embraced him and said, would to God you had been always with me! direct me as you please! So they met Garadan and his company, and the King welcomed them with better words than heart, and invited them to enter the town. Don Garadan answered, I come for two things which you must know first, and whereon no other counsel is needed than that of your own heart; answer us speedily for we must not tarry, seeing the truce will soon be expired. He then produced a letter of credence wherein the Emperor promised on his faith to confirm whatever Don Garadan should conclude with him. Methinks, quoth Tafinor, when he had read it, the Emperor places no little confidence in you! now say your bidding. King, then said Don Garadan, notwithstanding the Emperor is of higher lineage and lordship than you, yet because he hath other things to attend to, he wishes to put an end to this war, in either of these ways which you may chuse. Either that you shall do battle with Salustanquidio his cousin Prince of Calabria, hundred to hundred up to a thousand, or twelve to twelve, your Knights against me and these my companions: on condition that if you conquer you shall be for ever free from this demand, but if you are conquered you shall remain his vassal, as this kingdom was in times past to his
empire, according to our Roman histories. Now chuse which you will, for should you refuse either the Emperor bids you know, that leaving aside all other things, he will come against you in person, and never depart till he hath destroyed you. Don Garadan, cried he of the Green Sword, you have spoken arrogantly enough as well for yourself as for the Emperor, but God oftentimes with a little of his mercy hath broken down such pride; the King will answer you as it may please him. I would only ask if he should accept one of these battles, how shall he be secure that what you promise will be performed? Don Garadan looked at him, wondering that he should have answered without waiting for the King's reply, I know not who you are Sir Knight, quoth he, but by your speech it seems you are of a foreign land; this I shall say, I hold you for one of little discretion to reply without the King's command, but if he hold it good, and will accede to what I demand, I will tell you what you ask. The King replied, Don Garadan, I confirm and warrant whatever the Knight of the Green Sword shall say. When Garadan heard mentioned the man of such high prowess his heart leaped for two causes, the one sorrow, that such a Knight should be on the King's side, the other pleasure, for he hoped to combat him, and
had confidence that he should subdue or slay him, and so acquire all that glory which he had won throughout Germany, and other countries wherein no other Knight was spoken of. Since the King leaves it to you, said he, chuse the one. The Knight answered, let the King do that; all I shall say is, that in either I will serve him, if he permit me, and so will I do in war while I remain with him. The King put his arm round the Knight's neck saying, good friend, such courage your words give me that I fear not to accept either, I beseech you say which is best.—Certes Sir that may I not do; summon you the good men of your counsel and take their judgment, and command me wherein I may serve you, else might they with reason complain that I took upon myself more than I had wisdom to discharge; howbeit Sir at all events see what security Don Garadan will give. Garadan then bade a Squire bring him a casket, and he took from it a writing sealed with thirty seals all suspended by silken strings, and all were of silver except the middle one which was gold, for that was the Emperor's, and the others were of the great lords of the Empire; this he gave the King.
Then King Tafinor withdrew with his good men, and finding that he might depend upon the
conditions, asked counsel whether he should chuse: some said the hundred to hundred, others the combat of twelve, because for so small a number he could chuse tried Knights, others that it were better to continue the war and not put his kingdom upon adventure of a battle; so that the opinions were very different. Then said Count Galtines, Sir, let us refer it to this Knight of the Green Sword, who peradventure has seen many things, and hath great desire to serve you. Thereto all assented, and the King sent to call him, for he and Grasandor were talking with Don Garadan, and the Knight of the Green Sword seeing of what brave stature he was, and that needs there must be great strength in him, somewhat doubted the battle, yet the vain and arrogant words which he had spoken made him hope that God would enable him to confound his pride. He at the King's bidding went before him, and the King said, Knight of the Dwarf my great friend, I beseech you now do not refuse to give us your advice, and he told him at what difference they were. Sir, he replied, this is a weighty thing to determine, for the issue is in the hand of God, not in the judgment of men. Howbeit speaking as the adventure were my own, I will say Sir, that if I had but one castle and an hundred men, and an enemy with ten castles and a thousand Knights
warring to take it from me, if it pleased God to make him propose to me an equal battle I should think it a great mercy. But for all which I have said do not you Knights cease to counsel the King that which will be most for his service! with that he would have departed but the King took him by the cloak and made him sit by him, and said, good friend, we all agree in your opinion. I chuse the combat of twelve, and God who sees the violence done me will be my helper, even as he helped King Perion of Gaul when that mighty King Abies came against him, and was slain by a stripling Knight. In the name of God! exclaimed he of the Green Sword, and this is the best choice, but if you can prevail with Garadan let it be decided by single combat, let he and I do battle, for I trust in God, and in your good cause and his pride that I could decide the war.
With that they went to Don Garadan, who was impatient of their delay, and the King said to him, I chuse the combat of twelve Don Garadan, and let it be to-morrow. So help me God, quoth Garadan, as you have answered to my heart's desire, and I am right glad. He of the Green Sword answered, oftentimes men are glad at the beginning, but when the end comes it is otherwise. Garadan
beheld him with an evil look—Don Cavalier, you chuse to speak on every occasion! it is plain enough that you are a stranger, since your discretion is so scanty and strange; if I knew that you were to be one of the twelve I would give you these gloves! He of the Green Sword took them,—I shall be there, and as I now take your gloves, so will I then take that head which your pride and discourtesy have offered me. When Garadan heard this he was besides himself with rage.—Ah, wretch that I am, quoth he, if this were to-morrow, and we were in the battle, Don Cavalier of the Dwarf, all these should see how I would chastise your folly! If till to-morrow seem so long a time, replied he of the Green Sword, the day is yet long enough for one to slay the other; let us arm if you will and begin the battle, on this covenant, that he who survives may aid his comrades to-morrow. Certes, Don Cavalier, replied Garadan, if you dare do as you have now said, I forgive you all you have said against me, and he called hastily for his arms, and the Knight of the Dwarf demanded his from Gandalin.
His companions armed Don Garadan, the King and his son did the same to their champion; all then withdrew, and left the twain in the field
where they were to combat. Garadan mounted upon a goodly steed, whom he made prance fiercely over the field, then turning to his friends he said, trust ye that ye shall see this King made subject to our Emperor, and ye without striking a blow, remain with much honour; all the hope of our enemies is in this Knight, whom, if he dares abide the encounter, I shall presently conquer, and when he is slain they will not dare enter the lists with us to-morrow. What are you doing Garadan? cried he of the Green Sword, you waste the day in boasting, and boasting will not do now we are about to be proved. They then spurred against each other, their shields, strong as they were, failed, their lances, thick as they were, splintered, and they dashed helmet and shield against each other. The horse of the Green Sword staggered back and reeled, but did not fall; Garadan was driven from the saddle, and so rudely that he was well nigh stunned. He of the Green Sword, when he saw him trying to rise and stumbling, would have made at him but his horse could not move, the encounter had so shaken him, and he himself had been wounded in the left arm, but he alighted in great wrath and went against Garadan with his burning Sword. Now had Garadan recovered, and stood sword in hand covered with his shield