"And tell to me what I shall ask;"
"Say on," quoth Lancelot tho;
"Thou art," quoth Tarquin, "the best knight
That ever I did know;
85 "And like a knight that I did hate;
So that thou be not he,
I will deliver all the rest,
And eke accord with thee."
"That is well said," quoth Lancelot then;
90 "But sith it must be so,
What is the knight thou hatest [thus?]
I pray thee to me show."
"His name is Lancelot du Lake,
He slew my brother dear;
95 Him I suspect of all the rest;
I would I had him here."
"Thy wish thou hast, but yet unknown;
I am Lancelot du Lake!
Now knight of Arthur's Table Round,
100 [King Ban's son of Benwake;]
"And I desire thee do thy worst."
"Ho! ho!" quoth Tarquin tho,
"One of us two shall end our lives,
Before that we do go.
105 "If thou be Lancelot du Lake,
Then welcome shalt thou be;
Wherefore see thou thyself defend,
For now defie I thee."
They buckled then together so,
110 Like two wild boars rashing,
And with their swords and shields they ran
At one another [slashing.]
The ground besprinkled was with blood,
Tarquin began to faint;
115 For he gave back, and bore his shield
So low, he did repent.