Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/319



They tooke then to their shields full fast,
 * Their swords they drew out than;

With mighty strokes most eagerlye,
 * Each at the other ran.

They wounded were and bled full sore,
 * They both for breath did stand;

And leaning on their swords awhile,
 * Quoth Tarquin: 'Hold thy hand;

'And tell to me what I shall aske;'
 * 'Say on,' quoth Lancelot tho'.

'Thou art,' quoth Tarquin, 'the best knight
 * That ever I did know.

'And like a knight that I did hate,
 * Soe that thou be not hee,

I will deliver all the rest,
 * And eke accord with thee.'

'That is well said,' quoth Lancelot;
 * But sith it must be soe,

What knight is that thou hatest thus;
 * I pray thee to me shew.'

'His name is Lancelot du Lake;
 * He slew my brother deere;

Him I despise of all the rest,
 * I would I had him here.'

'Thy wish thou hast, but yet unknowne,
 * I am Lancelot du Lake,

Now knight of Arthur's Table Round;
 * King Haudes' son of Schuwake;

'And I desire thee do thy worst;'
 * 'Ho! Ho!' quoth Tarquin tho',

'One of us two shall end our lives,
 * Before that we doe goe.

'If thou be Lancelot du Lake,
 * Then welcome shalt thou bee;

Wherfor see thou thyselfe defend,
 * For now defye I thee.'