THE day came on fast until the even that the battle should be.Then the queen sent for Sir Bors and asked him how he was disposed.Truly madam,said he,I am disposed in likewise as I promised you,that is for to say I shall not fail you,unless by adventure there come a better knight than I am to do battle for you,then,madam,am I discharged of my promise.Will ye,said the queen,that I tell my lord Arthur thus?Do as it shall please you,madam.Then the queen went unto the king and told him the answer of Sir Bors.Have ye no doubt,said the king,of Sir Bors,for I call him now one of the best knights of the world,and the most profitablest man.And thus it passed on until the morn,and the king and the queen and all manner of knights that were there at that time drew them unto the meadow beside Westminster where the battle should be.And so when the king was come with the queen and many knights of the Round Table,then the queen was put there in the Constable's ward,and a great fire made about an iron stake,that an Sir Mador de la Porte had the better,she should be burnt:such custom was used in those days,that neither for favour,neither for love nor affinity,there should be none other but righteous judgment,as well upon a king as upon a knight,and as well upon a queen as upon another poor lady.
So in this meanwhile came in Sir Mador de la Porte,and took his oath afore the king,that the queen did this treason until his cousin Sir Patrise,and unto his oath he would prove it with his body,hand for hand,who that would say the contrary.Right so came in Sir Bors de Ganis,and said:That as for Queen Guenever she is in the right,and that will I make good with my hands that she is not culpable of this treason that is put upon her.
Then make thee ready,said Sir Mador,and we shall prove whether thou be in the right or I.Sir Mador,said Sir Bors,wit thou well I know you for a good knight.Not for then I shall not fear you so greatly,but I trust to God I shall be able to withstand your malice.But this much have I promised my lord Arthur and my lady the queen,that I shall do battle for her in this case to the uttermost,unless that there come a better knight than I am and discharge me.Is that all?said Sir Mador,either come thou off and do battle with me,or else say nay.Take your horse,said Sir Bors,and as I suppose,ye shall not tarry long but ye shall be answered.
Then either departed to their tents and made them ready to horseback as they thought best.And anon Sir Mador came into the field with his shield on his shoulder and his spear in his hand;and so rode about the place crying unto Arthur:Bid your champion come forth an he dare.Then was Sir Bors ashamed and took his horse and came to the lists'end.And then was he ware where came from a wood there fast by a knight all armed,upon a white horse,with a strange shield of strange arms;and he came riding all that he might run,and so he came to Sir Bors,and said thus:Fair knight,I pray you be not displeased,for here must a better knight than ye are have this battle,therefore I pray you withdraw you.For wit ye well I have had this day a right great journey,and this battle ought to be mine,and so I promised you when Ispake with you last,and with all my heart I thank you of 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 the king.I wot not,said Sir Bors,but such covenant he made with me to be here this day.Now my lord,said Sir Bors,here am I discharged.
CHAPTER VII
How Sir Launcelot fought against Sir Mador for the queen,and how he overcame Sir Mador,and discharged the queen.
THEN the king called to that knight,and asked him if he would fight for the queen.Then he answered to 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 Ihave ado many matters elsewhere.For wit you well,said that knight,this is dishonour to 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 amongst you.Then they all marvelled what knight that might be that so took the battle upon him.For there was not one that knew him,but if it were Sir Bors.
