with one spear, Sir Launcelot bore four knights from the saddle.  Lavaine, too, did nobly, for he unhorsed the bold Sir Bedivere and Sir Lucan the Butler.  Then with their swords they smote lustily on the left hand and on the right, and those whom they had come to aid rallying to them, they drove the Knights of the Round Table back a space.  So the fight raged furiously, Launcelot ever being in the thickest of the press and performing such deeds of valour that all marvelled to see him, and would fain know who was the Knight of the Crimson Sleeve.  But the knights of Arthur’s court felt shame of their discomfiture, and, in especial, those of Launcelot’s kin were wroth that one should appear who seemed mightier even than Launcelot’s self.  So they called to each other and, making a rally, directed all their force against the stranger knight who had so turned the fortunes of the day.  With lances in rest, Sir Lionel, Sir Bors, and Sir Ector, bore down together upon Sir Launcelot, and Sir Bors’ spear pierced Sir Launcelot and brought him to the earth, leaving the spear head broken off in his side.  This Sir Lavaine saw, and immediately, with all his might, he rode upon the King of Scots, unhorsed him and took his horse to Sir Launcelot.  Now Sir Launcelot felt as if he had got his death-wound, but such was his spirit that he was resolved to do some great deed while yet his strength remained.  So, with Lavaine’s aid, he got upon the horse, took a spear and, laying it in rest, bore down, one after the other, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Ector.  Next he flung him into the thickest of the fight, and before the trumpets sounded the signal to cease, he had unhorsed thirty good knights.

Then the Kings of Scotland and Ireland came to Sir Launcelot and said:  “Sir Knight, we thank you for the service done us this day.  And now, we pray you, come with us to receive the prize which is rightly yours; for never have we seen such deeds as ye have done this day.”  “My fair lords,” answered Sir Launcelot, “for aught that I have accomplished, I am like to pay dearly; I beseech you, suffer me to depart.”  With these words, he rode away full gallop, followed by Sir Lavaine; and when he had come to a little wood, he called Lavaine to him, saying:  “Gentle Knight, I entreat you, draw forth this spear head, for it nigh slayeth me.”  “Oh! my dear lord,” said Lavaine, “I fear sore to draw it forth lest ye die.”  “If ye love me, draw it out,” answered Launcelot.  So Lavaine did as he was bidden, and, with a deathly groan, Sir Launcelot fell in a swoon to the ground.  When he was a little recovered, he begged Lavaine to help him to his horse and lead him to a hermitage hard by where dwelt a hermit who, in bygone days, had been known to Launcelot for a good knight and true.  So with pain and difficulty they journeyed to the hermitage, Lavaine oft fearing that Sir Launcelot would die.  And when the hermit saw Sir Launcelot, all pale and besmeared with blood, he scarce knew him for the bold Sir Launcelot du Lac; but he bore him within and dressed his wound and bade him be of good cheer, for he should recover.  So there Sir Launcelot abode many weeks and Sir Lavaine with him; for Lavaine would not leave him, such love had he for the good knight he had taken for his lord.