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Chapter V
”
Hearinghimcry,SirBalinfiercelyturnedhishorse,andsaid,“Fairknight,whatwiltthouwithme?wiltthoujoust?”
“Yea,”saidSirLancear,“itisforthatIhavepursuedthee.”
“Peradventure,”answeredBalin,“thouhadstbesthavestaidathome,formanyamanwhothinkethhimselfalreadyvictor,endethbyhisowndownfall.Ofwhatcourtartthou?”
“OfKingArthur’scourt,”criedLancear,“andIamcometorevengetheinsultthouhastputonitthisday.”
“Well,”saidSirBalin,“IseethatImustfightthee,andIrepenttobeobligedtogrieveKingArthurorhisknights;andthyquarrelseemethfullfoolishtome,forthedamselthatisdeadworkedendlessevilsthroughtheland,orelseIhadbeenloathasanyknightthatlivethtohaveslainalady.”
“Maketheeready,”shoutedLancear,“foroneofusshallrestforeverinthisfield.”
ButattheirfirstencounterSirLancear’sspearflewintosplintersfromSirBalin’sshield,andSirBalin’slancepiercedwithsuchmightthroughSirLancear’sshieldthatitrovethehauberkalso,andpassedthroughtheknight’sbodyandthehorse’scrupper.AndSirBalinturningfiercelyroundagain,drewouthissword,andknewnotthathehadalreadyslainhim;andthenhesawhimlieacorpseupontheground.
Atthatsamemomentcameadamselridingtowardshimasfastasherhorsecouldgallop,who,whenshesawSirLanceardead,weptandsorrowedoutofmeasure,crying,“O,SirBalin,twobodieshastthouslain,andoneheart;andtwoheartsinonebody;andtwosoulsalsohastthoulost.
