When Bors heard that,he did so much,he rose and put on his helm.Then perceived he first the hermit-priest which was slain,then made he a marvellous sorrow upon him.
CHAPTER XVI
How Sir Lionel slew Sir Colgrevance,and how after he would have slain Sir Bors.
THEN oft Colgrevance cried upon Sir Bors:Why will ye let me die here for your sake?if it please you that Idie for you the death,it will please me the better for to save a worthy man.With that word Sir Lionel smote off the helm from his head.Then Colgrevance saw that he might not escape;then he said:Fair sweet Jesu,that Ihave misdone have mercy upon my soul,for such sorrow that my heart suffereth for goodness,and for alms deed that I would have done here,be to me aligement of penance unto my soul's health.At these words Lionel smote him so sore that he bare him to the earth.So he had slain Colgrevance he ran upon his brother as a fiendly man,and gave him such a stroke that he made him stoop.
And he that was full of humility prayed him for God's love to leave this battle:For an it befell,fair brother,that I slew you or ye me,we should be dead of that sin.
Never God me help but if I have on you mercy,an I may have the better hand.Then drew Bors his sword,all weeping,and said:Fair brother,God knoweth mine intent.Ah,fair brother,ye have done full evil this day to slay such an holy priest the which never trespassed.
Also ye have slain a gentle knight,and one of our fellows.
And well wot ye that I am not afeard of you greatly,but I dread the wrath of God,and this is an unkindly war,therefore God show miracle upon us both.Now God have mercy upon me though I defend my life against my brother:with that Bors lift up his hand and would have smitten his brother.
CHAPTER XVII
How there came a voice which charged Sir Bors to touch him not,and of a cloud that came between them.
AND then he heard a voice that said:Flee Bors,and touch him not,or else thou shalt slay him.Right so alighted a cloud betwixt them in likeness of a fire and a marvellous flame,that both their two shields brent.
Then were they sore afraid,that they fell both to the earth,and lay there a great while in a swoon.And when they came to themself,Bors saw that his brother had no harm;then he held up both his hands,for he dread God had taken vengeance upon him.With that he heard a voice say:Bors,go hence,and bear thy brother no longer fellowship,but take thy way anon right to the sea,for Sir Percivale abideth thee there.Then he said to his brother:
Fair sweet brother,forgive me for God's love all that Ihave trespassed unto you.Then he answered:God forgive it thee and I do gladly.
So Sir Bors departed from him and rode the next way to the sea.And at the last by fortune he came to an abbey which was nigh the sea.That night Bors rested him there;and in his sleep there came a voice to him and bade him go to the sea.Then he stert up and made a sign of the cross in the midst of his forehead,and took his harness,and made ready his horse,and mounted upon him;and at a broken wall he rode out,and rode so long till that he came to the sea.And on the strand he found a ship covered all with white samite,and he alighted,and betook him to Jesu Christ.And as soon as he entered into the ship,the ship departed into the sea,and went so fast that him seemed the ship went flying,but it was soon dark so that he might know no man,and so he slept till it was day.Then he awaked,and saw in midst of the ship a knight lie all armed save his helm.Then knew he that it was Sir Percivale of Wales,and then he made of him right great joy;but Sir Percivale was abashed of him,and he asked him what he was.Ah,fair sir,said Bors,know ye me not?Certes,said he,I marvel how ye came hither,but if Our Lord brought ye hither Himself.Then Sir Bors smiled and did off his helm.Then Percivale knew him,and either made great joy of other,that it was marvel to hear.Then Bors told him how he came into the ship,and by whose admonishment;and either told other of their temptations,as ye have heard to-forehand.
So went they downward in the sea,one while backward,another while forward,and everych comforted other,and oft were in their prayers.Then said Sir Percivale:We lack nothing but Galahad,the good knight.
(And thus endeth the sixteenth book,which is of Sir Gawaine,Ector de Maris,and Sir Bors de Ganis,and Sir Percivale.And here followeth the seven-teenth book,which is of the noble knight Sir Galahad.)