“Let that be as it may,” said Griflet, “I will joust with you.”
“It is not at my desire,” returned the other; “but since no better may be, you shall have your wish.” Then he took his spear and shield, and got on his horse, and they rode together. Griflet’s spear was shivered on the strange knight’s shield; but the latter smote Griflet through his armour and his left side, so that horse and man fell down. When the knight saw that, he was sorry; but hee unlaced Griflet’s helm, and, when he was a little recovered, helped him on his horse, and bade him farewell, saying that he had a mighty heart, and that if he lived he would prove a passing good knight. With that Griflet rode to the court, and told his tale as well as he could; but he was for long in great danger, and only through the skill of the leeches was his life saved.
Now King Arthur was exceedingly wroth that Griflet was hurt, and early the next morning he armed himself secretly and went forth to seek the stranger-knight. As he rode, he saw Merlin running, chased by three churls, so he galloped toward them, and when they saw him coming they fled.
“Now, Merlin,” exclaimed the king, “here wouldst thou have been slain, in spite of all thy craft, had I not come.”
“Not so,” answered Merlin; “I could have saved myself if I would. But you, sir, are nearer your death than I, for you are now going to your death if God do not befriend you.”
But the king would not quit the adventure; so he and Merlin rode along, till they came to the pavilion by the side of the fountain; and the knight was sitting within the pavilion all armed.
“Sir Knight,” said Arthur, “for what cause abideth thou here, that no knight may ride this way but that he joust with thee? I advise thee to leave that custom.”
“That custom,” answered the knight, “I have used, and will use, whoever may forbid it; and whoever is grieved by it may amend it if he can.”
“I will amend it,” said the king.
“And I shall defend it,” said the knight. He took his shield and spear, and mounted his horse, and he and the king ran together with such force that both their spears were broken, but neither lost his seat. Then King Arthur drew his sword.