Chapter XLV: How Lancelot Fought at a Fountain

Sir Lancelot was fighting one day at a fountain with a knight of Sansonia [93] whose name was Aliban; and they fought keenly, with their swords, dismounted from their horses.

And when they paused to draw breath, they asked one another’s names.

Sir Lancelot replied: since you desire to hear my name, know that I am called Lancelot.

Then the combat began once more, and the knight spoke to Lancelot, and said: your name is deadlier to me than your prowess.

For when he knew that the knight was Lancelot, he began to mistrust his own worth.