"
"By Saint Cadoc! he speaks truly," croaked Beaumanoir, advancing
in front of his men. "You are well aware, Robert, that it is the
law of war and the usage of chivalry that if the knight to whom
you have surrendered is himself slain the prisoners thereby become
released."
There was no answer to this and Knolles, weary and spent, returned
to his comrades. "I would that we had slain them," said he. "We
have lost our leader and they have gained three men by the same
stroke."
"If any more lay down their arms it is my order that you slay them
forthwith," said Croquart, whose bent sword and bloody armor
showed how manfully he had borne himself in the fray. "And now,
comrades, do not be heavy-hearted because we have lost our leader.
Indeed, his rhymes of Merlin have availed him little. By the
three kings of Almain! I can teach you what is better than an old
woman's prophecies, and that is that you should keep your
shoulders together and your shields so close that none can break
between them. Then you will know what is on either side of you,
and you can fix your eyes upon the front. Also, if any be so weak
or wounded that he must sink his hands his comrades on right and
left can bear him up. Now advance all together in God's name, for
the battle is still ours if we bear ourselves like men."
In a solid line the English advanced, while the Bretons ran
forward as before to meet them.
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