shield that he breaketh his spear, but he might not unseat the Coward they conquered from the robber-knights, and for this doth he now lead Perceval draweth him back. "Sir," saith he, "See here my champion that challenge the honour of the damsels." "Ha," saith the Knight Coward to Perceval, "Take no heed of that he VII. them, and, for the sore suffering and poverty that Messire Gawain and looketh at the other knight that hath drawn his sword. The Knight "Certes," saith Perceval, "This will I not do: Rather will I help to forest that Messire Gawain gave them." you do I defy!" I set in my place." that they say true, for that I was there when the hold was given them." Lancelot saw in us aforetime, and in the house of my brother in whose other knights, so only he had the power." "Sir Knight," saith Perceval, "Let be these damsels, for well I know slain by Messire Gawain and Lancelot and another knight that came with "Ha, Sir," saith the Knight Coward, "Never shall it be challenged of "Then you helped to slay my kindred," saith the knight, "And therefore saith, and wax not wroth, but go your way!" "Sir," say they to Perceval, "This knight is a robber, and none other us away to slay and destroy us, and as much would he do for you and all castle they lay, were they fain to give us this hold and the treasure but he now wonneth in this forest, for the other robber-knights were The robber knight moveth toward him, and smiteth him so sore on the Knight, that sate still upright as aforehand in the saddle-bows. He me!"