الفصل الفصل 180 · How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Breunor, and at the last

. How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Breunor, and at the last

smote off his head.

Now take thine horse: sithen I am ladyless I will win thy lady an I

may.

Then they took their horses and came together as it had been the

thunder; and Sir Tristram smote Sir Breunor clean from his horse, and

lightly he rose up; and as Sir Tristram came again by him he thrust his

horse throughout both the shoulders, that his horse hurled here and

there and fell dead to the ground. And ever Sir Breunor ran after to

have slain Sir Tristram, but Sir Tristram was light and nimble, and

voided his horse lightly. And or ever Sir Tristram might dress his

shield and his sword the other gave him three or four sad strokes. Then

they rushed together like two boars, tracing and traversing mightily

and wisely as two noble knights. For this Sir Breunor was a proved

knight, and had been or then the death of many good knights, that it

was pity that he had so long endured.

Thus they fought, hurling here and there nigh two hours, and either

were wounded sore. Then at the last Sir Breunor rashed upon Sir

Tristram and took him in his arms, for he trusted much in his strength.

Then was Sir Tristram called the strongest and the highest knight of

the world; for he was called bigger than Sir Launcelot, but Sir

Launcelot was better breathed. So anon Sir Tristram thrust Sir Breunor

down grovelling, and then he unlaced his helm and struck off his head.

And then all they that longed to the castle came to him, and did him

homage and fealty, praying him that he would abide there still a little

while to fordo that foul custom. Sir Tristram granted thereto. The

meanwhile one of the knights of the castle rode unto Sir Galahad, the

haut prince, the which was Sir Breunor’s son, which was a noble knight,

and told him what misadventure his father had and his mother.