Now four banners, with self-same bearing, were led 'gainst that gallant knight, (And bold riders they rode beneath them, and their lord was a man of might,) And on each was the tail of a gryphon; and that hinder part I trow Was e'en as a hailstorm smiting, so rode they in goodly row. And Gascony's king before them the fore part of that gryphon bare 225 On his shield; he was skilled in battle, and his body was armed full fair As women alone might arm him; and he rode forth his knights before Where he saw on a helm the Ostrich, but the Anchor towards him bore, And he thrust him from off his charger, the brave king of Zassamank, And made of him there his captive. Here close thronged the knightly ranks, 230 And the furrows were trodden level, and their locks must the sword-blade know, And many a wood was wasted, and many a knight laid low-- And they who thus fell, 'twas told me, they turned their chargers round And hied to the back of the Tourney, where none but the cowards were found. And so near was I ween the combat that the women might see aright 235 Who there won the prize of valour; Rivalein that love-lorn knight With his spear hewed afresh a token, of Loheneis was he king, And the crash of the splintered spear-shaft did aye with his onslaught ring. Of a knight did Morhold rob them, for he drew him from off his steed And lifted him up before him (unseemly methinks such deed) 340 And Killirjacac they called him,--and ere this King Lac had ta'en Such payment from him as in falling a knight from the earth may gain-- So his deeds had been fair and knightly; then this valiant man he thought He would take him with never a sword-thrust, and the knight in his arms he caught. Then the hand of the valiant Kailet it smote from the saddle-bow 245 The Duke of Brabant, Prince Lambekein, and the hero was laid alow. And what think ye they did, his soldiers? Their swords into shields they turned, And with them did they guard their monarch--And ever for strife they yearned.