Sparrow-Hawk. "Fetch it not," said Geraint, "for there is here a
maiden, who is fairer, and more noble, and more comely, and who has a
better claim to it than thou." "If thou maintainest the Sparrow-Hawk
to be due to her, come forward, and do battle with me." And Geraint
went forward to the top of the meadow, having upon himself and upon
his horse armour which was heavy, and rusty, and worthless, and of
uncouth shape. Then they encountered each other, and they broke a
set of lances, and they broke a second set, and a third. And thus
they did at every onset, and they broke as many lances as were
brought to them. And when the Earl and his company saw the Knight of
the Sparrow-Hawk gaining the mastery, there was shouting, and joy,
and mirth amongst them. And the hoary-headed man, and his wife, and
his daughter were sorrowful. And the hoary-headed man served Geraint
lances as often as he broke them, and the dwarf served the Knight of
the Sparrow-Hawk. Then the hoary-headed man came to Geraint. "Oh!
chieftain," said he, "since no other will hold with thee, behold,
here is the lance which was in my hand on the day when I received the
honour of knighthood; and from that time to this I never broke it.
And it has an excellent point." Then Geraint took the lance,
thanking the hoary-headed man. And thereupon the dwarf also brought
a lance to his lord. "Behold, here is a lance for thee, not less
good than his," said the dwarf. "And bethink thee, that no knight
ever withstood thee before so long as this one has done." "I declare
to Heaven," said Geraint, "that unless death takes me quickly hence,
he shall fare never the better for thy service." And Geraint pricked
his horse towards him from afar, and warning him, he rushed upon him,
and gave him a blow so severe, and furious, and fierce, upon the face
of his shield, that he cleft it in two, and broke his armour, and
burst his girths, so that both he and his saddle were borne to the
ground over the horse's crupper. And Geraint dismounted quickly.