namës read were every one, That in their number guilë were there none, Then were the gatës shut, and cried was loud; “Do now your dévoir, youngë knights proud!”
The heralds left their pricking up and down. Now ring the trumpet loud and clarioun. There is no more to say, but east and west In go the spearës sadly in the rest; In go the sharpë spurs into the side. There see me who can joust, and who can ride. There shiver shaftës upon shieldës thick; He feeleth through the heartë-spoon the prick. Up spring the spearës twenty foot on height; Out go the swordës as the silver bright. The helmës they to-hewen, and to-shred; Out burst the blood, with sternë streamës red. With mighty maces the bones they to-brest. He through the thickest of the throng gan threst. There stumble steedës strong, and down go all. He rolleth under foot as doth a ball. He foineth on his foe with a trunchoun, And he him hurtleth with his horse adown. He through the body hurt is, and sith take, Maugré his head, and brought unto the stake, As forword was, right there he must abide. Another led is on that other side. And sometime doth them Theseus to rest, Them to refresh, and drinken if them lest.