The tournament begins. Lancelot's identity is known only to the herald. He battles so well that he becomes the favorite.

Yet, Queen Guinevere sends one of her ladies to command the strange knight to do his worst. Lancelot willingly obeys her order. When he next participates, he intentionally loses and acts cowardly. He is berated by the other knights.

The Queen knows this is her Lancelot, who has passed her test, and she then sends word that he should do his best. He suddenly becomes the best of all the knights and beloved by the ladies who wish to marry him. Yet, Lancelot disappears and returns to his captors. All of the ladies are unhappy and say they will not marry anyone that year.