27. So lightly leaped with furious force,
The gentle knight to seize,
But met his tall uplifted spear,
Which sank him on his knees.
28. A second stroke, so stiff and stern,
Had laid the savage low;
But, springing up, he raised his club,
And aimed a dreadful blow.
29. The watchful warrior bent his head,
And shunned the coming stroke;
Upon his taper spear it fell,
And all to shivers broke.
30. Then, lighting nimbly from his steed,
He drew his burnished brand;
The savage quick as lightning flew
To wrest it from his hand.
31. Three times he grasped the silver hilt,
Three times he felt the blade;
Three times it fell with furious force,
Three ghastly cuts it made.
"To court his hairy captive soon
Sir Valentine doth bring,
And, kneeling down upon his knee,
Presents him to the king."
32. Now with redoubled rage he roared,
His eyeballs flashed with fire,
Each hairy limb with fury shook,
And all his heart was ire.