“Sir Knight,” said one of the squires, “those two knights are fighting for this lady. I pray you go to them and tell your errand, and you may have the lady if they be agreed.”
King Pellinore assented, and he went between the two knights, and asked them why they fought.
“Sir Knight,” said one of them, “I will tell you. Even now this knight, that is called Sir Ontzlake of Westland, was passing by, carrying away the lady you see yonder. She is my near kinswoman; and when I heard her complain that she was with him against her will, I fought with him to release her.”
“Well,” said the other, “the lady is mine, for I won her this day by force of arms in King Arthur’s court.”
“Fie, Knight!” answered Pellinore, “that is untruly said. You came in all suddenly as we were at the feast, and took away the lady before any man could make him ready. But it is my quest to take her back again, and you also, unless one of us abide in the field. If, therefore, you choose to fight for her, you must fight with me, and I will defend her.”
“Well,” said the knight, “make you ready, and I shall strive with you to the uttermost.”
Now Sir Ontzlake was on foot; so King Pellinore was getting off his horse to meet him evenly in the field, when Ontzlake came up craftily and ran the horse through with his sword, saying,—
“Now thou art on foot as well as we.”
King Pellinore was exceedingly angry at this, for the horse was a good one. He drew his sword, put his shield before him, and cried,—
“Knight, keep well thy head, for thou shalt have a buffet for slaying my horse.”