Now when Sir Launcelot beheld how those three knights attacked that one knight, he said to himself:  “Of a surety, yonder knight is in a very sorry way.  I will do what I can to help him; for it is a shame to behold three knights attack one knight in that way.  And if he be slain in this assault, meseems I shall be a party to his death.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot goeth to the rescue of the knight assaulted] Therewith he ran and put his armor upon him, and made ready for battle.  Then he drew the sheet from his bed, and he tied the sheet to the bar of the window and by it he let himself quickly down to the ground not far from where those knights were doing battle.  So being safely arrived in that way he cried out in a very loud voice:  “Messires, leave that knight whom ye assail, and turn to me, for I have a mind to do battle with you myself.”

Then one of those knights, speaking very fiercely, said:  “Who are you, and what business have you here?”

“It matters not who I am,” said Sir Launcelot, “but I will not have it that you three shall attack that one without first having had to do with me.”

“Very well,” said that knight who had spoken, “you shall presently have your will of that.”

Therewith he and his fellows immediately descended from their horses, and drew their swords and came at Sir Launcelot upon three sides at once.  Then Sir Launcelot set his back against the gate and prepared to defend himself.

Therewith that knight whom he would defend immediately got down from his horse with intent to come to the aid of Sir Launcelot, but Sir Launcelot forbade him very fiercely, saying:  “Let be, Sir Knight, this is my quarrel, and you shall not meddle in it.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot does battle with three knights] Upon this, those three knights rushed upon him very furiously, and they struck at him all at once, smiting at him wherever they could and with all their might and main.  So Sir Launcelot had much ado to defend himself from their assault.  But he made shift that they should not all rush in upon him at once, and by and by he found his chance with one of them.  Whereupon he turned suddenly upon that one, and suddenly he lashed so terrible a buffet at him that the knight fell down and lay as though he had been struck dead with the force thereof.

Then, ere those other two had recovered themselves, he ran at a second and struck him so fierce a blow that his wits left him, and he staggered like a drunken man and ran around and around in a circle, not knowing whither he went.  Then he rushed upon the third and thrust him back with great violence, and as he went back Sir Launcelot struck him, too, as he had struck his companions and therewith that knight dropped his sword and fell down upon his knees and had not power to raise himself up.

Then Sir Launcelot ran to him and snatched off his helmet, and catched him by the hair with intent to cut off his head.  But at that the fallen knight embraced Sir Launcelot about the knees, crying out:  “Spare my life!”