Related Clues:

• Become less stern than intended
• Soften, grow less severe
• Relax severity or opposition
• Soften, become less severe
• Become less severe, soften
• Capitulate, relinquish
• Capitulation
• Abandon harsh intentions, be more lenient
• Yield to the control of another
• Be more lenient, abandon harsh intentions
• Become less severe and more forgiving
• Give in, soften
• 'Give in, soften (6)'
• Give oneself up to being a knight finisher, by the sound of it, perhaps
• That's about as fast as to be not so harsh