night gat a spear, and therewith they ran together that Arthur's
spear all to-shivered. But the other knight hit him so hard in midst of
the shield, that horse and man fell to the earth, and therewith Arthur
was eager, and pulled out his sword, and said, I will assay thee, sir
knight, on foot, for I have lost the honour on horseback. I will be
on horseback, said the knight. Then was Arthur wroth, and dressed his
shield toward him with his sword drawn. When the knight saw that, he
alighted, for him thought no worship to have a knight at such avail, he
to be on horseback and he on foot, and so he alighted and dressed his
shield unto Arthur. And there 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 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. It is King Arthur. Then
would he have slain him for dread of his wrath, and heaved up his sword,
and therewith Merlin cast an enchantment to the knight, that he fell to
the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin took up King Arthur, and rode
forth on the knight's horse. Alas! said Arthur, what hast thou don