CHAPTER XXVII

How Sir Uwaine fought with two knights and
overcame them.

SO was there sikerness made on both parties that no treason
should be wrought on neither party; so then the knights departed
and made them ready, and that night Sir Uwaine had great cheer. 
And on the morn he arose early and heard mass, and brake his
fast, and so he rode unto the plain without the gates, where
hoved the two brethren abiding him.  So they rode together
passing sore, that Sir Edward and Sir Hue brake their spears upon
Sir Uwaine.  And Sir Uwaine smote Sir Edward that he fell over
his horse and yet his spear brast not.  And then he spurred his
horse and came upon Sir Hue and overthrew him, but they soon
recovered and dressed their shields and drew their swords and
bade Sir Uwaine alight and do his battle to the uttermost.  Then
Sir Uwaine devoided his horse suddenly, and put his shield afore
him and drew his sword, and so they dressed together, and either
gave other such strokes, and there these two brethren wounded Sir
Uwaine passing grievously that the Lady of the Rock weened he
should have died.  And thus they fought together five hours as
men raged out of reason.  And at the last Sir Uwaine smote Sir
Edward upon the helm such a stroke that his sword carved unto his
canel bone, and then Sir Hue abated his courage, but Sir Uwaine
pressed fast to have slain him.  That saw Sir Hue: he kneeled
down and yielded him to Sir Uwaine.  And he of his gentleness
received his sword, and took him by the hand, and went into the
castle together.  Then the Lady of the Rock was passing glad, and
the other brother made great sorrow for his brother's death. 
Then the lady was restored of all her lands, and Sir Hue was
commanded to be at the court of King Arthur at the next feast of
Pentecost.  So Sir Uwaine dwelt with the lady nigh half a year,
for it was <147>long or he might be whole of his great hurts. 
And so when it drew nigh the term-day that Sir Gawaine, Sir
Marhaus, and Sir Uwaine should meet at the cross-way, then every
knight drew him thither to hold his promise that they had made;
and Sir Marhaus and Sir Uwaine brought their damosels with them,
but Sir Gawaine had lost his damosel, as it is afore rehearsed.