Full many strokes, that mortally were ment, xvii The whiles were enterchaunged twixt them two; Yet they were all with so good wariment Or warded, or auoyded and let goe, That still the life stood fearelesse of her foe: Till _Diamond_ disdeigning long delay Of doubtfull fortune wauering to and fro, Resolu’d to end it one or other way; And heau’d his murdrous axe at him with mighty sway. The dreadfull stroke in case it had arriued, xviii Where it was ment, (so deadly it was ment[53]) The soule had sure out of his bodie riued, And stinted all the strife incontinent. But _Cambels_ fate that fortune did preuent: For seeing it at hand, he swaru’d asyde, And so gaue way vnto his fell intent: Who missing of the marke which he had eyde, Was with the force nigh feld whilst his right foot did slyde. As when a Vulture greedie of his pray, xix Through hunger long, that hart to him doth lend, Strikes at an Heron with all his bodies sway, That from his force seemes nought may it defend; The warie fowle that spies him toward bend[54] His dreadfull souse, auoydes it[55] shunning light, And maketh him his wing in vaine to spend; That with the weight of his owne weeldlesse might, He falleth nigh to ground, and scarse recouereth flight. Which faire adventure when _Cambello_ spide, xx Full lightly, ere himselfe he could recower[56], From daungers dread to ward his naked side, He can let driue at him with all his power, And with his axe him smote in euill hower, That from his shoulders quite his head he reft: The headlesse tronke, as heedlesse of that stower, Stood still a while, and his fast footing kept, Till feeling life to fayle, it fell, and deadly slept. They which that piteous spectacle beheld, xxi Were much amaz’d the headlesse tronke to see Stand vp so long, and weapon vaine to weld, Vnweeting of the Fates diuine decree, For lifes succession in those brethren three. For notwithstanding that one soule was reft, Yet, had the bodie not dismembred bee, It would haue liued, and reuiued eft; But finding no fit seat, the lifelesse corse it left. It left; but that same soule, which therein dwelt, xxii Streight entring into _Triamond_, him fild With double life, and griefe, which when he felt, As one whose inner parts had bene ythrild With point of steele, that close his hartbloud spild, He lightly lept out of his place of rest, And rushing forth into the emptie field, Against _Cambello_ fiercely him addrest; Who him affronting soone to fight was readie prest.