CHAPTER XI. How the Saracens came out of a wood for to rescue their
beasts, and of a great battle.
Then Sir Florence called to him Sir Floridas, with an hundred knights,
and drove forth the herd of beasts. Then followed him seven hundred men
of arms; and Sir Ferant of Spain on a fair steed came springing out of
the woods, and came to Sir Florence and asked him why he fled. Then Sir
Florence took his spear and rode against him, and smote him in the
forehead and brake his neck bone. Then all the other were moved, and
thought to avenge the death of Sir Ferant, and smote in among them, and
there was great fight, and many slain and laid down to ground, and Sir
Florence with his hundred knights alway kept the stale, and fought
manly.
Then when Priamus the good knight perceived the great fight, he went to
Sir Gawaine, and bade him that he should go and succour his fellowship,
which were sore bestead with their enemies. Sir, grieve you not, said
Sir Gawaine, for their gree shall be theirs. I shall not once move my
horse to them ward, but if I see more than there be; for they be strong
enough to match them.
And with that he saw an earl called Sir Ethelwold and the duke of
Dutchmen, came leaping out of a wood with many thousands, and Priamus’
knights, and came straight unto the battle. Then Sir Gawaine comforted
his knights, and bade them not to be abashed, for all shall be ours.
Then they began to wallop and met with their enemies, there were men
slain and overthrown on every side. Then thrust in among them the
knights of the Table Round, and smote down to the earth all them that
withstood them, in so much that they made them to recoil and flee. By
God, said Sir Gawaine, this gladdeth my heart, for now be they less in
number by twenty thousand. Then entered into the battle Jubance a
giant, and fought and slew down right, and distressed many of our
knights, among whom was slain Sir Gherard, a knight of Wales. Then our
knights took heart to them, and slew many Saracens. And then came in
Sir Priamus with his pennon, and rode with the knights of the Round
Table, and fought so manfully that many of their enemies lost their
lives. And there Sir Priamus slew the Marquis of Moises land, and Sir
Gawaine with his fellows so quit them that they had the field, but in
that stour was Sir Chestelaine, a child and ward of Sir Gawaine slain,
wherefore was much sorrow made, and his death was soon avenged. Thus
was the battle ended, and many lords of Lombardy and Saracens left dead
in the field.
Then Sir Florence and Sir Gawaine harboured surely their people, and
took great plenty of bestial, of gold and silver, and great treasure
and riches, and returned unto King Arthur, which lay still at the
siege. And when they came to the king they presented their prisoners
and recounted their adventures, and how they had vanquished their
enemies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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