XXIV.
The stranger knight, upon the other side,
As little of his valiant foeman knew;
Nor in that lord Mount Alban’s chief descried,
In warfare so renowned all countries through.
And upon whom, with such small cause defied,
His faulchion he in deadly combat drew.
He was assured he could not have in fight
Experience of a more redoubted wight.
XXV.
He gladly would be quit of the emprize
He undertook to venge his courser’s fall;
And, could he, without blame, a mean devise,
Would fain withdraw from that disastrous brawl.
So overcast already were the skies,
Their cruel strokes well nigh fell harmless all.
Both blindly strike; more blindly yet those lords
Parry the stroke, who scarce discern their swords.
XXVI.
He of Mount Alban is the first to say,
‘They should not combat darkling, on the plain;
‘But should their duel till such time delay
‘As slow Arcturus should have turned his wain.’
(And adds,) ‘as safely as himself might stay
‘The foe in his pavilion, of his train
‘As duly tended, honoured, and well seen,
‘As he in any place had ever been.’
