if we hie us hence, it will harm us both, for we
be sore hurt, never like to recover; but take heed to my page, that
he no horn blow, for if he do, there be hoving here fast by an hundred
knights awaiting on my person, and if they take thee, there shall no
ransom of gold nor silver acquit thee.

Then Sir Gawaine rode over a water for to save him, and the knight
followed him, and so rode forth till they came to his fellows which were
in the meadow, where they had been all the night. Anon as Sir Wisshard
was ware of Sir Gawaine and saw that he was hurt, he ran to him
sorrowfully weeping, and demanded of him who had so hurt him; and
Gawaine told how he had foughten with that man, and each of them had
hurt other, and how he had salves to heal them; but I can tell you other
tidings, that soon we shall have ado with many enemies.

Then Sir Priamus and Sir Gawaine alighted, and let their horses graze in
the meadow, and unarmed them, and then the blood ran freshly from their
wounds. And Priamus took from his page a vial full of the four waters
that came out of Paradise, and with certain balm anointed their wounds,
and washed them with that water, and within an hour after they were
both as whole as ever they were. And then with a trumpet were they all
assembled to council, and there Priamus told unto them what lords and
knights had sworn to rescue him, and that without fail they should be
assailed with many thousands, wherefore he counselled them to withdraw
them. Then Sir Gawaine said, it were great shame to them to avoid
without any strokes; Wherefore I advise to take our arms and to make
us ready to meet with these Saracens and misbelieving men, and with the
help of God we shall overthrow them and have a fair day on them. And Sir
Florence shall abide still in this field to keep the stale as a noble
knight, and we shall not forsake yonder fellows. Now, said Priamus,
cease your words, for I warn you ye shall find in yonder woods many
perilous knights; they will put forth beasts to call you on, they be out
of number, and ye are not past seven hundred, which be over few to fight
with so many. Nevertheless, said Sir Gawaine, we shall once encounter
them, and see what they can do, and the best shall have the victory.

CHAPTER XI. How the Saracens came out of a wood for to rescue their
beasts, and of a great battle.

THEN Sir Florence called to him Sir Floridas, with an hundred knights,
and drove forth the herd of beasts. Th