the lord, it may happen he shall
repent that they took their lodging here.

So Sir Marhaus was let in with torchlight, and there was a goodly sight
of young men that welcomed him. And then his horse was led into the
stable, and he and the damosel were brought into the hall, and there
stood a mighty duke and many goodly men about him. Then this lord asked
him what he hight, and from whence he came, and with whom he dwelt. Sir,
he said, I am a knight of King Arthur's and knight of the Table Round,
and my name is Sir Marhaus, and born I am in Ireland. And then said the
duke to him, That me sore repenteth: the cause is this, for I love not
thy lord nor none of thy fellows of the Table Round; and therefore ease
thyself this night as well as thou mayest, for as to-morn I and my six
sons shall match with you. Is there no remedy but that I must have ado
with you and your six sons at once? said Sir Marhaus. No, said the duke,
for this cause I made mine avow, for Sir Gawaine slew my seven sons in a
recounter, therefore I made mine avow, there should never knight of King
Arthur's court lodge with me, or come thereas I might have ado with him,
but that I would have a revenging of my sons' death. What is your name?
said Sir Marhaus; I require you tell me, an it please you. Wit thou well
I am the Duke of South Marches. Ah, said Sir Marhaus, I have heard say
that ye have been long time a great foe unto my lord Arthur and to his
knights. That shall ye feel to-morn, said the duke. Shall I have ado
with you? said Sir Marhaus. Yea, said the duke, thereof shalt thou not
choose, and therefore take you to your chamber, and ye shall have all
that to you longeth. So Sir Marhaus departed and was led to a chamber,
and his damosel was led unto her chamber. And on the morn the duke sent
unto Sir Marhaus and bade make him ready. And so Sir Marhaus arose and
armed him, and then there was a mass sung afore him, and brake his fast,
and so mounted on horseback in the court of the castle where they should
do the battle. So there was the duke all ready on horseback, clean
armed, and his six sons by him, and everych had a spear in his hand,
and so they encountered, whereas the duke and his two sons brake their
spears upon him, but Sir Marhaus held up his spear and touched none of
them.

CHAPTER XXV. How Sir Marhaus fought with the duke and his four sons and
made them to yield them.

THEN came the four sons by couple, and two of them brake their spe