Classic Poem

When Arthur first in Court began
& was approued king,
by force of armes great victorys wonne
and conquest home did bring,

Then into England straight he came
w i th 50 ty : good and able
knights that resorted vnto him,
& were of the round table.

And many Iusts & turnam en ts
wherto were many prest,
weherin some knights did farr exell
& eke surmount the rest.

But one S i r Lancelot of Dulake
he was approuved well,
he for his deeds & feats of armes
All others did exell.

When he had rested him awhile
In play & game to sportt,
he said he wold goe prove himselfe
in some aduenturous sort.

He armed rode in a fforrest wide,
& met a damsell faire,
who told him of adventures great,
wherto he gaue great eare.

" Why shold I not? " q uo th Lancelott tho;
For that cause came I hither. "
" thou seemst, " q uo th shee, " a K nigh t full good
& I will bring thee thither

Weras the worthiest k nigh t doth dwell "
ch . . . . . . . .

" Thatts ouer much " q uot h Lancelott tho,
" defend thee by & by "
they sett their speares unto ther steeds,
and eache att other flie

They coucht theire speares, their horses run
as though there had beene thunder,
& euery stroke in midst their sheelds,
werewith they broke in sunder.

They horsses bakes brake vnder them,
they k nigh ts were both astond;
to avoyd their horsse they made great hast,
& light vpon the ground.

They wounded were, & bled full sore,
they both for breath did stand,
& leaning on their swords awhile,
q uo th Tarqine " hold thy hand,

" And tell to me what I shall Aske "
" say on, " q uo th Lancelott tho;
" thou art, " quoth Tarqine, " the best k nigh t
that euer I did know,

" Like to a knight that I doe hate,
soe that thou be not hee,
I will deliuer all the rest,
& eke accord w i th thee. "

" That is well said, " said lancelott tho,
" but seeth it must soe bee;
what k nigh t is that, tha t thou dost hate?
I pray thee show to mee. "

" His name, S ir Lancelott dulake is,
he slew my brother deere; "