(Vv. 5641-6104.) When Lancelot entered the tournament, he was as
good as twenty of the best, and he began to fight so doughtily
that no one could take his eyes from him, wherever he was. On
the Pomelegloi side there was a brave and valorous knight, and
his horse was spirited and swifter than a wild stag. He was the
son of the Irish king, and fought well and handsomely. But the
unknown knight pleased them all more a hundred times. In wonder
they all make haste to ask: "Who is this knight who fights so
well?" And the Queen privily called a clever and wise damsel to
her and said: "Damsel, you must carry a message, and do it
quickly and with few words. Go down from the stand, and approach
yonder knight with the vermilion shield, and tell him privately
that I bid him do his `worst'." She goes quickly, and with
intelligence executes the Queen's command. She sought the knight
until she came up close to him; then she said to him prudently
and in a voice so low that no one standing by might hear: "Sire,
my lady the Queen sends you word by me that you shall do your
`worst'." When he heard this, he replied: "Very willingly," like
one who is altogether hers. Then he rides at another knight as
hard as his horse can carry him, and misses his thrust which
should have struck him.
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