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In this same month of May when every lusty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth, there befell in King Arthur's realm a great anger and ill fortune that stinted not till the flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyed. And all was due to two evil knights, the which were named Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred, that were nephews unto King Arthur and brethren unto Sir Gawaine.
As he sat there, a man-at-arms entered the hall. 'Your majesty, he cried, 'a damsel in distress waits without. There was a murmur of excitement and interest. 'Show her in, said the king, beaming. The man-at-arms retired. Around the table the knights were struggling into an upright position in their seats and twirling their moustaches. Agravaine alone made no movement.
And so Dinadan and he encountered together, that with pure strength Sir Dinadan smote him over his horse's tail Then he took his horse and fled, for he was on foot one of the valiantest knights in Arthur's days, and a great destroyer of all good knights. Then rode Sir Dinadan unto Sir Mordred and unto Sir Agravaine.
But to Agravaine, all inexperienced, it came as a surprise when suddenly with a muffled thud two bodies fell against the door. There was a scuffling noise, some groans, and then silence. And then with amazement he heard the bolt shoot back and a key grate in the keyhole. The door swung open.
Also, madam, wit ye well that there be many men speak of our love in this court, and have you and me greatly in await, as Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred; and madam, wit ye well I dread them more for your sake than for any fear I have of them myself, for I may happen to escape and rid myself in a great need, where ye must abide all that will be said unto you.
But apparently there were exceptions, of whom Sir Agravaine the Dolorous must have been the chief. There was, it seems, nothing to mitigate this unfortunate man's physical deficiencies. There is a place in the world for the strong, ugly man, and there is a place for the weak, handsome man. But to fall short both in features and in muscle is to stake your all on brain.
So Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred came before King Arthur, and told him they might no longer suffer Sir Launcelot's deeds, for he was a traitor to his kingly person.
'Behold! said the damsel. 'My father's castle. And presently they were riding across the drawbridge and through the great gate, which shut behind them with a clang. As they dismounted a man came out through a door at the farther end of the courtyard. 'Father, said Yvonne, 'this is the gallant knight Sir Agravaine, who has come to it seemed to Agravaine that she hesitated for a moment.
And two of those he smote down were Sir Agravaine, the brother of Sir Gawain, and Sir Modred, his false brother King Arthur's son by Belisent. And because of his victory they hated Sir Lancelot, and sought how they might injure him.
So on the morn Sir Agravaine and Sir Mordred gat to them twelve knights and hid themselves in a chamber in the castle of Carlisle, where Queen Guenever was; thus they plotted to take Sir Launcelot by force, if she should have speech with him. Sir Launcelot was no coward, and cared not what liars said about him, since he wist his own good will and loyalty.
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