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Chapter VIII
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“Iamnoknight,”saidSirGawain;“IhavebeenbroughtupmanyyearsinthewardrobeofthenobleprinceKingArthur,tomindhisarmourandarray.”
“Ah,”saidPrianius,“ifhisvarletsbesokeenandfierce,hisknightsmustbepassinggood!Now,fortheloveofheaven,whetherthoubeknightorknave,tellmethyname.”
“Byheaven!”saidGawain,“nowwillItelltheethetruth.MynameisSirGawain,andIamaknightoftheRoundTable.”
“NowamIbetterpleased,”saidPrianius,“thanifthouhadstgivenmealltheprovinceofParistherich.Ihadratherhavebeentornbywildhorsesthanthatanyvarletshouldhavewonsuchvictoryovermeasthouhastdone.Butnow,Sirknight,IwarntheethatclosebyistheDukeofLorraine,withsixtythousandgoodmenofwar;andwehadbothbestfleeatonce,forhewillfinduselse,andwebesorelywoundedandneverlikelytorecover.Andletmypagebecarefulthatheblownohorn,forhardbyareahundredknights,myservants;andiftheyseizethee,noransomofgoldorsilverwouldacquitthee.”
ThenSirGawainrodeoverarivertosavehimself,andSirPrianiusafterhim,andsotheybothfledtilltheycametohiscompanionswhowereinthemeadow,wheretheyspentthenight.WhenSirWhishardsawSirGawainsohurt,herantohimweeping,andaskedhimwhoitwashadwoundedhim;andSirGawaintoldhimhowhehadfoughtwiththatman—pointingtoPrianius—whohadsalvestohealthemboth.“ButIcantellyeothertidings,”saidhe—“thatsoonwemustencountermanyenemies,foragreatarmyisclosetousinourfront.
