The knight of the Redcrosse when him he spied,
Spurring so hot with rage dispiteous,
Again fairly couch his spear, and towards ride:
Soon meet they both, both fell and furious,
That daunted with their forces hideous,
Their steeds do stagger, and amazed stand,
And eke themselves too rudely rigorous,
Astonished with the stroke of their own hand,
Do back rebut, and each to other yieldeth land.

As when two rams stirred with ambitious pride,
Fight for the rule of the rich fleeced flock,
Their horned fronts so fierce on either side
Do meet, that with the terror of the shock
Astonished both, stand senseless as a block,
Forgetful of the hanging victory:
So stood these twain, unmoved as a rock,
Both staring fierce, and holding idly
The broken relics of their former cruelty.

Book 1, Canto 2