บทที่ บทที่ 33 · How Balin was pursued by Sir Lanceor, knight of Ireland, and

. How Balin was pursued by Sir Lanceor, knight of Ireland, and

how he jousted and slew him.

And so this Lady Lile of Avelion took her this sword that she brought

with her, and told there should no man pull it out of the sheath but if

he be one of the best knights of this realm, and he should be hard and

full of prowess, and with that sword he should slay her brother. This

was the cause that the damosel came into this court. I know it as well

as ye. Would God she had not come into this court, but she came never

in fellowship of worship to do good, but always great harm; and that

knight that hath achieved the sword shall be destroyed by that sword,

for the which will be great damage, for there liveth not a knight of

more prowess than he is, and he shall do unto you, my Lord Arthur,

great honour and kindness; and it is great pity he shall not endure but

a while, for of his strength and hardiness I know not his match living.

So the knight of Ireland armed him at all points, and dressed his

shield on his shoulder, and mounted upon horseback, and took his spear

in his hand, and rode after a great pace, as much as his horse might

go; and within a little space on a mountain he had a sight of Balin,

and with a loud voice he cried, Abide, knight, for ye shall abide

whether ye will or nill, and the shield that is to-fore you shall not

help. When Balin heard the noise, he turned his horse fiercely, and

said, Fair knight, what will ye with me, will ye joust with me? Yea,

said the Irish knight, therefore come I after you. Peradventure, said

Balin, it had been better to have holden you at home, for many a man

weeneth to put his enemy to a rebuke, and oft it falleth to himself. Of

what court be ye sent from? said Balin. I am come from the court of

King Arthur, said the knight of Ireland, that come hither for to

revenge the despite ye did this day to King Arthur and to his court.

Well, said Balin, I see well I must have ado with you, that me

forthinketh for to grieve King Arthur, or any of his court; and your

quarrel is full simple, said Balin, unto me, for the lady that is dead,

did me great damage, and else would I have been loath as any knight

that liveth for to slay a lady. Make you ready, said the knight

Lanceor, and dress you unto me, for that one shall abide in the field.

Then they took their spears, and came together as much as their horses

might drive, and the Irish knight smote Balin on the shield, that all

went shivers off his spear, and Balin hit him through the shield, and

the hauberk perished, and so pierced through his body and the horse’s

croup, and anon turned his horse fiercely, and drew out his sword, and

wist not that he had slain him; and then he saw him lie as a dead

corpse.