Whiles thus they communed, lo farre away ix A Knight soft ryding towards them they spyde, Attyr’d in forraine armes and straunge aray: Whom when they nigh approcht, they plaine descryde To be the same, for whom they did abyde. Sayd then Sir _Scudamour_, Sir _Saluage_ knight Let me this craue, sith first I was defyde, That first I may that wrong to him requite: And if I hap to fayle, you shall recure my right. Which being yeelded, he his threatfull speare x Gan fewter, and against her fiercely ran. Who soone as she him saw approaching neare With so fell rage, her selfe she lightly gan To dight, to welcome him, well as she can: But entertaind him in so rude a wise, That to the ground she smote both horse and man; Whence neither greatly hasted to arise, But on their common harmes together did deuise. But _Artegall_ beholding his mischaunce, xi New matter added to his former fire; And eft auentring his steeleheaded launce, Against her rode, full of despiteous ire, That nought but spoyle and vengeance did require. But to himselfe his felonous intent Returning, disappointed his desire, Whiles vnawares his saddle he forwent, And found himselfe on ground in great amazement. Lightly he started vp out of that stound, xii And snatching forth his direfull deadly blade, Did leape to her, as doth an eger hound Thrust to an Hynd within some couert glade, Whom without perill he cannot inuade. With such fell greedines he her assayled, That though she mounted were, yet he her made To giue him ground, (so much his force preuayled) And shun his mightie strokes, gainst which no armes auayled. So as they coursed here and there, it chaunst xiii That in her wheeling round, behind her crest So sorely he her strooke, that thence it glaunst Adowne her backe, the which it fairely blest From foule mischance; ne did it euer rest, Till on her horses hinder parts it fell; Where byting deepe, so deadly it imprest, That quite it chynd his backe behind the sell, And to alight on foote her algates did compell. Like as the lightning brond from riuen skie, xiv Throwne out by angry _Ioue_ in his vengeance, With dreadfull force falles on some steeple hie; Which battring, downe it on the church doth glance, And teares it all with terrible mischance. Yet she no whit dismayd, her steed forsooke, And casting from her that enchaunted lance, Vnto her sword and shield her soone betooke; And therewithall at him right furiously she strooke.