noon
I had deemed that my foemen were far away , and that ye that here are were all friends unto me and unto each other . But now must we try another rede . Therewith he turned unto our men and said : Ye champions , are ye so much in love with Love that ye will fight for him ? They all yeasaid that , and then the king said : Then do I declare that these three will hold the field against all comers from matins till high noon , and that he who vanquisheth any one of them shall have his lady and wed her if he will , and , if he will , shall ransom her . And this field shall be foughten after two months ' frist in these fair meadows , when I return from the outermost marches of the south , whereto I am now wending . But when the battle is done , then let all men bow to the judgment of God , whether he be well content or not , and this on peril of life and limb . And now let there be deep peace between all men meanwhile ; and if any break the peace , be he high or low , rich or unrich , churl or earl , I swear it by the souls of my fathers that he shall lose nought save his life therefor .