The Noble Acts [Newl]y found, Of Arthur of the [Table Round.]
To the Tune of, Flying Fame.
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WHen Arthur first in Court began,
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and was approved King,
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By force of Arms great Victories won,
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and Conquest home did bring:
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Then into Brittain straight he came,
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where fifty stout and able
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Knights, then repaired unto him,
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which were of the Round Table.
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And many Justs and Turnaments,
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before him there were prest,
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Wherein these Knights did then excell,
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and far surmount the rest.
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But one Sir Lancelot du Lake,
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who was approved well,
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He in his fights and deeds of arms,
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all others did excell.
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When he had rested him a while,
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to play, and game, and sport,
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He thought he would approve himself,
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in some advent'rous sort:
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He armed rode in Forrest wide,
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and met a Damsel fair,
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Who told him of Adventures great,
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whereto he gave good ear.
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Why should I not? (quoth Lancelot tho)
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for that cause came I hither,
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Thou seem'st, quoth she, a Knight right good,
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and I will bring thee thither,
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Where as the mightest Knight doth dwell
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that now is of great fame,
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Wherefore tell me what Knight thou art,
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and then what is thy name.
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My name is Lancelot du Lake,
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quoth she it likes me then,
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Here dwells a Knight that never was
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o're-matcht of any man:
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Who hath in Prison threescore Knights,
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and some that he hath bound,
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Knights of King Arthurs Court they be,
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and of the Table round,
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She brought him to a River then,
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and also to a Tree,
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Whereas a Copper Bason hung,
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his Fellow Shields to see.
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He struck so hard the Bason broke,
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when Tarquin heard the sound,
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He drove a Horse before him straight,
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whereon a Knight was bound.
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Sir Knight (then said Sir Lancelot)
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bring me that Horse-load hither,
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And lay him down and let him rest,
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we'l try our force together:
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For as I understand, thou hast,
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as far as thou art able,
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Done great despight and and shame unto
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the Knights of the round Table.
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If thou art of the Table round,
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quoth Tarquin speedily,
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Both thee and all thy Fellowship,
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I utterly defie.
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That's overmuch, quoth Lancelot tho,
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defend thee by and by,
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They put their Spurs unto their Steeds,
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and each at other flye.
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They couch thier Spears and Horses run,
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as though they had been thunder
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And each struck then upon the Shield,
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wherewith they brake asunder:
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Their Horses backs brake under them,
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The Knights they were aston'd;
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To void their horses they made haste,
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to fight upon the ground:
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They took them to their Shields full fast,
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their Swords they drew out then
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With Mighty stroaks most eagerly,
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each one at other run:
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They wounded were, and bled full sore,
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for breath they both did stand,
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And leaning on their Swords a while,
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quoth Tarquin hold thy Hand,
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And tell to me what I shall ask,
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say on, quoth Lancelot tho,
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Thou art quoth Tarquin, the best Knight
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that ever I did know.
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And like a Knight that I did hate,
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so that thou be not he,
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I will deliver all the rest,
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and eke accord with thee.
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That is well said, quoth Lancelot then,
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but sith it so must be,
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What is the Knight thou hatest so,
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I pray thee shew to me?
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His name is Sir Lancelot du Lake,
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he slew my Brother dear,
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Him I suspect of all the rest
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I would I had him here.
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Thy wish thou hast, but now unknown,
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I am Lancelot du Lake,
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Now of King Arthurs Table round,
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King Hands Son of Benwake:
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And I defie thee do thy worst,
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ha ha, quoth Tarquin tho,
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One of us two shall end our lives,
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before that we do go.
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If thou be Lancelot du Lake,
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then welcome shalt thou be,
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Wherefore see thou thyself defend,
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for now I do thee defie.
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They hurled then together fast,
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like two wild Boars so rashing,
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And with their Swords & Shields they ran,
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at one another flashing.
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The ground besprinkled was with blood.
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Tarquin began to faint,
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For he had backt and bore his shield,
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so low he did repent:
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Which soon espy'd Lancelot tho,
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he leapt upon him then,
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He pull'd him down upon his Knee,
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and rushed off his helm:
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And then he struck his Neck in two,
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and when he had done so,
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From prison threescore Knights and four,
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Lancelot delivered tho.
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