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Chapter XIV
ThenthekingcameforthagainstSirLancelot,butSirLancelotforborehimandwouldnotstrikeagain.
AtthatSirBorsrodeupagainstthekingandsmotehimdown.ButSirLancelotcried,“Touchhimnotonpainofthyhead,”andgoingtoKingArthurhealightedandgavehimhisownhorse,saying,“Mylord,Ipraytheeforbearthisstrife,foritcanbringtoneitherofusanyhonour.”
AndwhenKingArthurlookedonhimthetearscametohiseyesashethoughtofhisnoblecourtesy,andhesaidwithinhimself,“Alas!thateverthiswarbegan.”
ButonthemorrowSirGawainledforththearmyagain,andSirBorscommandedonSirLancelot’sside.Andtheytwostrucktogethersofiercelythatbothfelltothegroundsorelywounded;andallthedaytheyfoughttillnightfell,andmanywereslainonbothsides,yetintheendneithergainedthevictory.
ButbynowthefameofthisfiercewarspreadthroughallChristendom,andwhenthePopeheardthereofhesentaBull,andchargedKingArthurtomakepeacewithLancelot,andreceivebackQueenGuinevere;andfortheoffenceimputedtoherabsolutionshouldbegivenbythePope.
TheretowouldKingArthurstraightwayhaveobeyed,butSirGawaineverurgedhimtorefuse.
WhenSirLancelotheardthereof,hewrotethustotheking:“Itwasneverinmythought,lord,towithholdthyqueenfromthee;butsinceshewascondemnedformysaketodeath,Ideemeditbutajustandknightlyparttorescuehertherefrom;whereforeIrecommendmetoyourgrace,andwithineightdayswillIcometotheeandbringthequeeninsafety.
