was of knight, for of thy prowess and hardiness thou hast no
fellow living. Me repenteth, said Balin, that ever I came within
this country, but I may not turn now again for shame, and what
adventure shall fall to me, be it life or death, I will take the
adventure that shall come to me. And then he looked on his
armour, and understood he was well armed, and therewith blessed
him and mounted upon his horse.



CHAPTER XVIII

How Balin met with his brother Balan, and how each of
them slew other unknown, till they were wounded to death.

THEN afore him he saw come riding out of a castle a knight, and
his horse trapped all red, and himself in the same colour. When
this knight in the red beheld Balin, him thought it should be his
brother Balin by cause of his two <75>swords, but by cause he
knew not his shield he deemed it was not he. And so they
aventryd their spears and came marvellously fast together, and
they smote each other in the shields, but their spears and their
course were so big that it bare down horse and man, that they lay
both in a swoon. But Balin was bruised sore with the fall of his
horse, for he was weary of travel. And Balan was the first that
rose on foot and drew his sword, and went toward Balin, and he
arose and went against him; but Balan smote Balin first, and he
put up his shield and smote him through the shield and tamed his
helm. Then Balin smote him again with that unhappy sword, and
well-nigh had felled his brother Balan, and so they fought there