Table knights whose peers shall never be found in any age; and
foremost among them all was Sir Launcelot du Lac. Such was his
strength that none against whom he had lain lance in rest could keep
the saddle, and no shield was proof against his sword dint; but for
his courtesy even more than for his courage and strength, Sir
Launcelot was famed far and near. Gentle he was and ever the first to
rejoice in the renown of another; and, in the jousts, he would avoid
encounter with the young and untried knight, letting him pass to gain
glory if he might.

It would take a great book to record all the famous deeds of Sir
Launcelot, and all his adventures. He was of Gaul, for his father;
King Ban, ruled over Benwick; and some say that his first name was
Galahad, and that he was named Launcelot du Lac by the Lady of the
Lake, who reared him when his mother died. Early he won renown by
delivering his father's people from the grim King Claudas, who, for
more than twenty years, had lain waste the fair land of Benwick; then,
when there was peace in his own land, he passed into Britain, to
Arthur's Court, where the king received him gladly, and made him
Knight of the Round Table and took him for his trustiest friend. And
so it was that, when Guenevere was to be brought to Canterbury, to be
married to the king, Launcelot was chief of the knights sent to wait
upon her.

Now on a day, as he rode through the forest, Sir Launcelot met a
damsel weeping bitterly, and seeing him, she cried, "Stay, sir knight!
By your knighthood I require you to aid me in my distress."
Immediately Sir Launcelot checked his horse and asked in what she
needed his service. "Sir," said the maiden, "my brother lies at the
point of death, for this day he fought with the stout knight, Sir