And the king went down from
the tower to upbraid his son, and entering the list he addressed
him thus: "How now? Is this becoming, to strike him when he is
not touching thee? Thou art too cruel and savage, and thy
prowess is now out of place! For we all know beyond a doubt that
he is thy superior." Then Meleagant, choking with shame, says to
the king: "I think you must be blind! I do not believe you see a
thing. Any one must indeed be blind to think I am not better
than he." "Seek some one to believe thy words!" the king
replies, "for all the people know whether thou speakest the truth
or a lie. All of us know full well the truth." Then the king
bids his barons lead his son away, which they do at once in
execution of his command: they led away Meleagant. But it was
not necessary to use force to induce Lancelot to withdraw, for
Meleagant might have harmed him grievously, before he would have
sought to defend himself. Then the king says to his son: "So
help me God, now thou must make peace and surrender the Queen.
Thou must cease this quarrel once for all and withdraw thy
claim." "That is great nonsense you have uttered! I hear you
speak foolishly. Stand aside! Let us fight, and do not mix in
our affairs!" But the king says he will take a hand, for he
knows well that, were the fight to continue, Lancelot would kill
his son.
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