Chapter Third
How Sir Bors was relieved of the defence of the Queen, and of how Sir Mador de la Porte was overthrown.
SO came the eve of the day of that conflict when the innocence of the Queen was to be approved by conflict. That evening the Queen sent for Sir Bors de Ganis, and she said to him, “Sir, what is your mind in this battle which you are to fight to-morrow?” Quoth Sir Bors, “Lady, it is even as it was aforetime. For ever I do believe in your innocence and deem it be impossible that you could administer poison to one of your guests. So I will do battle for you to the best of my ability as I promised you I would do. But should another knight, better fitted by skill at arms than I, appear to assume that honor, then would I surrender the honor to that knight; yea, even at the last minute.”
The King praiseth Sir Bors.