nd they came together with all the might of
their horses, that either knight smote other so hard in midst of their
shields, but Sir Gawaine's spear brake, but Sir Marhaus' spear held;
and therewith Sir Gawaine and his horse rushed down to the earth. And
lightly Sir Gawaine rose on his feet, and pulled out his sword, and
dressed him toward Sir Marhaus on foot, and Sir Marhaus saw that, and
pulled out his sword and began to come to Sir Gawaine on horseback. Sir
knight, said Sir Gawaine, alight on foot, or else I will slay thy horse.
Gramercy, said Sir Marhaus, of your gentleness ye teach me courtesy, for
it is not for one knight to be on foot, and the other on horseback. And
therewith Sir Marhaus set his spear against a tree and alighted and tied
his horse to a tree, and dressed his shield, and either came unto other
eagerly, and smote together with their swords that their shields flew
in cantels, and they bruised their helms and their hauberks, and wounded
either other. But Sir Gawaine from it passed nine of the clock waxed
ever stronger and stronger, for then it came to the hour of noon, and
thrice his might was increased. All this espied Sir Marhaus and had
great wonder how his might increased, and so they wounded other passing
sore. And then when it was past noon, and when it drew toward evensong,
Sir Gawaine's strength feebled, and waxed passing faint that unnethes he
might dure any longer, and Sir Marhaus was then bigger and bigger. Sir
knight, said Sir Marhaus, I have well felt that ye are a passing good
knight and a marvellous man of might as ever I felt any, while it
lasteth, and our quarrels are not great, and therefore it were pity to
do you hurt, for I feel ye are passing feeble. Ah, said Sir Gawaine,
gentle knight, ye say the word that I should say. And therewith they
took off their helms, and either kissed other, and there they swore
together either to love other as brethren. And Sir Marhaus prayed Sir
Gawaine to lodge with him that night. And so they took their horses, and
rode toward Sir Marhaus' house. And as they rode by the way, Sir knight,
said Sir Gawaine, I have marvel that so valiant a man as ye be love
no ladies nor damosels. Sir, said Sir Marhaus, they name me wrongfully
those that give me that name, but well I wot it be the damosels of the
turret that so name me, and other such as they be. Now shall I tell you
for what cause I hate them: for they be sorceresses and enchanters many
of them, and be a