When he had rested him a while,
In play, and game, and sport,
He said he would go prove himself
In some adventurous sort.
He armed rode in forest wide,
And met a damsel fair,
Who told him of adventures great,
Whereto he gave good ear.
Such would I find, quoth Lancelot:
For that cause came I hither.
Thou seem'st, quoth she, a knight full good,
And I will bring thee thither,
Whereas a mighty knight doth dwell,
That now is of great fame:
Therefore tell me what wight thou art,
And what may be thy name.
My name is Lancelot du Lake.
Quoth she, it likes me then:
Here dwells a knight who never was
Yet matcht with any man:
Who has in prison threescore knights
And four, that he did wound;
Knights of king Arthur's court they be,
And of his table round.
She brought him to a river side,
And also to a tree,
Whereon a copper bason hung,
And many shields to see.
SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE.