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Chapter III
ThenSirGrifletsmoteupontheshieldwiththebuttofhisspearuntilhecastittotheground.Atthataknightcameoutofthepavilionandsaid,“Fairknight,whysmoteyedownmyshield?”
“Because,”saidGriflet,“Iwouldjoustwiththee.”
“Itwerebetternot,”repliedtheknight;“forthouartyoungandbutlatelymadeaknight,andthystrengthissmallcomparedtomine.”
“Forallthat,”saidSirGriflet,“Iwilljoustwithye.”
“Iamfullloath,”repliedtheknight;“butifImustImust.”
Thendidtheywheeltheirhorsesfarapart,andrunningthemtogether,thestrangeknightshiveredSirGriflet’sspeartofragments,andsmotehimthroughtheshieldandtheleftside,andbrokehisownspearintoSirGriflet’sbody,sothatthetruncheonstuckthere,andSirGrifletandhishorsefelldown.Butwhenthestrangeknightsawhimoverthrown,hewassoregrieved,andhastilyalighted,forhethoughtthathehadslainhim.Thenheunlacedhishelmandgavehimair,andtendedhimcarefullytillhecameoutofhisswoon,andleavingthetruncheonofhisspearinhisbody,hesethimuponhorse,andcommendedhimtoGod,andsaidhehadamightyheart,andifhelivedwouldproveapassinggoodknight.AndsoSirGrifletrodetothecourt,where,byaidofgoodphysicians,hewashealedintimeandhislifesaved.
Atthatsametimetherecamebeforethekingtwelveoldmen,ambassadorsfromLuciusTiberius,EmperorofRome,anddemandedofArthurtributeuntoCaesarforhisrealm,orelse,saidthey,theemperorwoulddestroybothhimandhisland.
