And therefore by my will I would have driven him away for jealousy that I had of his life,for it may be no young knight's deed that shall enchieve this adventure to the end.Pardieu,said Sir Launcelot,it is well said,and where ye are called the Damosel Maledisant I will call you the Damosel Bienpensant.
And so they rode forth a great while unto they came to the border of the country of Surluse,and there they found a fair village with a strong bridge like a fortress.And when Sir Launcelot and they were at the bridge there stert forth afore them of gentlemen and yeomen many,that said:Fair lords,ye may not pass this bridge and this fortress because of that black shield that I see one of you bear,and therefore there shall not pass but one of you at once;therefore choose you which of you shall enter within this bridge first.Then Sir Launcelot proffered himself first to enter within this bridge.Sir,said La Cote Male Taile,Ibeseech you let me enter within this fortress,and if I may speed well I will send for you,and if it happened that I be slain,there it goeth.And if so be that I am a prisoner taken,then may ye rescue me.I am loath,said Sir Launcelot,to let you pass this passage.Sir,said La Cote Male Taile,I pray you let me put my body in this adventure.Now go your way,said Sir Launcelot,and Jesu be your speed.
So he entered,and anon there met with him two brethren,the one hight Sir Plaine de Force,and the other hight Sir Plaine de Amours.And anon they met with Sir La Cote Male Taile;and first La Cote Male Taile smote down Plaine de Force,and after he smote down Plaine de Amours;and then they dressed them to their shields and swords,and bade La Cote Male Taile alight,and so he did;and there was dashing and foining with swords,and so they began to assail full hard La Cote Male Taile,and many great wounds they gave him upon his head,and upon his breast,and upon his shoulders.And as he might ever among he gave sad strokes again.And then the two brethren traced and traversed for to be of both hands of Sir La Cote Male Taile,but he by fine force and knightly prowess gat them afore him.And then when he felt himself so wounded,then he doubled his strokes,and gave them so many wounds that he felled them to the earth,and would have slain them had they not yielded them.And right so Sir La Cote Male Taile took the best horse that there was of them three,and so rode forth his way to the other fortress and bridge;and there he met with the third brother whose name was Sir Plenorius,a full noble knight,and there they jousted together,and either smote other down,horse and man,to the earth.And then they avoided their horses,and dressed their shields,and drew their swords,and gave many sad strokes,and one while the one knight was afore on the bridge,and another while the other.And thus they fought two hours and more,and never rested.And ever Sir Launcelot and the damosel beheld them.Alas,said the damosel,my knight fighteth passing sore and over long.Now may ye see,said Sir Launcelot,that he is a noble knight,for to consider his first battle,and his grievous wounds;and even forthwithal so wounded as he is,it is marvel that he may endure this long battle with that good knight.
CHAPTER VIII
How La Cote Male Taile was taken prisoner,and after rescued by Sir Launcelot,and how Sir Launcelot overcame four brethren.
THIS meanwhile Sir La Cote Male Taile sank right down upon the earth,what for-wounded and what for-bled he might not stand.
Then the other knight had pity of him,and said:Fair young knight,dismay you not,for had ye been fresh when ye met with me,as I was,I wot well that I should not have endured so long as ye have done;and therefore for your noble deeds of arms I shall show to you kindness and gentleness in all that I may.
And forthwithal this noble knight,Sir Plenorius,took him up in his arms,and led him into his tower.And then he commanded him the wine,and made to search him and to stop his bleeding wounds.
Sir,said La Cote Male Taile,withdraw you from me,and hie you to yonder bridge again,for there will meet with you another manner knight than ever was I.Why,said Plenorius,is there another manner knight behind of your fellowship?Yea,said La Cote Male Taile,there is a much better knight than I am.What is his name?said Plenorius.Ye shall not know for me,said La Cote Male Taile.Well,said the knight,he shall be encountered withal whatsomever he be.
Then Sir Plenorius heard a knight call that said:Sir Plenorius,where art thou?either thou must deliver me the prisoner that thou hast led unto thy tower,or else come and do battle with me.
Then Plenorius gat his horse,and came with a spear in his hand walloping toward Sir Launcelot;and then they began to feutre their spears,and came together as thunder,and smote either other so mightily that their horses fell down under them.And then they avoided their horses,and pulled out their swords,and like two bulls they lashed together with great strokes and foins;but ever Sir Launcelot recovered ground upon him,and Sir Plenorius traced to have gone about him.But Sir Launcelot would not suffer that,but bare him backer and backer,till he came nigh his tower gate.And then said Sir Launcelot:I know thee well for a good knight,but wit thou well thy life and death is in my hand,and therefore yield thee to me,and thy prisoner.
The other answered no word,but struck mightily upon Sir Launcelot's helm,that the fire sprang out of his eyes.Then Sir Launcelot doubled his strokes so thick,and smote at him so mightily,that he made him kneel upon his knees.And therewith Sir Launcelot leapt upon him,and pulled him grovelling down.
Then Sir Plenorius yielded him,and his tower,and all his prisoners at his will.