It was a
desperate and terrible engagement. I at first thought that the
royal stranger and great champion of the faith would overcome
his opponent with ease, for I considered Heaven as on his side,
and nothing but the arm of sinful flesh against him. But I was
deceived. The sinner stood firm as a rock, while the assailant
flitted about like a shadow, or rather like a spirit. I smiled
inwardly, conceiving that these lightsome manoeuvres were all a
sham to show off his art and mastership in the exercise, and that,
whenever they came to close fairly, that instant my brother would
be overcome. Still I was deceived. My brother's arm seemed
invincible, so that the closer they fought the more palpably did it
prevail. They fought round the green to the very edge of the
water, and so round till they came close up to the covert where I
stood. There being no more room to shift ground, my brother then
forced him to come to close quarters, on which, the former still
having the decided advantage, my friend quitted his sword and
called out. I could resist no longer; so, springing from my
concealment, I rushed between them with my sword drawn, and
parted them as if they had been two schoolboys: then, turning to
my brother, I addressed him as follows: "Wretch! miscreant!
knowest thou what thou art attempting? Wouldest thou lay thine
hand on the Lord's anointed, or shed his precious blood? Turn
thee to me, that I may chastise thee for all thy wickedness, and
not for the many injuries thou hast done to me!" To it we went,
with full thirst of vengeance on every side.
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