But now we see thee so distressed that thou dealest back-
hand blows and fightest thy adversary, behind thy back. Turn, so
as to be on the other side, and so that thou canst face toward
this tower, for it will help thee to keep it in view." Then
Lancelot is so ashamed and mortified that he hates himself, for
he knows full well that all have seen how, for some time past, he
has had the worst of the fight. Thereupon he leaps backward and
so manoeuvres as to force Meleagant into a position between him
and the tower. Meleagant makes every effort to regain his former
position. But Lancelot rushes upon him, and strikes him so
violently upon his body and shield whenever he tries to get
around him, that he compels him to whirl about two or three times
in spite of himself. Lancelot's strength and courage grow,
partly because he has love's aid, and partly because he never
hated any one so much as him with whom he is engaged. Love and
mortal hate, so fierce that never before was such hate seen, make
him so fiery and bold that Meleagant ceases to treat it as a jest
and begins to stand in awe of him, for he had never met or known
so doughty a knight, nor had any knight ever wounded or injured
him as this one does. He is glad to get away from him, and he
winces and sidesteps, fearing his blows and avoiding them.
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