The shields were so hacked and riven that the knights they must cast them by, And, shieldless, to strife betake them, and they bare them right gallantly. And a crowd of fair maidens o'er them from the palace window saw 615 The strife that below was foughten: and fierce anger awoke once more, For too nobly born I wot me was each man that he might brook That his fame should be lightly yielded, and maids on his shaming look. And helmet and sword were smitten, for shields 'gainst cold death were they, He who saw the heroes strive there had mourned for their toil that day. 620 Lischois Giwellius bare him, that fair youth, as knight so brave, True courage, and deeds undaunted, the counsel his high heart gave. And many a swift blow dealt he, as quick on Gawain he sprung, And lightly avoided from him, and his blade round his head he swung. But Gawain stood firm and undaunted, and he thought him, 'Now, let me hold 625 Thee once in mine arms, I'll repay thee thy dealings, thou hero bold!' And fiery sparks might ye look on, and the flash of the glittering blade Well wielded by hand of hero--Nor one in his station stayed, For they pressed each one on the other, backward, forward, to either side, Yet this conflict so fierce, I wot me, did ne'er of revenge betide, 630 And no hatred they bare to each other--Then the arms of Gawain at last He clasped round his gallant foeman, and the knight to the ground he cast. And I think, an I friendship sware here, I would shrink from such fond embrace, E'en tho' brotherhood it were sealing--Nor with ye would such clasp find grace! Then Gawain he bade him yield him, yet Lischois, who against his will 635 Had striven when first he felled him, was all unready still. And he quoth, 'Wherefore thus delay thee, 'tis needless, take thou my life, For better to die than to yield me--Since I wot well that in this strife The fame that was mine aforetime hath vanished beneath thy blow, Of God must I be accursèd, since my glory such goal doth know! 640 For the love of fair Orgelusé have I served her with knightly hand, And many a knight have I felled here, for none might my arm withstand. Now shalt thou be heir to my glory, for it falleth to thee of right If thou, who my fame hath ended, here endeth my life, Sir Knight.'