One day, there came to Sir Launcelot seven brethren, brave knights of Wales, who had joined their fortunes to his, and said:  “Sir Launcelot, bid us sally forth against this host which has invaded and laid waste your lands, and we will scatter it; for we are not wont to cower behind walls.”  “Fair lords,” answered Launcelot, “it is grief to me to war on good Christian knights, and especially on my lord, King Arthur.  Have but patience and I will send to him and see if, even now, there may not be a treaty of peace between us; for better far is peace than war.”  So Sir Launcelot sought out a damsel and, mounting her upon a palfrey, bade her ride to King Arthur’s camp and require of the King to cease warring on his lands, proffering fair terms of peace.  When the damsel came to the camp, there met her Sir Lucan the Butler, “Fair damsel,” said Sir Lucan, “do ye come from Sir Launcelot?” “Yea, in good truth,” said the damsel; “and, I pray you, lead me to King Arthur.”  “Now, may ye prosper in your errand,” said Sir Lucan.  “Our King loves Sir Launcelot dearly and wishes him well; but Sir Gawain will not suffer him to be reconciled to him.”  So when the damsel had come before the King, she told him all her tale, and much she said of Sir Launcelot’s love and good-will to his lord the King, so that the tears stood in Arthur’s eyes.  But Sir Gawain broke in roughly:  “My Lord and uncle, shall it be said of us that we came hither with such a host to hie us home again, nothing done, to be the scoff of all men?” “Nephew,” said the King, “methinks Sir Launcelot offers fair and generously.  It were well if ye would accept his proffer.  Nevertheless, as the quarrel is yours, so shall the answer be.”  “Then, damsel,” said Sir Gawain, “say unto Sir Launcelot that the time for peace is past.  And tell him that I, Sir Gawain, swear by the faith I owe to knighthood that never will I forego my revenge.”

So the damsel returned to Sir Launcelot and told him all.  Sir Launcelot’s heart was filled with grief nigh unto breaking; but his knights were enraged and clamoured that he had endured too much of insult and wrong, and that he should lead them forth to battle.  Sir Launcelot armed him sorrowfully, and presently the gates were set open and he rode forth, he and all his company.  But to all his knights he had given commandment that none should seek King Arthur; “For never,” said he, “will I see the noble King, who made me knight, either killed or shamed.”

Fierce was the battle between those two hosts.  On Launcelot’s side, Sir Bors and Sir Lavaine and many another did right well; while on the other side, King Arthur bore him as the noble knight he was, and Sir Gawain raged through the battle, seeking to come at Sir Launcelot.  Presently, Sir Bors encountered with King Arthur, and unhorsed him.  This Sir Launcelot saw and, coming to the King’s side, he alighted and, raising him from the ground, mounted him upon his own horse.  Then King Arthur, looking