Then the Count of Montane rode 'gainst Gawain, and a goodly joust they ran, And behind his horse, on the meadow, lay the brave Knight Lahduman, And the hero, proud and gallant, his pledge unto Gawain gave. And nearest of all to the ramparts fought Duke Astor with heroes brave, 710 And many a joust was ridden, and many a spear was crossed; 'Nantes! Nantes!' came the war-cry pealing, the cry of King Arthur's host, Firm they stood, and no whit they yielded, the captive Breton knights, And hirelings from Erec's kingdom and men spake of their deeds of might-- The Duke of Lanveronz led them--So well did they fight that day 715 That Poidikonjonz well might free them, since his captives they were alway; At the mountain Cluse from King Arthur, in the days that were long gone by, As his prisoners did he win them, when they stormed him right valiantly. And here, as was aye their custom, where'er they might chance to fight, They shouted 'Nantes' as their war-cry, 'twas the way of these men of might; 720 And many had waxed grey-bearded, and on every Breton breast Or high on their helmet gleaming stood a Gampilon for their crest. For as Ilinot's arms they bare it, who was Arthur's gallant son-- And Gawain he sighed as he saw it (small fame he 'gainst these had won). And his heart awoke to sorrow for the blazon right well he knew, 725 And it filled him again with anguish for the death of his kinsman true. And his eyes ran o'er with tear-drops, and he passed them upon the field, Nor with them would he fight--Thus to friendship a hero full oft shall yield! Then he rode on to Meljanz' army, whom the Burgers with might withstood, And their rightful meed of honour they won from the warriors good; 730 Tho' perforce 'gainst o'ermastering numbers they had failed to hold the field, And backward within their trenches awhile to the foe must yield.