But comming to the riuers side, he found xxx That hardly passable on foote it was: Therefore there still he stood as in a stound, Ne wist which way he through the foord mote pas. Thus whilest he was in this distressed case, Deuising what to doe, he nigh espyde An armed Knight approaching to the place, With a faire Lady lincked by his syde, The which themselues prepard thorough[447] the foord to ride.[448] Whom _Calepine_ saluting (as became) xxxi Besought of courtesie in that his neede, For safe conducting of his sickely Dame, Through that same perillous foord with better heede, To take him vp behinde vpon his steed. To whom that other did this taunt returne. Perdy thou peasant Knight, mightst rightly reed Me then to be full base and euill borne, If I would beare behinde a burden of such scorne. But as thou hast thy steed forlorne with shame, xxxii So fare on foote till thou another gayne, And let thy Lady likewise doe the same. Or beare her on thy backe with pleasing payne, And proue thy manhood on the billowes vayne. With which rude speach his Lady much displeased,[449] Did him reproue, yet could him not restrayne, And would on her owne Palfrey him haue eased, For pitty of his Dame, whom she saw so diseased. Sir _Calepine_ her thanckt, yet inly wroth xxxiii Against her Knight, her gentlenesse refused, And carelesly into the riuer goth, As in despight to be so fowle abused Of a rude churle, whom often he accused Of fowle discourtesie, vnfit for Knight;[450] And strongly wading through the waues vnused, With speare in th’one hand, stayd him selfe vpright, With th’other staide his Lady vp with steddy might. And all the while, that same discourteous Knight, xxxiv Stood on the further bancke beholding him, At whose calamity, for more despight He laught, and mockt to see him like to swim. But when as _Calepine_ came to the brim, And saw his carriage past that perill well, Looking at that same Carle with count’nance grim, His heart with vengeaunce inwardly did swell, And forth at last did breake in speaches sharpe and fell. Vnknightly Knight, the blemish of that name, xxxv And blot of all that armes vppon them take, Which[451] is the badge of honour and of fame, Loe I defie thee, and here challenge make, That thou for euer doe those armes forsake, And be for euer held a recreant Knight, Vnlesse thou dare for thy deare Ladies sake, And for thine owne defence on foote alight, To iustifie thy fault gainst me in equall fight.