Kabanata Kabanata 405 · How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, and how after he

. How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, and how after he

would have slain Sir Bors.

Then oft Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors: Why will ye let me die here

for your sake? if it please you that I die for you the death, it will

please me the better for to save a worthy man. With that word Sir

Lionel smote off the helm from his head. Then Colgrevance saw that he

might not escape; then he said: Fair sweet Jesu, that I have misdone

have mercy upon my soul, for such sorrow that my heart suffereth for

goodness, and for alms deed that I would have done here, be to me

aligement of penance unto my soul’s health. At these words Lionel smote

him so sore that he bare him to the earth. So he had slain Colgrevance

he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such a stroke

that he made him stoop. And he that was full of humility prayed him for

God’s love to leave this battle: For an it befell, fair brother, that I

slew you or ye me, we should be dead of that sin. Never God me help but

if I have on you mercy, an I may have the better hand. Then drew Bors

his sword, all weeping, and said: Fair brother, God knoweth mine

intent. Ah, fair brother, ye have done full evil this day to slay such

an holy priest the which never trespassed. Also ye have slain a gentle

knight, and one of our fellows. And well wot ye that I am not afeard of

you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God, and this is an unkindly war,

therefore God show miracle upon us both. Now God have mercy upon me

though I defend my life against my brother: with that Bors lift up his

hand and would have smitten his brother.