He lifts his axe lightly and lets it adown + 

With the bit of the blade on the báre nàpe; + 

It hurt him no more, though he hammer’d full hard, + 

Than to nick him a cut on the neck, at the side. + 

But the sharp blade shore through the skin to the flesh, + 

And the sheen blood shot o’er his shoulder to ground. + 

And the blood when he saw so bright on the snow, + 

He sprang forth like mad, a spear-length and more, + 

And angerly his helm on his head did he cast, + 

Shot round his shield the shoulder beneath, + 

And his bright sword drew: then broke he forth boldly + 

(Not since he was man born of a mother + 

Had he e’er in this world been a wight so blithe): + 

“Stop, Sirrah, thy strokes! I stand thee no more! + 

For a stroke in this stead without strife have I ta’en, + 

And more if thou deal I shall dearly requite, + 

And treat thee as traitor (trust ye my word) + 

and foe. + 

But one stroke to me falls⁠— + 

The compact said right so + 

Shapen in Arthur’s halls⁠— + 

To a second, I say No.” + 