Bab Bab 88 · How Sir Uwaine fought with two knights and overcame

. How Sir Uwaine fought with two knights and overcame

them.

So was there sikerness made on both parties that no treason should be

wrought on neither party; so then the knights departed and made them

ready, and that night Sir Uwaine had great cheer. And on the morn he

arose early and heard mass, and brake his fast, and so he rode unto the

plain without the gates, where hoved the two brethren abiding him. So

they rode together passing sore, that Sir Edward and Sir Hue brake

their spears upon Sir Uwaine. And Sir Uwaine smote Sir Edward that he

fell over his horse and yet his spear brast not. And then he spurred

his horse and came upon Sir Hue and overthrew him, but they soon

recovered and dressed their shields and drew their swords and bade Sir

Uwaine alight and do his battle to the uttermost. Then Sir Uwaine

devoided his horse suddenly, and put his shield afore him and drew his

sword, and so they dressed together, and either gave other such

strokes, and there these two brethren wounded Sir Uwaine passing

grievously that the Lady of the Rock weened he should have died. And

thus they fought together five hours as men raged out of reason. And at

the last Sir Uwaine smote Sir Edward upon the helm such a stroke that

his sword carved unto his canel bone, and then Sir Hue abated his

courage, but Sir Uwaine pressed fast to have slain him. That saw Sir

Hue: he kneeled down and yielded him to Sir Uwaine. And he of his

gentleness received his sword, and took him by the hand, and went into

the castle together. Then the Lady of the Rock was passing glad, and

the other brother made great sorrow for his brother’s death. Then the

lady was restored of all her lands, and Sir Hue was commanded to be at

the court of King Arthur at the next feast of Pentecost. So Sir Uwaine

dwelt with the lady nigh half a year, for it was long or he might be

whole of his great hurts. And so when it drew nigh the term-day that

Sir Gawaine, Sir Marhaus, and Sir Uwaine should meet at the cross-way,

then every knight drew him thither to hold his promise that they had

made; and Sir Marhaus and Sir Uwaine brought their damosels with them,

but Sir Gawaine had lost his damosel, as it is afore rehearsed.