He gripped his sword angrily and struck Amoroldo's helmet with all his power and strength. So great, so true, and so strong was the blow, that it cut deep into his helmet, through the iron cap, and landed in his head. At the impact of the blow the sword broke off near the point, so that a sliver of the blade was lodged in Amoroldo's brain; and from the force of the heavy blow Amoroldo was stretched out on the ground, crying to Tristano for mercy, begging him not to kill him, and conceding him the victory. He renounced all the tribute he could ever demand from King Marco, whether he had a right to it or not.

Then Tristano, like a noble knight, for courtesy's sake pardoned him and did not kill him. He took him and put him into his boat and pushed it out into the water as far as he could, to send him back to his people. But Amoroldo, like a shameful knight, took a Syrian bow which he had in the boat and shot a poisoned arrow, wounding Tristano in the right thigh. Then he returned to his people, broke camp, and went home.

La Tavola Ritonda