The blow fell onto the shield,
Splitting it from the boss,
And the mail on the side
Was completely split into pieces.
God certainly defended Gawain
When his hand turned back the blade;
If he had not turned it aside,
It would have cut him to the quick.
The blow threw him with such force
That he was almost defeated,
But Gawain did not give up;

The Perilous Graveyard