Time Voyage - Boxed Set. Филип Дик

       well armed, all save the heads, with two horrible

       clubs in their hands. Sir Launcelot put his shield

       afore him, and put the stroke away of the one

       giant, and with his sword he clave his head asunder.

       When his fellow saw that, he ran away as he were

       wood [*demented], for fear of the horrible strokes,

       and Sir Launcelot after him with all his might,

       and smote him on the shoulder, and clave him to

       the middle. Then Sir Launcelot went into the hall,

       and there came afore him three score ladies and

       damsels, and all kneeled unto him, and thanked

       God and him of their deliverance. For, sir, said

       they, the most part of us have been here this

       seven year their prisoners, and we have worked all

       manner of silk works for our meat, and we are all

       great gentlewomen born, and blessed be the time,

       knight, that ever thou wert born; for thou hast

       done the most worship that ever did knight in the

       world, that will we bear record, and we all pray

       you to tell us your name, that we may tell our

       friends who delivered us out of prison. Fair

       damsels, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du

       Lake. And so he departed from them and betaught

       them unto God. And then he mounted upon his

       horse, and rode into many strange and wild

       countries, and through many waters and valleys,

       and evil was he lodged. And at the last by

       fortune him happened against a night to come to

       a fair courtilage, and therein he found an old

       gentlewoman that lodged him with a goodwill,

       and there he had good cheer for him and his horse.

       And when time was, his host brought him into a

       fair garret over the gate to his bed. There

       Sir Launcelot unarmed him, and set his harness

       by him, and went to bed, and anon he fell on

       sleep. So, soon after there came one on

       horseback, and knocked at the gate in great

       haste. And when Sir Launcelot heard this he rose

       up, and looked out at the window, and saw by the

       moonlight three knights come riding after that

       one man, and all three lashed on him at once

       with swords, and that one knight turned on them

       knightly again and defended him. Truly, said

       Sir Launcelot, yonder one knight shall I help,

       for it were shame for me to see three knights

       on one, and if he be slain I am partner of his

       death. And therewith he took his harness and

       went out at a window by a sheet down to the four

       knights, and then Sir Launcelot said on high,

       Turn you knights unto me, and leave your

       fighting with that knight. And then they all

       three left Sir Kay, and turned unto Sir Launcelot,

       and there began great battle, for they alight

       all three, and strake many strokes at Sir

       Launcelot, and assailed him on every side. Then

       Sir Kay dressed him for to have holpen Sir

       Launcelot. Nay, sir, said he, I will none of

       your help, therefore as ye will have my help

       let me alone with them. Sir Kay for the pleasure

       of the knight suffered him for to do his will,

       and so stood aside. And then anon within six

       strokes Sir Launcelot had stricken them to the earth.

      And then they all three cried, Sir Knight, we

       yield us unto you as man of might matchless. As

       to that, said Sir Launcelot, I will not take

       your yielding unto me, but so that ye yield

       you unto Sir Kay the seneschal, on that covenant

       I will save your lives and else not. Fair knight,

       said they, that were we loath to do; for as for

       Sir Kay we chased him hither, and had overcome

       him had ye not been; therefore, to yield us unto

       him it were no reason. Well, as to that, said

       Sir Launcelot, advise you well, for ye may

       choose whether ye will die or live, for an ye be

       yielden, it shall be unto Sir Kay. Fair knight,

       then they said, in saving our lives we will do

       as thou commandest us. Then shall ye, said Sir

       Launcelot, on Whitsunday next coming go unto the

       court of King Arthur, and there shall ye yield

       you unto Queen Guenever, and put you all three

       in her grace and mercy, and say that Sir Kay

       sent you thither to be her prisoners. On the morn

       Sir Launcelot arose early, and left Sir Kay

       sleeping; and Sir Launcelot took Sir Kay’s armor

       and his shield and armed him, and so he went to

       the stable and took his horse, and took his leave

       of his host, and so he departed. Then soon after

       arose Sir Kay and missed Sir Launcelot; and

       then he espied that he had his armor and his

       horse. Now by my faith I know well that he will

       grieve some of the court of King Arthur; for on

       him knights will be bold, and deem that it is I,

       and that will beguile them; and because of his

       armor and shield I am sure I shall ride in peace.

       And then soon after departed Sir Kay, and

       thanked his host.