oremost ranks of either party rushed upon each other in full gallop,
and met in the middle of the lists with a shock the sound of which was
heard at a mile's distance. The rear rank of each party advanced at a
slower pace to sustain the defeated, and follow up the success of the
victors, of their party.

The consequences of the encounter were not instantly seen, for the dust
raised by the trampling of so many steeds darkened the air, and it was a
minute ere the anxious spectators could see the fate of the encounter.
When the fight became visible, half the knights on each side were
dismounted--some by the dexterity of their adversary's lance; some by
the superior weight and strength of opponents, which had borne down both
horse and man; some lay stretched on earth as if never more to rise;
some had already gained their feet, and were closing hand to hand with
those of their antagonists who were in the same predicament; and several
on both sides, who had received wounds by which they were disabled, were
stopping their blood by their scarfs, and endeavoring to extricate
themselves from the tumult. The mounted knights, whose lances had been
almost all broken by the fury of the encounter, were now closely engaged
with their swords, shouting their war-cries, and exchanging buffets, as
if honor and life depended on the issue of the combat.

The tumult was presently increased by the advance of the second rank on
either side, which, acting as a reserve, now rushed on to aid their
companions. The followers of Brian de Bois-Guilbert shouted--"_Ha!
Beau-seant! Beau-seant!_[79-14] For the Temple! For the Temple!" The
opposite shouted in answer--"_Desdichado! Desdichado!_" which watchword
they took from the motto upon their leaders' shield.

The champions thus encountering each other with the utmost fury, and
with alternate success, the tide of battle seemed to flow now toward the
southern, now toward the northern, extremity of the lists, as the one or
the other party prevailed. Meantime the clang of the blows and the
shouts of the combatants mixed fearfully with the sound of the trumpets,
and drowned the groans of those who fell, and lay rolling defenceless
beneath the feet of the horses. The splendid armor of the combatants was
now defaced with dust and blood, and gave way at every stroke of the
sword and battle-axe. The gay plumage, shorn from the crests, drifted
upon the breeze like snowflakes. All that was beautiful and gracefu