The company
hurtled on, till they drew to the golden eagle which was the gonfalon
of the emperor. Lucius, himself, was very near his pennon, and with
him the flower of his meinie, the gentle men and gallant knights of
Rome. Then angels and men witnessed so mortal an encounter, as never
I deem was beheld of any, since time began. Chinmark, Earl of Tigel,
rode in Hoel's cohort. He was a great baron, and wrought much mischief
to his adversaries. His day was come, for a Roman, mean of his
station, and fighting on his feet, flung a javelin at his body, so
that he died. With the earl perished two thousand of the Britons,
every man hardier than his fellows. There, too, were slain three other
earls. Jagus, to his loss, had come from Boloan. The second was hight
Cecormanus, the third, Earl Boclonius. Few indeed of Arthur's barons
might compare with these lords in valour and worth. Had they been sons
of kings, who were but earls, the story of their gestes would be sung
by the minstrels, as I deem, about the world, so marvellous were their
feats. These three fair lords raged wondrously amongst the Romans.
Not one who came to their hands but gasped out his life, whether by
lance-thrust or sword. They forced a path to the eagle of the emperor,
but the bearers arrayed themselves against them, and cutting them off
from their companions, slew them amidst their foes.
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