Now came a third: a black knight and a black Enormous steed. No words he wasted. But, The fierce spears splintered, from the baldrics burned Swift blades: and Battle held his breath a while To see the great shields rock beneath great blows, Oppose, deploy, as hilt to hilt they hewed At heaume and gorget. While the conflict dripped Between the splintered greaves from many wounds. Then Peredur, his whole strength wrenching at Unyielding shelter of his foeman's shield, Beat down his guard and smote.--And Addanc lay Beneath the son of Evrawc, whose swift hands Razed off his casque and laid a blind blade bare Across hot eyes, and set a heel of steel Upon his throat and said: "Thou coward curse! What woman wilt thou war with now?--'Tis well Thy features are thus evil and might breed Nightmares among the kestrels, kites, and crows, Else hadst thou been, ere this,--so says my sword,-- A head the shorter! and that head hung high Upon the highest battlement. What now! What wilt thou do for thy vile life? what now! Speak! or I smite! O thou base villainy, Out on thy ugly mouth!--Speak!" Cursing, he, A stricken bulk, growled, "Let me live! And I, Upon my knighthood, swear that I will make Unto this woman, Angharad, returns For all her losses. Let me live."--And so The sword slid from his eyes and from his neck The heel. And he arose--to make in full Due restitution of her lands to her He had so robbed and harassed. And in time This was fulfilled. But Peredur remained,-- For, to be near her and to do for her Was all his happiness,--until the land Acknowledged her with all obedience. Her rights established, what more now remained To lend excuse unto his long delay?-- And so he went to her, and led her from Amid her maidens, and bespoke her how "He would ride hence and would but say farewell." A while she gazed at him. And when she spoke The springs of tears seemed starting in her throat, Crystal and quivering. But with steady gaze, "Dost thou, my knight, desire then to go? Methought that thou wouldst tarry yet a while.-- A little while.--Well hast thou fought for me." A moment was he silent; turning then, Ground iron strides along the lofty hall, And so returned with iron strides and said: "Ay, by my God! Who knows I have not fought _For_ thee but still _against_ thee. 'Tis my curse, To love thee, love thee, love thee all these years!-- I came not here to woo. Thou wouldst but laugh.-- Haply thou hast forgotten me--thou hast!-- Yea, hast forgotten, aye long, long ago, That son of Evrawc, Evrawc of the North, Who wooed thee once!... Hast memory of him yet?... Look in his eyes once more and say farewell."