Arriuing there, as did by chaunce befall, xix He found the gate wyde ope, and in he rode, Ne stayd, till that he came into the hall: Where soft dismounting like a weary lode, Vpon the ground with feeble feete he trode, As he vnable were for very neede To moue one foote, but there must make abode; The whiles the saluage man did take his steede, And in some stable neare did set him vp to feede. Ere long to him a homely groome there came, xx That in rude wise him asked, what he was, That durst so boldly, without let or shame, Into his Lords forbidden hall to passe. To whom the Prince, him fayning to embase, Mylde answer made; he was an errant Knight, The which was fall’n into this feeble case, Through many wounds, which lately he in fight[493] Receiued had, and prayd to pitty his ill plight. But he, the more outrageous and bold, xxi Sternely did bid him quickely thence auaunt, Or deare aby, for why his Lord of old Did hate all errant Knights, which there did haunt, Ne lodging would to any of them graunt, And therefore lightly bad him packe away, Not sparing him with bitter words to taunt; And therewithall rude hand on him did lay, To thrust him out of dore, doing his worst assay. Which when the Saluage comming now in place, xxii Beheld, eftsoones he all enraged grew, And running streight vpon that villaine base, Like a fell Lion at him fiercely flew, And with his teeth and nailes, in present vew, Him rudely rent, and all to peeces tore: So miserably him all helpelesse slew, That with the noise, whilest he did loudly rore, The people of the house rose forth in great vprore. Who when on ground they saw their fellow slaine, xxiii And that same Knight and Saluage standing by, Vpon them two they fell with might and maine, And on them layd so huge and horribly, As if they would haue slaine them presently. But the bold Prince defended him so well, And their assault withstood so mightily, That maugre all their might, he did repell, And beat them back, whilest many vnderneath him fell. Yet he them still so sharpely did pursew, xxiv That few of them he left aliue, which fled, Those euill tidings to their Lord to shew. Who hearing how his people badly sped, Came forth in hast: where when as with the dead He saw the ground all strow’d, and that same Knight And saluage with their bloud fresh steeming red, He woxe nigh mad with wrath and fell despight, And with reprochfull words him thus bespake on hight.