"Be stout of heart, oh Count, for if you prove Arderay to be false I
will give thee my daughter Belisant to wife."
On the morning of the morrow Arderay and Amis rode into the lists,
armed from plume to heel, in the presence of the King and of much
people. But the Queen with a great company of maidens and widows and
dames went from church to church, giving gifts of money and of torches,
and praying God for the safety of the champion of her daughter. Now
Amis considered in his heart that should he slay Arderay he would be
guilty of his blood before the eyes of God, and if he were overthrown
then would it be a shame to him for all his days. So he spake in such
manner as this to Arderay.
"Foul counsel hast thou followed, Sir Count, so ardently to seek my
death, and to thrust this life of thine into grievous peril of hurt. So
thou wilt withdraw the reproach thou hast fastened upon me, and avoid
this mortal strife, thou canst have of me friendship and loyal
service."