“What! wouldst thou fight with me?”
“E'en unto death, before I suffer shame.”
“Vain fool, beware; when on my neck I've put my shield, thoult find but little grace.”
“Mine ear,” quoth Jaufry, “hath been oft assailed by higher threats than these. I do reply, that, by the faith of Him who built this world, you shall set free yon knight, and to the court of good King Arthur go, to pay the felony you there have done; or you shall fight with me, till you or I be vanquished and slain.”
“Know'st thou then not, I've fought and conquered full five hundred knights, all better men than thou?”
“It may be so,” quoth Jaufry; “now for proof: go get your arms, and God's high will be done!”
“No other armour,” proudly Taulat said, “do I require than my good lance and shield: seven of thy strength might then come on, and I'd defy you all.”
“'Tis madness,” did Sir Jaufry make reply, “to enter fight unarmed. But since your pride doth blind your senses so, e'en have it as you will.”
Furious at the words, Taulat addressed a squire: “Go to the castle, quickly as thou canst; bring me my lance and shield, and tell the knights I've conquered one by one to meet me here, that they may witness a base peasant's death, as with a single blow I do intend, through shield and hauberk, to find out his heart. And at the instant should this not be done, may I lose arms and chivalry and lady's love!”
The squire ran quickly to the scattered camp, where lodged the captive knights,—who all were grieving for the wounded man, bound to the stake and waiting for the scourge,—to them he briefly said: