The story now returns to the palmer, who, after watching Sir Guyon out
of sight, wanders along the stream in quest of a vessel to follow his
master. Several days later he manages to cross, only to hear a silvery
voice calling for aid. Bursting through the thicket, he discovers Sir
Guyon, lying on the ground, watched over by a spirit of such
transcendent beauty that the palmer realizes it must be an angel even
before he notes its diaphanous wings. This ministering spirit assures
the palmer that Sir Guyon will soon recover, adding that although
unseen he will continue to watch over him, and will help him to escape
from all the dangers along his path. Then the heavenly spirit
vanishes, and, while the palmer is bending over the fainting Sir
Guyon, he sees two knights draw near, preceded by a page and followed
by an old man. These knights are Deceit and his brother, who have
been brought hither by the old man Archimago, to slay Sir Guyon whom
they hate.

Drawing near, these ruffians thrust the palmer aside, but, while they
are stripping the unconscious man of his armor, another knight
suddenly draws near and attacks them. One giant, being without a
sword, seizes that of Sir Guyon, although Archimago warns him that as
it once belonged to his antagonist, it will never harm him.

Prince Arthur, for it is he, now overcomes the ruffians, to whom he
generously offers life, provided they will obey him hereafter. But,
when they refuse these terms, he ruthlessly slays them, and their
spirits flee shrieking "to the land of eternal night."

At this moment Sir Guyon recovers his senses, and is overjoyed to find
the palmer beside him and to learn that Prince Arthur, who rescued him