Who came at length all arm’d in seemely wise Into the lists, and when the trumpe did sound, Our steeds as swift as birds of wings in skies, Their course did run, and we with speares sharpe ground Did fiercely meete each other to confound, In which swift course our shattered speares did flie, Like feathers borne by winde into the skie. 69. As two fierce buls fights twixt an heard of kine, Whose violence doth increase, when in their sight The crimson blood doth from their wounds decline, So wounds giuen equally in doubtfull fight, Our eager thoughts did to reuenge excite, The anguish arm’d our armes with strength to strike, And made vs both incounter lion-like. 70. On horsback first the fight we did maintaine, And when our horse did faile, dismounting straight On foote the fight we did begin againe, In which my foes haut courage gan to abate, I with my sword laid on such wounds of weight, That his faint knees did stoope at euerie blow, And in the fight did stagger to and fro. 71. Who tir’d with toile and fearing least my sword Should beare away the palme of victorie, Thus spake to me: “Forbeare,” quoth he, “braue lord, This doubtfull fight, and let vs both agree To ioyne our harts and hands in amitie, Least that our swords each other do destroy, Leauing this land for others to inioy. 72. Right well thou knowst the chance of victorie Vncertaine is, and though the crowne thou claime As due to thee and thy posteritie, So, noble prince, I, in my father’s name, As my inheritance do craue the same: In one consent then let vs both agree That England’s bounds twixt vs may parted bee. 73. Let not the inward hands of dogged hate Teare thy great minde, but supple it with grace Of heauenlie loue, let loue end our debate, Which if in thought thou trulie canst imbrace, Then in my hart thou hast a brother’s place, To which all-seeing Ioue I witnesse call, Who is the supreame souereigne of vs all.” 74. To this I pausde a while, but at the length Conceauing well the combat’s doubtfull chance, “_Canute_,” said I, “since God hath giuen thee strength In fight to trie the manage of my lance And slaughtering sword without thy life’s mischance, I thinke right well his will likewise it bee, That in my kingdome thou haue part with me.” 75.