Therefore will I give his life to him, yet not to thee will I give him if I may help it--Lo you, Sweet! he is just opening his eyes." Therewith he rose up from Ralph, who raised himself a little, and sat up dazed and feeble.

The Knight of the Sun stood up over him beside the lady with his hands clasped on his sword-hilt, and said to Ralph: "Young man, canst thou hear my words ?" Ralph smiled feebly and nodded a yea-say.

"Dost thou love thy life then ?" said the Knight.

Ralph found speech and said faintly, "Yea." Said the Knight: "Where dost thou come from, where is thine home ?" Said Ralph, "Upmeads." "Well then," quoth the big knight, "go back to Upmeads, and live." Ralph shook his head and knit his brows and said, "I will not." "Yea," said the Knight, "thou wilt not live?
Then must I shape me to thy humour.
Stand on thy feet and fight it out; for now I am cool I will not slay a swordless man." Ralph staggered up to his feet, but was so feeble still, that he sank down again, and muttered: "I may not; I am sick and faint;" and therewith swooned away again.

But the Knight stood a while leaning on his sword, and looking down on him not unkindly.