Many knights anwered him again, and said, “As for our most noble King Arthur, we love him and honor him as well as ye do; but as for Queen Guenever, we love her not, for because she is a destroyer of good knights.” “Fair lords,” said Sir Bors, “me seemeth, ye say, not as ye should say, for never yet in all my days knew I, nor heard say, that ever she was a destroyer of any good knight; but at all times as far as I ever could know, she was always a maintainer of good knights; and always she hath been large and free of her goods to all good knights, and the most bounteous lady of her gifts and her good grace that ever I saw, or heard speak of; and therefore it were great shame (said Sir Bors) unto us all to our most noble King`s wife, if we suffer her to be shamefully slain: and wit ye well (said Sir Bors) I will not suffer it; for I dare say so much the Queen is not guilty of Sir Patrice`s death, for she ought him never none evil will, nor none of the twenty knights that were at that dinner; for I dare well say that it was for good love she had us to dinner, and not for no malice, and that I doubt not shall be proved hereafter; for howsoever the game goeth, there was treason among some of us.” Then some said to Sir Bors, “We may well believe your words.” And so some of them were well pleased, and some were not pleased.
Unless by adventure
The day came on fast until the even that the battle should be. Then the Queen sent for Sir Bors, and asked him “how he was disposed.” “Truly, madam,” said he, “I am disposed in likewise as I promised you; that is to say, I shall not fail you, unless by adventure there come a better knight than I to do battle for you; then, madam, am I discharged of my promise.” “Will ye,” said the Queen, “that I tell my lord, King Arthur, thus?” “Do as it shall please you, madam,” said Sir Bors. Then the Queen went unto the King, and told him the answer of Sir Bors.“Have ye no doubt,” said the King, “of Sir Bors, for I call him now one of the best knights of the world, and the most profitablest man; and this is past forth until the morrow.” And the King and the Queen, and all the knights that were there at that time, drew them to the meadow beside Winchester, whereas the battle should be.
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