who were now in Cornwall.

Whether King Mark knew this to be so or not, yet of all his court,
there were no two who had more reason to hate Sir Launcelot than Sir
Bertram and Sir Pendore. For Sir Launcelot had come upon them once
when they were in the midst of tormenting two holy men having first
taken from them a paltry purse which these two monks were carrying for
worthy purpose. Then when Sir Launcelot had asked that they desist and
return the holy men's purse they had replied with foul tongue and had
made for him. Soon, however, they found that this single knight was
master of them both and would they then have complied with his
requests. However, Sir Launcelot who was ever slow to anger was now in
great rage and he had taken them to the castle grounds of Sir Gawaine
and there, before a large number he told of what had happened. And
while fair ladies laughed at them and while men looked at them as they
would at hinds, Sir Launcelot had taken the flat of his sword and had
brought it down on both. Then he had asked two yeomen to club them
from the castle grounds since they were unfit to be in the company of
knights. This the yeomen had done right lustily.

Neither Sir Pendore nor Sir Bertram had ever made mention of this
event. But there was no one in all of Britain whom they so fully hated
as Sir Launcelot. Now, there seemed likely chance for revenge.

"How many men can you muster?" asked Sir Bertram, speaking not over
anxiously yet with meaning looked at Sir Pendore.

"Seven score or more" replied the king of Cornwall.

"I would have more," replied Sir Pendore. "What with Percival and