m they had never known before. And many of the attendants who
were in Arthur's train were killed by the shower. After the shower had
ceased, the sky became clear. And on looking at the tree, they beheld it
completely leafless. Then the birds descended upon the tree. And the
song of the birds was far sweeter than any strain they had ever heard
before. Then they beheld a Knight, on a coal-black horse, clothed in
black satin, coming rapidly towards them. And Kai met him and
encountered him, and it was not long before Kai was overthrown. And the
Knight withdrew. {36} And Arthur and his host encamped for the night.

And when they arose in the morning, they perceived the signal of combat
upon the lance of the Knight; and Kai came to Arthur, and spoke to him.
"My Lord," said he, "though I was overthrown yesterday, if it seem good
to thee, I would gladly meet the Knight again to-day." "Thou mayst do
so," said Arthur. And Kai went towards the Knight. And on the spot he
overthrew Kai, {37a} and struck him with the head of his lance in the
forehead, so that it broke his helmet and the headpiece, and pierced the
skin, and the flesh, the breadth of the spearhead, even to the bone. And
Kai returned to his companions.

After this, all the household of Arthur went forth, one after the other,
to combat the Knight, until there was not one that was not overthrown by
him, except Arthur and Gwalchmai. And Arthur armed himself to encounter
the Knight. "Oh, my lord," said Gwalchmai, "permit me to fight with him
first." And Arthur permitted him. And he went forth to meet the Knight,
having over himself and his horse, a satin robe of honour which had been
sent him by the daughter of the Earl of Rhangyw, and in this dress he was
not known by any of the host. And they charged each other, and fought
all that day until the evening. And neither of them was able to unhorse
the other.

The next day they fought with strong lances; and neither of them could
obtain the mastery.

And the third day they fought with exceeding strong lances. And they
were increased with rage, and fought furiously, even until noon. And
they gave each other such a shock, that the girths of their horses were
broken, so that they fell over their horses' cruppers to the ground. And
they rose up speedily, and drew their swords, and resumed the combat.
{37b} And the multitude that witnessed the encounter felt assured that
they had never before seen two men