r and worth. Had they been sons
of kings, who were but earls, the story of their gestes would be sung
by the minstrels, as I deem, about the world, so marvellous were their
feats. These three fair lords raged wondrously amongst the Romans.
Not one who came to their hands but gasped out his life, whether by
lance-thrust or sword. They forced a path to the eagle of the emperor,
but the bearers arrayed themselves against them, and cutting them off
from their companions, slew them amidst their foes. Hoel and Gawain,
his cousin, were distraught with anger when they regarded the mischief
dealt them by the Romans. To avenge their comrades, to wreak damage
upon their adversaries, they entered amongst them as lions in the
field. They smote down and did much havoc to their adversaries,
cleaving a way with many terrible blows of their swords. The Romans
defended their bodies to the death. If strokes they received, strokes
they rendered again. They opposed themselves stoutly to those who
were over against them, and were as heroes contending with champions.
Gawain was a passing perilous knight. His force and manhood never
failed, so that his strength was unabated, and his hand unwearied in
battle. He showed his prowess so grimly that the Romans quailed before
him. Gawain sought the emperor in every place, because of his desire
to prove his valour. He went to and fro, seeking so tirelessly and
diligently, that at the last he found. The captains looked on the
other's face. The emperor knew again the knight, and Gawain remembered
Lucius. The two hurtled together, but each was so mighty that he fell
not from his horse. Lucius, the emperor, was a good knight, strong
and very valiant. He was skilled in all martial exercises and of much
prowess. He rejoiced greatly to adventure himself against Gawain,
whose praise was so often in the mouths of men. Should he return
living from the battle, sweetly could he boast before the ladies
of Rome. The paladins strove with lifted arm and raised buckler.
Marvellous blows they dealt with the sword. They pained themselves
greatly, doing all that craft might devise to bring the combat to an
end. Neither of them flinched, nor gave back before the other. Pieces
were hewn from the buckler, and sparks flew from the brands. They
joined together, smiting above and thrusting under, two perfect
knights, two gentle paladins, so fierce and so terrible, that had they
been left to themselves very quickly must one hav