“Nay, I seek not [to have you at disadvantage],” replied Pellinore, and bade his squire give Arthur a spear. Then they [dressed their shields], laid their lances in rest, and rushed upon each other. Now the King was wearied by his night’s vigil, and the strength of Pellinore was as the strength of three men; so, at the first encounter, Arthur was unhorsed. Then said he:
“I have lost the honor on horseback, but now will I encounter thee with my sword and on foot.”
“I, too, will alight,” said Pellinore; “small honor to me were it if I slew thee on foot, I being horsed the while.” So they encountered each other on foot, and so fiercely they fought that they hewed off great pieces of each other’s armor, and the ground was dyed with their blood. But at the last, Arthur’s sword broke off short at the hilt, and so he stood all defenseless before his foe.
“I have thee now,” cried Pellinore; “[yield thee as recreant] or I will slay thee.”
“That will I never,” said the King; “slay me if thou canst.”
Then he sprang on Pellinore, caught him by the middle, and flung him to the ground, himself falling with him. And Sir Pellinore marveled, for never before had he encountered so bold and resolute a foe; but exerting his great strength, he rolled himself over, and so brought Arthur beneath him. Then Arthur would have perished, but at that moment Merlin stood beside him, and when Sir Pellinore would have struck off the King’s head, stayed his blow, crying:
“Pellinore, if thou slayest this knight, thou puttest the whole realm in peril; for this is none other than King Arthur himself.”
Then was Pellinore filled with dread, and cried:
“Better make an end of him at once; for if I suffer him to live, what hope have I of his grace, that have dealt with him so sorely?”