Sir Mador denieth him any delay.
“Is that all you have to say?” said Sir Mador. “Well, then, Messire, either come you to battle with me without loss of time, or else withdraw you from the field for someone else to take your place.”
“Take your horse and your arms,” said Sir Bors, “and as I suppose you will not tarry long, so also will I not tarry long, but will be with you anon.” So each knight withdrew from the field, and each busied himself in preparing for the conflict. In this Sir Mador was the quicker, and so rode out of his pavilion and around the course, and whilst none applauded him in that procession, yet there were some who frowned not upon him.
A new champion appeareth upon the Queen’s behalf.
So Sir Bors, when he was made ready, came forth from his pavilion, and he cast his eyes toward the forest and immediately he was aware that a knight was coming thence, riding easily yet swiftly. And this knight was clad in strange armor, and he bore a shield without any escutcheon, nor was there any emblazonment about him whatsoever to tell what knight he was. But Sir Bors knew very well that that knight was none other than Sir Launcelot of the Lake.
Anon this knight came quickly to where Sir Bors was, and he said to him, “Messire, I give you grammercy for assuming this quarrel upon behalf of the Queen. But now I come to assume that quarrel myself and so you are freed from it.” Sir Bors said, “Come you to King Arthur.” And the knight said, “Conduct me to him.”
The new knight appeareth before the King.
So Sir Bors conducted the knight to where King Arthur sat, and when he was come there King Arthur said to him, “Sir, what knight are you? For that I should know ere I consent to establish you instead of Sir Bors in this quarrel.” To which Sir Bors made reply, “Lord, I know this knight, and I know that he is a better knight than I am, so I yield my rights in this quarrel unto him.”
Then King Arthur said to Sir Mador de la Porte, “Sir, will you accept this new knight in your quarrel?” To which Sir Mador replied, “Sir, I will accept him or any.”
Sir Mador is overthrown.