twixt them,
and said: An ye be so hardy to do so more, we two shall meddle together.

When Lionel understood his words he took his shield afore him, and asked
him what that he was. And he told him, Colgrevance, one of his fellows.
Then Lionel defied him, and gave him a great stroke through the helm.
Then he drew his sword, for he was a passing good knight, and defended
him right manfully. So long dured the battle that Bors rose up all
anguishly, and beheld [how] Colgrevance, the good knight, fought with
his brother for his quarrel; then was he full sorry and heavy, and
thought if Colgrevance slew him that was his brother he should never
have joy; and if his brother slew Colgrevance the shame should ever be
mine. Then would he have risen to have departed them, but he had not so
much might to stand on foot; so he abode him so long till Colgrevance
had the worse, for Lionel was of great chivalry and right hardy, for he
had pierced the hauberk and the helm, that he abode but death, for
he had lost much of his blood that it was marvel that he might stand
upright. Then beheld he Sir Bors which sat dressing him upward and said:
Ah, Bors, why come ye not to cast me out of peril of death, wherein I
have put me to succour you which were right now nigh the death? Certes,
said Lionel, that shall not avail you, for none of you shall bear others
warrant, but that ye shall die both of my hand. When Bors heard that,
he did so much, he rose and put on his helm. Then perceived he first
the hermit-priest which was slain, then made he a marvellous sorrow upon
him.

CHAPTER XVI. How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance, and how after he would
have slain Sir Bors.

THEN oft Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors: Why will ye let me die here
for your sake? if it please you that I die for you the death, it will
please me the better for to save a worthy man. With that word Sir Lionel
smote off the helm from his head. Then Colgrevance saw that he might not
escape; then he said: Fair sweet Jesu, that I have misdone have mercy
upon my soul, for such sorrow that my heart suffereth for goodness, and
for alms deed that I would have done here, be to me aligement of penance
unto my soul's health. At these words Lionel smote him so sore that
he bare him to the earth. So he had slain Colgrevance he ran upon his
brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him
stoop. And he that was full of humility prayed him for God's love to
leave thi