour;and ever the child told Sir Launcelot how the ten knights fought marvellously,and how Sir Pelleas,and Sir Ironside,and Sir Brandiles,and Sir Persant of Inde,fought strongly,but namely Sir Pelleas,there might none withstand him;and how they all fought till at the last they were laid to the earth;and then the queen made appointment for to save their lives,and go with Sir Meliagrance.
Alas,said Sir Launcelot,that most noble lady,that she should be so destroyed;I had liefer,said Sir Launcelot,than all France,that I had been there well armed.So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse,he prayed the child of the queen's chamber to warn Sir Lavaine how suddenly he was departed,and for what cause.
And pray him as he loveth me,that he will hie him after me,and that he stint not until he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth,or dwelleth;for there,said Sir Launcelot,he shall hear of me an I am a man living,and rescue the queen and the ten knights the which he traitorously hath taken,and that shall I prove upon his head,and all them that hold with him.
CHAPTER IV
How Sir Launcelot's horse was slain,and how Sir Launcelot rode in a cart for to rescue the queen THEN Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might,and the book saith he took the water at Westminster Bridge,and made his horse to swim over Thames unto Lambeth.
And then within a while he came to the same place thereas the ten noble knights fought with Sir Meliagrance.And then Sir Launcelot followed the track until that he came to a wood,and there was a straight way,and there the thirty archers bade Sir Launcelot turn again,and follow no longer that track.What commandment have ye thereto,said Sir Launcelot,to cause me that am a knight of the Round Table to leave my right way?This way shalt thou leave,other-else thou shalt go it on thy foot,for wit thou well thy horse shall be slain.That is little mastery,said Sir Launcelot,to slay mine horse;but as for myself,when my horse is slain,I give right nought for you,not an ye were five hundred more.So then they shot Sir Launcelot's horse,and smote him with many arrows;and then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse,and went on foot;but there were so many ditches and hedges betwixt them and him that he might not meddle with none of them.Alas for shame,said Launcelot,that ever one knight should betray another knight;but it is an old saw,A good man is never in danger but when he is in the danger of a coward.Then Sir Launcelot went a while,and then he was foul cumbered of his armour,his shield,and his spear,and all that longed unto him.Wit ye well he was full sore annoyed,and full loath he was for to leave anything that longed unto him,for he dread sore the treason of Sir Meliagrance.
Then by fortune there came by him a chariot that came thither for to fetch wood.Say me,carter,said Sir Launcelot,what shall I give thee to suffer me to leap into thy chariot,and that thou bring me unto a castle within this two mile?Thou shalt not come within my chariot,said the carter,for I am sent for to fetch wood for my lord,Sir Meliagrance.With him would I speak.