ercival and Sir Lamorack
knew not what was to happen next. Then, after a while, a door of the
castle was suddenly opened upon the courtyard and a score or more of
full-armed men rushed very violently into the space where Sir Lamorack
and Sir Percival were. At that same time another door was opened upon
the other side of the courtyard and thereupon there rushed in Sir Godwin
and other armed men. All of these ran forward and flung themselves upon
Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival with intent to overthrow them by dint of
numbers.

But when Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack were aware of their coming, they
straightway set themselves back to back and each whirled his bright
shining sword about his head so that it flashed like lightning. Then
there befell a great battle in that narrow courtyard, many against two.
Yet ever those two bare themselves very valiantly so that in a little
space of time there were six or ten men lying groaning upon the ground,
and the pavement of the courtyard was become all slippery with blood.
Yea; so great was the terror that those two spread about them that in a
little while they who assaulted them drew away from the death that was
measured out to those who were nearest to the two.

[Sidenote: _Sir Lamorack slayeth Sir Godwin._]

So, for a while, there came a pause in that battle, and in that pause
Sir Lamorack perceived where Sir Godwin stood in the midst of the castle
folk, urging them to the attack. Thereat of a sudden the madness of
battle fell upon Sir Lamorack, so that he waited not for another
assault, but, shouting aloud, he ran at his enemy, whirling his sword
about his head. At that fierce attack the castle folk scattered from
before him like to chaff before the wind, and so Sir Lamorack and Sir
Godwin stood face to face with no one to stay Sir Lamorack in his
assault. Then Sir Lamorack whirled his sword and smote such a buffet
that though Sir Godwin took that buffet upon his shield, yet his wits
melted away from him because of the blow he had received. Then his
defences fell low before him, his head hung upon his breast, he
staggered, and his thighs trembled with weakness. Then he cried out,
"Mercy! Mercy!" saying those words twice over. But Sir Lamorack would
not hear him, but lifting up his sword he smote Sir Godwin again, and
with that second stroke Sir Godwin fell down upon his knees to the
ground. Then Sir Lamorack rushed off the helmet of Sir Godwin and he
catched Sir Godwin's head by