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Chapter V
SoSirBalanroseupfirsttohisfeetanddrewhissword,andSirBalinpainfullyroseagainsthimandraisedhisshield.
ThenSirBalansmotehimthroughtheshieldandbrakehishelmet;andSirBalin,inreturn,smoteathimwithhisfatedsword,andhadwellnighslainhisbrother.Sotheyfoughttilltheirbreathsfailed.
ThenSirBalin,lookingup,sawallthecastletowersstandfullofladies.Sotheywentagaintobattle,andwoundedeachotherfullsore,andpaused,andbreathedagain,andthenagainbeganthefight;andthisformanytimestheydid,tillallthegroundwasredwithblood.Andbynow,eachhadfullgrievouslywoundedtheotherwithsevengreatwounds,theleastofwhichmighthavedestroyedthemightiestgiantintheworld.Butstilltheyroseagainsteachother,althoughtheirhauberksnowwereallunnailed,andtheysmitingateachother’snakedbodieswiththeirsharpswords.Atthelast,SirBalan,theyoungerbrother,withdrewalittlespaceandlaidhimdown.
ThensaidSirBalinleSavage,“Whatknightartthou?forneverbeforehaveIfoundaknighttomatchmethus.”
“Myname,”saidhe,allfaintly,“isBalan,brothertothegoodknightSirBalin.”
“Ah,God!”criedBalin,“thateverIshouldseethisday!”andtherewithfelldownbackwardsinaswoon.
ThenSirBalancreptwithpainuponhisfeetandhands,andputhisbrother’shelmetoffhishead,butcouldnotknowhimbyhisface,itwassohewedandbloody.
