for his quarrel; then was he full sorry and heavy, and thought if Colgrevance slay him that was his brother he should never have joy; and if his brother slew Colgrevance the shame should ever be mine.  Then would he have risen to have departed them, but he had not so much might to stand on foot; so he abode him so long till Colgrevance had the worse, for Lionel was of great chivalry and right hardy, for he had pierced the hauberk and the helm, that he abode but death, for he had lost much of his blood that it was marvel that he might stand upright.  Then beheld he Sir Bors which sat dressing him upward and said:  Ah, Bors, why come ye not to cast me out of peril of death, wherein I have put me to succour you which were right now nigh the death?  Certes, said Lionel, that shall not avail you, for none of you shall bear others warrant, but that ye shall die both of my hand.  When Bors heard that, he did so much, he rose and put on his helm.  Then perceived he first the hermit priest which was slain, then made he a marvellous sorrow upon him.

CHAPTER XVI

How sir Lionel slew sir Colgrevance, and how after he would have slain sir Bors

Then often Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors:  Why will ye let me die here for your sake? if it please you that I die for you the death, it will please me the better for to save a worthy man.  With that word Sir Lionel smote off the helm from his head.  Then Colgrevance saw that he might not escape; then he said:  Fair sweet Jesu, that I have misdone have mercy upon my soul, for such sorrow that my heart suffereth for goodness, and for alms deed that I would have done here, be to me alygement of penance unto my soul’s health.  At these words Lionel smote him so sore that he bare him to the earth.  So he had slain Colgrevance he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man, and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop.  And he that was full of humility prayed him for God’s love to leave this battle:  For an it befel, fair brother, that I slew you or ye me, we should be dead of that sin.  Never God me help but if I have on you mercy, and I may have the better hand.  Then drew Bors his sword, all weeping, and said:  Fair brother, God knoweth mine intent.  Ah, fair brother, ye have done full evil this day to slay such an holy priest the which never trespassed.  Also ye have slain a gentle knight, and one of our fellows.  And well wot ye that I am not afeared of you greatly, but I dread the wrath of God, and this is an unkindly war, therefore God show miracle upon us both.  Now God have mercy upon me though I defend my life against my brother; with that Bors lift up his hand and would have smitten his brother.

CHAPTER XVII

How there came A voice which charged sir Bors to touch him not, and of A cloud that came between them