When Lionel understood his words he took his shield afore him, and
asked him what that he was. And he told him, Colgrevance, one of his
fellows. Then Lionel defied him, and gave him a great stroke through
the helm. Then he drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, and
defended him right manfully. So long dured the battle that Bors rose up
all anguishly, and beheld [how] Colgrevance, the good knight, fought
with his brother for his quarrel; then was he full sorry and heavy, and
thought if Colgrevance slew him that was his brother he should never
have joy; and if his brother slew Colgrevance the shame should ever be
mine. Then would he have risen to have departed them, but he had not so
much might to stand on foot; so he abode him so long till Colgrevance
had the worse, for Lionel was of great chivalry and right hardy, for he
had pierced the hauberk and the helm, that he abode but death, for he
had lost much of his blood that it was marvel that he might stand
upright. Then beheld he Sir Bors which sat dressing him upward and
said: Ah, Bors, why come ye not to cast me out of peril of death,
wherein I have put me to succour you which were right now nigh the
death? Certes, said Lionel, that shall not avail you, for none of you
shall bear others warrant, but that ye shall die both of my hand. When
Bors heard that, he did so much, he rose and put on his helm. Then
perceived he first the hermit-priest which was slain, then made he a
marvellous sorrow upon him.
CHAPTER XVI. How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, and how after he
would have slain Sir Bors.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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