Then they rushed vehemently together, so that they both broke their spears upon each other: the kings and princes marvelled thereat, yea, their lances crashed like thunder. And Zibrid saith upon the field: “Stilfrid, how doth it please thee? Perchance it is not to thy liking; thou must learn to know the Knight of the Roses better; this is nothing, I will mark thee better.” Said Stilfrid: “Zibrid! when I shall go down upon my knees, then, and not till then, shalt thou make thy boast over me. That stroke hath harmed me not, mine honour is still with me. But regard thou the emblems on thy shield: me seemeth that four of the roses are no more.”
Again they brought lances to them both, and again they met together and gave each other mighty strokes, so that again they both broke their spears; both sat on their horses, but Zibrid’s shield and helmet flew from him, and though Zibrid kept his seat on his horse, Stilfrid gave him a deep wound. Saith Stilfrid: “Wilt thou still vaunt thyself? Yet thou sittest sadly on thy horse, the roses are scattered from thy shield. Ah! if the daughter of the King of England knew,
