and sober in
counsel. He strove with the legion of Aliphatma, a King of Spain.
The two princes fought one with the other, in so great anger, that
Aliphatma was wounded to the death, and Holdin was in no better case.
Ligier, Earl of Boulogne, ran a course with the King of Babylon. I
know not who was the fairer knight, for both were shocked from their
seats. Dead upon the field lay earl and king alike. With Ligier were
slain three other earls, masters of many carles in their own lands.
Urgent, Lord of Bath, Balluc, Earl of Guitsire, and Earl Cursa of
Chester, warden of the marches of Wales, perished in a little space,
so that their men were sorely grieved. The company which followed
after their pennons flinched in the press. It gave back before the
Romans, and fled for shelter to the legion which had Gawain for its
captain, and with him Hoel, his fair friend and companion. Two such
champions you would not find, search the whole world through. Never
had knighthood seen their peers for courtesy and kindliness, as for
Wisdom and chivalry.

Now Hoel was captain of the men of Brittany. His fellowship were proud
and debonair. They were reckless of danger to such a degree that they
neither cared nor feared to whom they were opposed. As one man they
charged, and as one man they pierced through the foe. The men of
Brittany swept down on the Romans, who were pursuing their comrades,
and trampling them under in thousands. They put them speedily to the
rightabout, and rode over many in their turn. Ah!, for the griding of
their swords, and, ah!, for the captives who were taken. The company
hurtled on, till they drew to the golden eagle which was the gonfalon
of the emperor. Lucius, himself, was very near his pennon, and with
him the flower of his meinie, the gentle men and gallant knights of
Rome. Then angels and men witnessed so mortal an encounter, as never
I deem was beheld of any, since time began. Chinmark, Earl of Tigel,
rode in Hoel's cohort. He was a great baron, and wrought much mischief
to his adversaries. His day was come, for a Roman, mean of his
station, and fighting on his feet, flung a javelin at his body, so
that he died. With the earl perished two thousand of the Britons,
every man hardier than his fellows. There, too, were slain three other
earls. Jagus, to his loss, had come from Boloan. The second was hight
Cecormanus, the third, Earl Boclonius. Few indeed of Arthur's barons
might compare with these lords in valou