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242 He cut and thrust all round about, At neither sight nor sound, Until a dastard knight they saw Lie dead upon the ground. " The pledge is broken ! " cried the king. " Not so," the knight replied ; "It was my meaner self I slew, — I live, though it has died." Again the paladin rode forth, And this time seemed to seek Some traitor that eluded him — The little king must speak : "Where is the foe, Sir knight, on whom You would your vengeance wreak ? " "It was a falsehood," said the knight, "They uttered of my friend ; I tracked it down, and hunted it, And thus its life doth end ! " Once more the paladin rode forth — Beneath his horse's feet There seemed to be an enemy