blew with such strength
of fury that he was afraid it would blow him away from that place. Then
there fell such a deluge of rain that he feared he would be drowned
therewith. And whilst the rain fell in that wise he heard a multitude of
voices in lamentation as though a great way off, just as Sir Sagramore
had heard these voices.

Anon the rain ceased and the clouds passed away, and the sun came forth
and shone with wonderful warmth and brightness, and thereupon a great
flock of small birds came flying to that tree and perched in the
branches thereof so that the tree was entirely filled with the multitude
of feathered creatures gathered there. And that multitude of birds began
to sing in such a wise, that when Sir Ewaine listened to that singing he
wist not whether he were in paradise or upon earth, so sweet and
piercing was the melody of their singing. And all these things befell
with Sir Ewaine as they had befallen aforetime with Sir Sagramore.

Now, whilst Sir Ewaine stood listening in that wise, all bewitched by
the singing of those birds, he was aware of one who came riding very
rapidly toward him across the plain. And as that rider drew nigh unto
Sir Ewaine, he beheld that he was a knight clad all in black armor and
seated upon a great charger which was entirely black and which was hung
with trappings as black as any raven. And the knight bore a shield which
was altogether black and without any device whatsoever. And he was of a
very terrible appearance, being huge of form and violent and fierce in
his advance.

This black knight, when he had come close to that place where Sir Ewaine
awaited him, cried out in a great voice: "Sir Knight, why didst thou
come hither to meddle with my fountain? Know thou that thou hast brought
a great deluge upon all this land so that thou hast wrought great damage
to us who are the people thereof. But now thou shalt pay very dearly for
the injury thou hast done. Prepare thyself straightway for battle!"

Unto this Sir Ewaine made reply: "Sir Knight, I wist not that in
throwing water upon yonder slab I was doing injury to thee or to any
one. Nevertheless, I am ready to meet thee in battle as thou dost make
demand." Therewith Sir Ewaine dressed his shield and his spear and took
his station in the meadow near the fountain and beside the lake, and put
himself in such array for defence as he was able.

[Sidenote: _Sir Ewaine doeth battle with the Knight of the Fountain._]

So when t