บทที่ บทที่ 100 · How the Saracens came out of a wood for to rescue their

. How the Saracens came out of a wood for to rescue their

beasts, and of a great battle.

Then Sir Florence called to him Sir Floridas, with an hundred knights,

and drove forth the herd of beasts. Then followed him seven hundred men

of arms; and Sir Ferant of Spain on a fair steed came springing out of

the woods, and came to Sir Florence and asked him why he fled. Then Sir

Florence took his spear and rode against him, and smote him in the

forehead and brake his neck bone. Then all the other were moved, and

thought to avenge the death of Sir Ferant, and smote in among them, and

there was great fight, and many slain and laid down to ground, and Sir

Florence with his hundred knights alway kept the stale, and fought

manly.

Then when Priamus the good knight perceived the great fight, he went to

Sir Gawaine, and bade him that he should go and succour his fellowship,

which were sore bestead with their enemies. Sir, grieve you not, said

Sir Gawaine, for their gree shall be theirs. I shall not once move my

horse to them ward, but if I see more than there be; for they be strong

enough to match them.

And with that he saw an earl called Sir Ethelwold and the duke of

Dutchmen, came leaping out of a wood with many thousands, and Priamus’

knights, and came straight unto the battle. Then Sir Gawaine comforted

his knights, and bade them not to be abashed, for all shall be ours.

Then they began to wallop and met with their enemies, there were men

slain and overthrown on every side. Then thrust in among them the

knights of the Table Round, and smote down to the earth all them that

withstood them, in so much that they made them to recoil and flee. By

God, said Sir Gawaine, this gladdeth my heart, for now be they less in

number by twenty thousand. Then entered into the battle Jubance a

giant, and fought and slew down right, and distressed many of our

knights, among whom was slain Sir Gherard, a knight of Wales. Then our

knights took heart to them, and slew many Saracens. And then came in

Sir Priamus with his pennon, and rode with the knights of the Round

Table, and fought so manfully that many of their enemies lost their

lives. And there Sir Priamus slew the Marquis of Moises land, and Sir

Gawaine with his fellows so quit them that they had the field, but in

that stour was Sir Chestelaine, a child and ward of Sir Gawaine slain,

wherefore was much sorrow made, and his death was soon avenged. Thus

was the battle ended, and many lords of Lombardy and Saracens left dead

in the field.

Then Sir Florence and Sir Gawaine harboured surely their people, and

took great plenty of bestial, of gold and silver, and great treasure

and riches, and returned unto King Arthur, which lay still at the

siege. And when they came to the king they presented their prisoners

and recounted their adventures, and how they had vanquished their

enemies.