But when they found out how matters had gone, then, as ye may deem,
was the greatest joy and exultation, and carles and queans
both ran to arms and bade their deliverers learn them all that
belonged to war, and said that one thing should not be lacking,
to wit, the gift of their bodies, that should either lie dead
in the fields, or bear about henceforth the souls of free men.
Nothing lothe, the Champions became their doctors and teachers
of battle, and a great host was drawn together; and meanwhile
the Champions had sent messengers again to Hampton telling them
what was befallen, and asking for more men if they might be had.
But the Burg-abiders were not like to sit down under their foil.
Another host they sent against the Wheat-wearers, not so huge,
as well arrayed and wise in war. The Champions espied its goings,
and knew well that they had to deal with the best men of the Burg,
and they met them in like wise; for they chose the very best of the men
and the women, and pitched on a place whence they might ward them well,
and abode the foemen there; who failed not to come upon them,
stout and stern and cold, and well-learned in all feats of war.
"Long and bitter was the battle, and the Burgers were fierce without
head-strong folly, and the Wheat-wearers deemed that if they
blenched now, they had something worse than death to look to.
But in the end when both sides were grown weary and worn out,
and yet neither would flee, on a sudden came into the field
the help from the Dry Tree, a valiant company of riders to whom
battle was but game and play.
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