meet the better of them both. When King Mark heard
him say that word, he turned his horse and abode by
him. And then that strong knight bare a spear to
Dagonet, and smote him so sore that he bare him over
his horse's tail, and nigh he had broken his neck. And
anon after him came Sir Brandiles, and when he saw
Dagonet have that fall he was passing wroth, and cried:
Keep thee, knight, and so they hurtled together wonder
sore. But the knight smote Sir Brandiles so sore that
he went to the earth, horse and man. Sir Uwaine came
after and saw all this. Jesu, said he, yonder is a strong
knight. And then they feutred their spears, and this
knight came so eagerly that he smote down Sir Uwaine.
Then came Ozana with the hardy heart, and he was
smitten down. Now, said Sir Griflet, by my counsel let
us send to yonder errant-knight, and wit whether he be
of Arthur's court, for as I deem it is Sir Lamorak de
Galis. So they sent unto him, and prayed the strange
knight to tell his name, and whether he were of Arthur's
court or not. As for my name they shall not wit, but
tell them I am a knight-errant as they are, and let them
wit that I am no knight of King Arthur's court; and
so the squire rode again unto them and told them his
answer of him. By my head, said Sir Agravaine, he is
one of the strongest knights that ever I saw, for he hath
overthrown three noble knights, and needs we must
encounter with him for shame. So Sir Agravaine feutred
his spear, and that other was ready, and smote him down
over his horse to the earth. And in the same wise he
smote Sir Uwaine les Avoutres and also Sir Griflet.