Now that time the day had waxed very hot, for it was come high noontide, so presently Sir Turquine cried out:  “Stay thee, Sir Launcelot, for I have a boon to ask!” At this Sir Launcelot stayed his hand and said:  “What is it thou hast to ask, Sir Knight?” Sir Turquine said:  “Messire, I am athirst—­let me drink.”  And Sir Launcelot said:  “Go and drink.”

So Sir Turquine went to that river and entered into that water, which was presently stained with red all about him.  And he stooped where he stood and drank his fill, and presently came forth again altogether refreshed.

Therewith he took up his sword once more and rushed at Sir Launcelot and smote with double strength, so that Sir Launcelot bent before him and had much ado to defend himself from these blows.

Then by and by Sir Launcelot waxed faint upon his part and was athirst, and he cried out:  “I crave of thee a boon, Sir Knight!” “What wouldst thou have?” said Sir Turquine.  “Sir Knight,” said Sir Launcelot, “bide while I drink, for I am athirst.”  “Nay,” said Sir Turquine, “thou shalt not drink until thou quenchest thy thirst in Paradise.”  “Ha!” cried Sir Launcelot, “thou art a foul churl and no true knight.  For when thou wert athirst, I let thee drink; and now that I am athirst, thou deniest me to quench my thirst.”

Therewith he was filled with such anger that he was like one gone wode; wherefore he flung aside his shield and took his sword in both hands and rushed upon Sir Turquine and smote him again and again; and the blows he gave were so fierce that Sir Turquine waxed somewhat bewildered and bore aback, and held his shield low for faintness.

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot overcometh Sir Turquine] Then when Sir Launcelot beheld that Sir Turquine was faint in that wise, he rushed upon him and catched him by the beaver of his helmet and pulled him down upon his knees.  And Sir Launcelot rushed Sir Turquine’s helmet from off his head.  And he lifted his sword and smote Sir Turquine’s head from off his shoulders, so that it rolled down upon the ground.

Then for a while Sir Launcelot stood there panting for to catch his breath after that sore battle, for he was nearly stifled with the heat and fury thereof.  Then he went down into the water, and he staggered like a drunken man as he went, and the water ran all red at his coming.  And Sir Launcelot stooped and slaked his thirst, which was very furious and hot.

Thereafter he came up out of the water again, all dripping, and he went to where the damsel was and he said to her; “Damsel, lo, I have overcome Sir Turquine; now I am ready to go with thee upon that other adventure, as I promised thee I would.”

At this the damsel was astonished beyond measure, wherefore she cried:  “Sir, thou art sorely hurt, and in need of rest for two or three days, and maybe a long time more, until thy wounds are healed.”

“Nay,” said Sir Launcelot, “no need to wait; I will go with thee now.”