His sword he draw also blithe;
Then they fought, also I you say,
'Till it was high noon of the day.
The dragon was atened strong,
That of man him should stand so long;
The dragon hard him gan assail
And smote his hors with the tail
Right a-midward the head,
That he fell to ground dead.
Now is Bevis to ground brought,
Help him God, that all things wrought!
Bevis was hardy and of good heart,
Again the dragon anon a stert
And hard him again assail,
And he again with strong battle;
So between them last that fight
'Till it was the the dark night.
Bevis had then such thirst,
Him thought his heart to-burst;
Then seeing he a water him beside,
So it might well betide,
Fain a would there fled,
He ne dared from the dragon turn;
The dragon assailed him foot hot,
With his tail on his shield a smote,
That it cleaved evenly a-two,
His left shoulder did also.
Beves was hardy and of good heart,
Into the well anon a stert.

Lines 2774-2802