A second stroke so stiff and stern Had laid the savage low; But springing up, he raised his club And aimed a dreadful blow.
[Illustration: BUT SPRINGING UP, HE RAISED HIS CLUB AND AIMED A DREADFUL BLOW]
The watchful warrior bent his head, And shunned the coming stroke; Upon his taper spear it fell, And all to shivers broke.
Then lighting nimbly from his steed, He drew his burnisht brand. The savage quick as lightning flew To wrest it from his hand.
Three times he grasped the silver hilt; Three times he felt the blade; Three times it fell with furious force; Three ghastly wounds it made.
Now with redoubled rage he roared; His eye-ball flashed with fire; Each hairy limb with fury shook; And all his heart was ire.
Then closing fast with furious gripe He clasped the champion round, And with a strong and sudden twist He laid him on the ground.
But soon the Knight, with active spring, O’erturned his hairy foe; And now between their sturdy fists Past many a bruising blow.
They rolled and grappled on the ground, And there they struggled long: Skillful and active was the Knight; The savage he was strong.
But brutal force and savage strength To art and skill must yield: Sir Valentine at length prevailed, And won the well-fought field.
Then binding straight his conquered foe Fast with an iron chain, He ties him to his horse’s tail, And leads him o’er the plain.
To Court his hairy captive soon Sir Valentine doth bring; And kneeling down upon his knee, Presents him to the King.
With loss of blood and loss of strength The savage tamer grew; And to Sir Valentine became A servant, tried and true.
And ’cause with bears he erst was bred, Ursine they call his name; A name which unto future times The Muses shall proclaim.
In high renown with Prince and peer Now lived Sir Valentine; His high renown with Prince and peer Made envious hearts repine.
It chanced the King upon a day Prepared a sumptuous feast; And there came lords and dainty dames, And many a noble guest.
Amid their cups that freely flowed, Their revelry and mirth, A youthful Knight taxed Valentine Of base and doubtful birth.
The foul reproach, so grossly urged, His generous heart did wound; And strait he vowed he ne’er would rest Till he his parents found.