‘Knight,’ he roared, ‘if it weren’t for that shield of yours you’d have been finished long ago! You work by enchantment, not chivalry! You must do, to have overcome the one who threw fire from my shield! If you weren’t bewitched you’d never have survived against me! But listen: if you’re brave enough to lay down your shield I promise to lay down mine. And I tell you, if you dare do this you’ll win a hundred times more praise if you then go on to vanquish me! Here: since I made the challenge I’ll lay mine down first.’

‘Gladly,’ said Perceval. ‘Let’s do it now.’

And they both took off their shields and laid them down in the middle of the field. They clutched their swords of tempered steel, gleaming, sharp, and advanced upon each other, and aimed and dealt the most awesome blows: the wounds inflicted would
surely never heal. Both knights almost burst with anger at failing to defeat the other – they’d made it clear there was no love lost!

On the sword-fight raged, so long that even the stronger weakened: the flesh of both was black and blue from the blows that they’d exchanged. But Perceval, naked sword in hand, launched himself at his foe once more, and with a backward cut caught
the knight in the side, so hard that he slashed mail rings from his hauberk – it wasn’t worth a farthing against that sword!– and sliced so deep into his flesh that the bowels came spilling out. But the Knight of the Dragon was tough and strong; when he felt the blow he summoned all his strength – before Perceval killed him he’d sell his life dearly if he could! – and flinging down his sword of steel, resolved to win or lose all, he ran and seized Perceval round the waist in an agonising hold. Perceval likewise gripped the knight as he drew him tight into his grasp; but the knight didn’t loose his hold at all – his strength was great indeed. Both knights strove with might and main for the honour of victory.

Gerbert's Continuation of Perceval