And so he came to Sir Bors, and said, “Fair knight, I pray you, be not displeased, for here must a better knight than ye are have this battle; therefore I pray you to withdraw you; for I would ye knew I have had this day a right great journey, and this battle ought to be mine, and so I promised you when I spake with you last, and with all my heart I thank you for your good will.” Then Sir Bors rode unto King Arthur, and told him how there was a knight come that would have the battle for to fight for the Queen. “What knight is he?” said King Arthur. “I cannot show you,” said Sir Bors, “but such a covenant made he with me for to be here this day. Now, my lord,” said Sir Bors, “here am I discharged.” Then the King called unto the knight, and asked him “if he would fight for the Queen?” Then he answered unto the King, “Therefore came I hither; and, therefore, Sir King,” he said, “tarry me no longer, for I may not tarry; for anon as I have finished this battle, I must depart hence, for I have to do many matters elsewhere: for wit ye well,” said that knight, “this is dishonor unto you, all knights of the Round Table, to see and know so noble a lady and so courteous a Queen, as Queen Guenever is, thus to be rebuked and shamed among you.”
Sir Launcelot`s spear held
Then marveled they all what knight that might be, that so took the battle upon him; but there was not one that knew him but if it were Sir Bors. “Then,” said Sir Mador de la Port unto the King, “now let me wit with whom I shall have to do withal.” And then they rode to the list`s end, and there they couched their spears, and ran the one against the other with all their mights: and Sir Mador`s spear brake all to pieces; but Sir Launcelot`s spear held, and bare Sir Mador`s horse and all backward to the ground, and had a great fall; but mightily and suddenly he avoided his horse, and dressed his shield before him, and then drew his sword, and bade that other knight alight and do battle with him on foot. Then that knight descended lightly from his horse like a valiant man, and put his shield afore him, and drew out his sword. And so they came eagerly to battle, and either gave other many sad strokes, tracing and traversing, racing and foyning, and hurtling together with their swords, as they had been two wild boars.
Read More about Launcelot`s Tourney part 2
