Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/319

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They tooke then to their shields full fast,
Their swords they drew out than;
With mighty strokes most eagerlye,
Each at the other ran.

They wounded were and bled full sore,
They both for breath did stand;
And leaning on their swords awhile,
Quoth Tarquin: 'Hold thy hand;
 
'And tell to me what I shall aske;'
'Say on,' quoth Lancelot tho'.
'Thou art,' quoth Tarquin, 'the best knight
That ever I did know.
 
'And like a knight that I did hate,
Soe that thou be not hee,
I will deliver all the rest,
And eke accord with thee.'

'That is well said,' quoth Lancelot;
But sith it must be soe,
What knight is that thou hatest thus;
I pray thee to me shew.'
 
'His name is Lancelot du Lake;
He slew my brother deere;
Him I despise of all the rest,
I would I had him here.'
 
'Thy wish thou hast, but yet unknowne,
I am Lancelot du Lake,
Now knight of Arthur's Table Round;
King Haudes' son of Schuwake;
 
'And I desire thee do thy worst;'
'Ho! Ho!' quoth Tarquin tho',
'One of us two shall end our lives,
Before that we doe goe.
 
'If thou be Lancelot du Lake,
Then welcome shalt thou bee;
Wherfor see thou thyselfe defend,
For now defye I thee.'