Whanne the batels to geder were mett,
Line 2202
Euerychone on other ferly they sette
With grete corage, and trewly for to speke
It was a world to here the sperys breke.
Line 2205
The kyng of kynggez rode on euery side,
Line 2206
ffull clene armyd formest of euerychone,
There were butt fewe his strokes wold abide, [folio 12a]
So many he on horsid one be one;
Line 2209
A comly prince he was to loke vppon,
And therwith [all] right good and honorable,
And in the feld a knyght right confortable.
Line 2212
Ser abell was of perse the Banere,
Line 2213
Avaunsid hym and to a kyng ganne ride,
And thorough owt the body he hym bare,
That on his hors he myght not longe abide,
Line 2216
Butt to the grownde he felle and ther he dyed;
And thanne ser Abell, in a hasty brayde,
Vnto the kyng of kyngges thanne he seide:
Line 2219
'Good ser,' quod he, 'how likith yow this game?'
With tho wordes the kyng liked full ill,
he thought full wele to quyte hym with ye same,
And ranne to hym with a full eger will,
Line 2223
That from ser Abell downe the baner fell,
And suche a stroke he hadde, to say yow trew,
That from his hors almost he ther ouer threw.
Line 2226
The kyng his fader sawe the baner down,
Line 2227
he hastyd hym as fast as euer he myght,
And with an hundered knyghtes of renown
The baner sone they reisid it vppe right;
Line 2230
Thanne was the batell sore, I yow be hight,
And many slayn; but or the day was past
The men of perse with drew them atte last.
Line 2233
