em. And when the Earl and his
company saw the knight of the Sparrow-Hawk gaining the mastery, there was
shouting, and joy, and mirth amongst them. And the hoary-headed man, and
his wife, and his daughter, were sorrowful. And the hoary-headed man
served Geraint lances as often as he broke them, and the dwarf served the
knight of the Sparrow-Hawk. Then the hoary-headed man came to Geraint.
"Oh! chieftain," said he, "since no other will hold with thee, behold,
here is the lance which was in my hand on the day when I received the
honour of knighthood; and from that time to this I never broke it. And
it has an excellent point." Then Geraint took the lance, thanking the
hoary-headed man. And thereupon the dwarf also brought a lance to his
lord. "Behold here is a lance for thee, not less good than his," said
the dwarf. "And bethink thee, that no knight ever withstood thee before
so long as this one has done." "I declare to Heaven," said Geraint,
"that unless death takes me quickly hence, he shall fare never the better
for thy service." And Geraint pricked his horse towards him from afar,
and warning him, he rushed upon him, and gave him a blow so severe, and
furious, and fierce, upon the face of his shield, that he cleft it in
two, and broke his armour, and burst his girths, so that both he and his
saddle were borne to the ground over the horse's crupper. And Geraint
dismounted quickly. And he was wroth, and he drew his sword, and rushed
fiercely upon him. Then the knight also arose, and drew his sword
against Geraint. And they fought on foot with their swords until their
aims struck sparks of fire like stars from one another; and thus they
continued fighting until the blood and sweat obscured the light from
their eyes. And when Geraint prevailed, the hoary-headed man, and his
wife, and his daughter were glad; and when the knight prevailed, it
rejoiced the Earl and his party. Then the hoary-headed man saw Geraint
receive a severe stroke, and he went up to him quickly, and said to him,
"Oh, chieftain, remember the treatment which thou hadst from the dwarf;
and wilt thou not seek vengeance for the insult to thyself, and for the
insult to Gwenhwyvar the wife of Arthur!" And Geraint was roused by what
he said to him, {19} and he called to him all his strength, and lifted up
his sword, and struck the knight upon the crown of his head, so that he
broke all his head armour, and cut through all the flesh and the skin,