Again their coursers' feet
seemed to spurn the earth. At this onset the French knight bent back in
his saddle, whether from subtlety or accident was not known, but there
was a loud clamour; and the Frenchman, recovering himself, spurred on
his steed with great vigour, perhaps hoping to take his adversary at
unawares; but the latter, darting aside with agility, the other's lance
ran full against the boards, and in deep vexation he came back to the
charge.
Trembling with choler, he hardly restrained himself until the prescribed
signal; then, as if he would make an end of his opponent, he aimed his
weapon with a direct thrust towards the heart; but Stanley, confident in
his own might, was fully prepared for the blow, as the event
sufficiently proved; for the French knight was seen to reel from his
saddle, the point of his enemy's lance being driven completely through
his armour. He rolled backwards on the ground, and so vigorous had been
the attack, that his horse's back was broken, and they lay together,
groaning piteously, besmeared with blood and dust, to the sore dismay of
his companions. Stanley suddenly alighted, and helped the pages to undo
his armour; but ere his beaver could be unclasped he had fainted by loss
of blood, and being borne off the field, he shortly afterwards expired.
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