Sir Mador challengeth the Queen.
Then Sir Mador spoke up in a very bold voice, both high and loud. “Sovereign and awful lord,” said he, “here stand I for justice and for right; without awe and without fear of anyone or of anything. Wit ye then, that some days ago I and several others sat at feast with the Queen. What time my near kinsman, Sir Patrice of Ireland, ate an apple at that feast, and the apple was poisoned and he died of eating thereof. Now that was the Queen’s feast and we were the Queen’s guests; how, then, was the poisoning done, saving by the Queen’s orders? So here stand I now to accuse that Queen of the treason of poisoning; nor will I rest satisfied from that accusation, saving only as someone shall overthrow me in this, my coming battle.”
The King challengeth Sir Mador.
Then spake the King, “Sir, did you make research concerning this accusation, or did you question anyone concerning this affair? For certes it is very criminal and very wicked to administer poison to another; but it is none the less criminal and none the less wicked to utter such treason as you do by accusing the Queen unjustly and without cause. Wherefore, Sir, you should be very certain of your accusation.”
Quoth Sir Mador, “Sir, I believe the testimony of mine eyes; for they beheld that which my lips have spoken, and so my hand shall uphold in this, my just encounter against the Queen’s strong champion.”
Then the King spoke very haughtily. “Sir,” quoth he, “you have entrusted the verity of your case to the testimony of your eyes, and that testimony has deceived and misled you. Nevertheless, I shall not answer you here, for anon you shall be answered to your pain.” Then the King spake to an esquire who stood below in the tilt yard. “Hasten,” said he, “and bid Sir Bors de Ganis to come hither.”
Sir Bors appeareth.
So the esquire departed and anon he returned, leading the white horse of Sir Bors by the bridle. And Sir Bors was clad all in armor of pure and virgin white, and all his trappings and the trappings of his horse were white, so that he shone glistening, like to a figure of pure silver.
Sir Bors appealeth for delay.
“Sir,” said Sir Mador to Sir Bors, “Knowest thou why I am here, and upon what accusation?” Sir Bors said, “Aye, I know it well.” Then said Sir Mador, “Dost thou stand for the other side?” Sir Bors said, “Yea, I stand heart and soul for the other side. But I will tell thee truly. I said that I would undertake this quarrel upon the Queen’s behalf unless some better knight than I should take that battle upon him. I know you, Sir Mador, for a noble and valiant knight, and you know me for what you have beheld of me, wherefore you know that I fear not to meet you or any knight in all of the world, and that I would do battle with anyone with all of my might in a lesser quarrel than this. Wherefore I ask you now to postpone this battle until the hour of noon, for by that time there may come more worthy than I to defend this honorable and much abused lady.”