And hardement is thing ſhall moſt awaill

Frome deth ther men of armys in bataill,

Lat now your manhed and your hie curage

[804] The pryd of al thir multitude aſſuage;

Deth or defence, non other thing we wot.”

Maleginis and all his host come over the plain, and Gawane sends a company against them.

This freſch king, that maleginis was hot,

With al his oſt he cummyne our the plañ,

[808] And gawan ſend o batell hyme agañ;

[18] Or “berde.”