Then oft Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors: Why will ye let me die here
for your sake? if it please you that I die for you the death, it will
please me the better for to save a worthy man. With that word Sir
Lionel smote off the helm from his head. Then Colgrevance saw that he
might not escape; then he said: Fair sweet Jesu, that I have misdone
have mercy upon my soul, for such sorrow that my heart suffereth for
goodness, and for alms deed that I would have done here, be to me
aligement of penance unto my soul’s health. At these words Lionel smote
him so sore that he bare him to the earth. So he had slain Colgrevance
he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such a stroke
that he made him stoop. And he that was full of humility prayed him for
God’s love to leave this battle: For an it befell, fair brother, that I
slew you or ye me, we should be dead of that sin. Never God me help but
if I have on you mercy, an I may have the better hand. Then drew Bors
his sword, all weeping, and said: Fair brother, God knoweth mine
intent. Ah, fair brother, ye have done full evil this day to slay such
an holy priest the which never trespassed. Also ye have slain a gentle
knight, and one of our fellows. And well wot ye that I am not afeard of
you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God, and this is an unkindly war,
therefore God show miracle upon us both. Now God have mercy upon me
though I defend my life against my brother: with that Bors lift up his
hand and would have smitten his brother.
CHAPTER XVII. How there came a voice which charged Sir Bors to touch
him not, and of a cloud that came between them.
And then he heard a voice that said: Flee Bors, and touch him not, or
else thou shalt slay him. Right so alighted a cloud betwixt them in
likeness of a fire and a marvellous flame, that both their two shields
brent. Then were they sore afraid, that they fell both to the earth,
and lay there a great while in a swoon. And when they came to themself,
Bors saw that his brother had no harm; then he held up both his hands,
for he dread God had taken vengeance upon him. With that he heard a
voice say: Bors, go hence, and bear thy brother no longer fellowship,
but take thy way anon right to the sea, for Sir Percivale abideth thee
there. Then he said to his brother: Fair sweet brother, forgive me for
God’s love all that I have trespassed unto you. Then he answered: God
forgive it thee and I do gladly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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