began a strong battle with many great strokes, and so hewed with
their swords that the cantels flew in the fields, and much blood
they bled both, that all the place there as they fought was
overbled with blood, and thus they fought long and rested them,
and then they went to the battle again, and so hurtled together
like two rams that either fell to the earth. So at the last they
smote together that both their swords met even together. But the
sword of the knight smote King Arthur's sword in two pieces,
wherefore he was heavy. Then said the knight unto Arthur, Thou
art in my daunger whether me list to save thee or slay thee, and
but thou yield thee as overcome and recreant, thou shalt die. As
for death, said King Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh, but to
yield me unto thee as recreant I had liefer die than to be so
shamed. And therewithal the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took
him by the middle and threw him down, and raced off his helm.
When the knight felt that he was adread, for he was a passing big
man of might, and anon he brought Arthur under him, and raced off
his helm and would have smitten off his head.



CHAPTER XXIV

How Merlin saved Arthur's life, and threw an enchantment
on King Pellinore and made him to sleep.

THEREWITHAL came Merlin and said, Knight, hold thy hand, for an
thou slay that knight thou puttest this realm <44>in the greatest
damage that ever was realm: for this knight is a man of more
worship than thou wotest of. Why, who is he? said the knight.