当亚瑟王初登朝廷，被拥戴为国王，凭借武力，他赢得了巨大的胜利，征服了家乡;随后，他带着五十名骁勇善战的骑士直奔英国，他们都是圆桌会的成员。还有许多法庭和法庭，那里有许多法官，其中一些骑士表现得非常出色，他们超越了其他人。但有一个叫兰斯洛特·杜·莱克的爵士，他的功绩和战功受到好评，其他所有人都做得很好。当他在玩耍、游戏和运动中休息了一会儿后，他说他要去证明自己，以某种冒险的方式。他骑着马在广阔的森林里，遇见了一位美丽的少女，她告诉他一些伟大的冒险经历，他对这些经历给予了很好的照顾。“我为什么不呢?”兰斯洛特说，“我就是为了这个缘故才到这儿来的。”"你看起来"她说，"是个很好的骑士，"我要带你去那儿，"现在住着一个很有名气的骑士;所以告诉我你是什么骑士，你叫什么名字?”“我叫兰斯洛特·杜·莱克。” Quoth she, "It likes me than; Here dwelles 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 Arthurs 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. He struck soe hard, the bason broke: And Tarquin soon he spyed: Who drove a horse before him fast, Whereon a knight lay tyed. "Sir Knight," then sayd Sir Lancelòtt, "Bring me that horse-load hither, And lay him downe, and let him rest; Weel try our force together. "For, as I understand, thou hast, Soe far as thou art able, Done great despite and shame unto The knights of the Round Table." "If thou be of the Table Round," Quoth Tarquin, speedilye, "Both thee and all thy fellowship I utterly defye." "That's over much," quoth Lancelott tho, "Defend thee by and by." They sett their speares unto their steeds, And each att other flye. They coucht their speares, (their horses ran, As though there had been thunder); And strucke them each immidst their shields, Wherewith they broke in sunder. Their horsses backes brake under them, The knights were both astound; To avoyd their horsses they made great haste, And light upon the ground. They tooke them to their shields full fast, Their swords they drew out than; With mighty strokes most eagerlye Each at the other ran. They wounded were, and bled full sore, They both for breath did stand, And leaning on their swordes awhile, Quoth Tarquine, "Hold thy hand, "And tell to me what I shall aske;" "Say on," quoth Lancelot tho. "Thou art," quoth Tarquine, "the best knight That ever I did know; "And like a knight that I did hate; Soe that thou be not hee, I will deliver all the rest, And eke accord with thee." "That is well sayd," quoth Lancelott tho, "But sith it must be soe, What knight is that thou hatest thus? I pray thee to meshow." "His name is Lancelot du Lake, He slew my brother deere; Him I suspect of all the rest: I would I had him here." "Thy wish thou hast, but yet unknowne; I am Lancelot du Lake, Now knight of Arthurs Table Round; King Hauds son of Schuwake; "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. "If thou be Lancelot du Lake Then welcome shalt thou bee; Wherfore see thou thyself defend, For now defye I thee." They buckled then together so, Like unto wild boares rashing, And with their swords and shields they ran At one another slashing. The ground besprinkled was with blood, Tarquin began to yield; For he gave backe for wearinesse, And lowe did beare his shield. This soone Sir Lancelot espyde, He leapt upon him then, He pull'd him downe upon his knee, And rushing off his helm, Forthwith he strucke his necke in two; And when he had soe done, From prison, threescore knights and four Delivered everye one.