At Archenbraie, both battels first did braue Each other with proud proffer for the fight, There th’ensignes with the wanton winde did waue, The plume-deckt helmes with gold all horrid bright, With pale reflection glitter’d in the light, And 'bout both hosts in troopes the horsemen stood Like loftie cedars in a thicke-set wood. 12. When as the trumpe the banefull blast begunne, In clamorous noise we clos’d on either side, Brother ’gainst brother, father ’gainst the sonne Themselues oppos’d, nature in fight defi’d Euen nature’s selfe, the sun in heau’n did hide His glorious head, denying vs his light, As lothing to behold so strange a sight. 13. The soules of mortall men were put to flight, Blacke deeds of death each one did vndergo, Need boldned cowards, hope gaue wings to might, And made each one his best strength to bestow, To purchase fame by downefall of his foe, Death set on foot ran round about the field, Whole troopes of men t’her conquering stroke did yeeld. 14. In th’heate of fight, I caus’d a troope of horse To breake vpon the rereward of the foe, Who brauely gaue the charge, and with such force Their fainting troopes in heapes did ouerthrow, That they their rankes were forced to forgo, Whom I well mounted on a tall strong steed, To the maine battell did pursue with speed. 15. Where vnder th’ensigne of his royall armes, T’encounter with the king it was my chance, Who bent with his owne hands, to wreake his harmes, Did fiercely charge me with his well-aim’d lance, ’Gainst whom vnknowne my selfe I did aduance, And in my winged course with staffe in rest, I gaue the charge vpon his royall brest. 16. But heau’n did calme false fortune’s threatfull brow, And did auert the point of my sharpe speare: Yet by his ribs the flesh it vp did plow, And running through his arme made blood appeare, The stubborne staffe the king to ground did beare, Who falling from his horse in mind dismai’d, Vnto his men aloud did call for aid. 17. The voice descri’d my error, and with speed I downe dismounting to my royall sire, Did take him vp, and for my gracelesse deed His pardon vpon my knee, I did require, Pleading mistake t’appease his kingly ire, Whom I remounted, and from field conuey’d, Lest danger should his noble life inuade. 18.