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This ballad first occurs in the Garland of Good Will, and is attributed to Thomas Deloney, whose career as a song-writer extends from about 1586 to 1600. It is merely a rhymed version of a passage in the Morte D'Arthur, (Book vi. ch. 7, 8, 9, of Southey's ed.) The first two lines are quoted in the Second Part of Henry IV., A. ii. sc. 4.

The present text is nearly that of the Garland of Good Will (Percy Society, vol. xxx. p. 38), and differs considerably from that of Percy, (Reliques, i. 215.) The same, with very trifling variations, is found in Old Ballads, (1723,) ii. 21; Ritson's Ancient Songs, ii. 188; Evans's Old Ballads, ii. 5.

When Arthur first in court began,

And was approvèd king,

By force of arms great victories won,

And conquests home did bring;

5

Then into Britain straight he came,

Where fifty good and able

Knights then repairèd unto him,

Which were of the Round Table;

And many justs and tournaments

10

Before them there were drest,

Where valiant knights did then excel,

And far surmount the rest.

But one Sir Lancelot du Lake,

Who was approvèd well,

15

He in his fights and deeds of arms,

All others did excel.

When he had rested him a while,

To play, to game, and sport,

He thought he would go try himself,

20

In some adventurous sort.

He armèd rode in forest wide,

And met a damsel fair,

Who told him of adventures great,

Whereto he gave good ear.

25

"Why should I not?" quoth Lancelot tho,

"For that cause I came hither."

"Thou seem'st," quoth she, "a goodly knight,

And I will bring thee thither

"Whereas a mighty knight doth dwell,

30

That now is of great fame;

Therefore tell me what knight thou art,

And then what is your name."

"My name is Lancelot du Lake."

Quoth she, "it likes me than;

35

Here dwells a knight that never was

O'ermatch'd with any man;

"Who has in prison threescore knights

And four, that he has bound;

Knights of King Arthur's court they be,

40 And of his Table Round."

She brought him to a river side,

And also to a tree,

Whereon a copper bason hung,

His fellows shields to see.

45 He struck so hard, the bason broke:

When Tarquin heard the sound,

He drove a horse before him straight,

Whereon a knight lay bound.

"Sir knight," then said Sir Lancelot,

50 "Bring me that horse-load hither,

And lay him down, and let him rest;

We'll try our force together.

"And as I understand, thou hast,

So far as thou art able,

55 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

60 I utterly defie."

"That's overmuch," quoth Lancelot tho;

"Defend thee by and by."

They put their spurs unto their steeds,

And each at other fly.

65 They coucht their spears, and horses ran

As though there had been thunder;

And each struck them amidst the shield,

Wherewith they broke in sunder.

Their horses backs brake under them.

70 The knights were both astound;

To void their horses they made great haste,

To light upon the ground.

They took them to their shields full fast,

Their swords they drew out than;

75 With mighty strokes most eagerly

Each one at other ran.

They wounded were, and bled full sore,

For breath they both did stand,

And leaning on their swords awhile,

80 Quoth Tarquin, "Hold thy hand,

"And tell to me what I shall ask;"

"Say on," quoth Lancelot tho;

"Thou art," quoth Tarquin, "the best knight

That ever I did know;

85 "And like a knight that I did hate;

So that thou be not he,

I will deliver all the rest,

And eke accord with thee."

"That is well said," quoth Lancelot then;

90 "But sith it must be so,

What is the knight thou hatest thus? I pray thee to me show."

"His name is Lancelot du Lake,

He slew my brother dear;

95 Him I suspect of all the rest;

I would I had him here."

"Thy wish thou hast, but yet unknown;

I am Lancelot du Lake!

Now knight of Arthur's Table Round,

100 King Ban's son of Benwake;

"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.

105 "If thou be Lancelot du Lake,

Then welcome shalt thou be;

Wherefore see thou thyself defend,

For now defie I thee."

They buckled then together so,

110 Like two wild boars rashing,

And with their swords and shields they ran

At one another slashing.

The ground besprinkled was with blood,

Tarquin began to faint;

115 For he gave back, and bore his shield

So low, he did repent.

This soon espied Sir Lancelot tho; He leapt upon him then, He pull'd him down upon his knee, 120 And rushed off his helm.

And then he struck his neck in two;

And when he had done so,

From prison, threescore knights and four

Lancelot delivered tho.

29, the.

36, E'er match'd.

44, fellow.

91, so.

100, Kind Haud's son of Seuwake.

112, flashing.

117, 'spied.

120, rushing.