In this encounter Lancelot taught him one of his thrusts, when he
pinned his shield to his arm, and his arm to his side, and
brought him down from his horse to earth. Like arrows the
knights at once fly out, spurring and pricking from either side,
some to relieve this knight, others to add to his distress.
While some thus try to aid their lords, many a saddle is left
empty in the strife and fray. But all that day Gawain took no
hand at arms, though he was with the others there, for he took
such pleasure in watching the deeds of him with the red painted
arms that what the others did seemed to him pale in comparison.
And the herald cheered up again, as he shouted aloud so that all
could hear: "Here there has one come who will take the measure!
To-day you shall see what he can do. To-day his prowess shall
appear." Then the knight directs his steed and makes a very
skilful thrust against a certain knight, whom he strikes so hard
that he carries him a hundred feet or more from his horse. His
feats with sword and lance are so well performed that there is
none of the onlookers who does not find pleasure in watching him.
Many even of those who bear arms find pleasure and satisfaction
in what he does, for it is great sport to see how he makes horses
and knights tumble and fall.
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