"Then let me meet him first. I am the weaker, and if he strikes me down
you can revenge me."

With these words Uwaine took his place and rode against the Irish
knight, but with such ill fortune that he was hurled to the earth with a
wounded side. When Gawaine saw this he prepared for the joust, and the
two knights rode together with great force. But, as luck would have it,
Gawaine's spear broke, while that of Marhaus held firm. In consequence,
both Gawaine and his horse went to the ground.

In an instant the knight was on his feet, sword in hand, and advancing
towards his adversary. Marhaus drew his sword and moved upon him
mounted.

"Meet me on foot," cried Gawaine, "or I will kill your horse."

"Gramercy, you teach me courtesy," said Marhaus, "It is not fair for one
knight to be on foot and the other on horse."

Then he sprang to the ground, set his spear against a tree, and tied his
horse. This done, he drew his sword and advanced upon Gawaine.

The combat that succeeded was long and hotly contested, beginning at
nine in the morning and lasting till the day was well advanced. Never
had that forest known so obstinate and fierce a fight. And from nine of
the clock till the hour of noon Gawaine grew stronger and stronger, till
his might was thrice increased and Marhaus had much ado to stand before
him. But as the day waned from noon onwards Gawaine grew feeble, while
the strength of Marhaus steadily increased, his form seeming to grow
larger with every hour. At length it came that Gawaine could scarcely
stand before him.

"Sir knight," said Marhaus, "this I will say, that I never met a better
man than yourself, and we have had a noble passage at arms. But as we
have no quarrel, and I can see you are growing feeble, it were a pity to
do you more harm. If you are willing, I agree to end the fight."

"That should I have said, gentle knight," answered Gawaine. "I am much
beholden to your courtesy."

Thereupon they took off their helmets and kissed each other, and swore
to love one another thenceforth as brethren in arms. Marhaus prayed that
the two knights would lodge with him that night, and they rode together
towards his dwelling.

"I marvel," said Gawaine, as they rode forward, "that so good a knight
as you should love no ladies."

"I love not such as those minxes of the tower, nor any of their sort,"
said Marhaus. "They are a false-hearted and vile-thinking crew. But to
all honorable women I owe the best of