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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14305 ***
+
+LAYAMON'S BRUT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+At Totnes Constantin the fair and all his host came ashore; thither
+came the bold man--well was he brave!--and with him two thousand
+knights such as no king possessed. Forth they gan march into London,
+and sent after knights over all the kingdom, and every brave man, that
+speedily he should come anon.
+
+The Britons heard that, where they dwelt in the pits; in earth and in
+stocks they hid them like badgers, in wood and in wilderness, in heath
+and in fen, so that well nigh no man might find any Briton, except
+they were in castle, or in burgh inclosed fast. When they heard of
+this word, that Constantin was in the land, then came out of the
+mountains many thousand men; they leapt out of the wood as if it were
+deer. Many hundred thousand marched toward London, by street and by
+weald all it forth pressed; and the brave women put on them men's
+clothes, and they forth journeyed toward the army.
+
+When the Earl Constantin saw all this folk come to him, then he was so
+blithe as he was never before in life. Forth they took their way two
+nights and a day, so that they came full truly to Melga and Wanis.
+Together they rushed with stern strength, fought fiercely--the fated
+fell! Ere the day were gone, slain was Wanis and Melgan, and Peohtes
+enow, and Scots without number, Danes and Norwegians, Galloways and
+Irish. The while that the day was light lasted ever this slaughter.
+
+When it came to the eventime, then called the Earl Constantin, and
+bade that guides should ride to the waters, and active men toward the
+sea, for to guard them. A man should have seen the game, how the women
+forth marched over woods and over fields, over hills and over dales.
+Wheresoever they found any man escaped, that was with Melga the
+heathen king, the women loud laughed, and tore him all in pieces, and
+prayed for the soul, that never should good be to it. Thus the British
+women killed many thousands, and thus they freed this kingdom of Wanis
+and of Melga.
+
+And Constantin the brave marched to Silchester, and held there his
+husting of all his British thanes, all the Britons came to the
+meeting, and took Constantin the noble, and made him king of Britain--
+much was then the mirth that was among men. And afterwards they gave
+him a wife, one wondrous fair, born of the highest, of Britain the
+best of all. By this noble wife Constantin had in this land three
+little sons. The first son had well nigh his father's name; Constantin
+hight the king, Constance hight the child. When this child was waxed,
+that it could ride, then his father caused him to be made a monk,
+through counsel of wicked men, and the child was a monk in Winchester.
+After him was born another, who was the middle brother, he was named
+Aurelius, his surname hight Ambrosius. Then was last of all born a
+child that was well disposed, he was named Uther, his virtues were
+strong; he was the youngest brother, but he lived longer than the
+others.
+
+Guencelm the archbishop, who toward God was full good, took charge of
+the two children, for love of the king. But alas! that their father
+might live no longer!--for he had good laws the while that he lived;
+but he was king here but twelve years, and then was the king
+dead—-hearken now through what chance. He had in his house a Peoht,
+fair knight and most brave; he fared with the king, and with all his
+thanes by no other wise but as it were his brother. Then became he so
+potent, to all his companions unlike; then thought he to betray
+Constantin the powerful. He came before the king, and fell on his
+knees, and thus lied the traitor before his lord: "Lord king, come
+forthright, and speak with Cadal thy knight, and I will thee tell of
+strange speeches, such as thou never ere on earth heardest."
+
+Then arose the king Constantin, and went forth out with him. But alas!
+that Constantin's knights knew it not! They proceeded so long forward
+that they came in an orchard. Then said the traitor there: "Lord, be
+we here." The traitor sat down, as if he would hold secret discourse,
+and he approached to the king, as a man doth in whispering. He grasped
+a knife very long, and the king therewith he pierced into the heart;
+and he himself escaped--there the king dead lay, and the traitor fled
+away.
+
+The tidings came to court, how the king had fared; then was mickle
+sorrow spread to the folk. Then were the Britons busy in thought, they
+knew not through anything what they might have for king, for the
+king's two sons, little they were both. Ambrosie could scarcely ride
+on horse, and Uther, his brother, yet still sucked his mother; and
+Constance the eldest was monk in Winchester; monk's clothes he had on,
+as one of his companions. Then came to London all this landfolk, to
+their husting, and to advise them of a king, what wise they might do,
+and how they might take on, and which one of these children they might
+have for king. Then chose this people Aurelie Ambrosie, to have for
+king over them.
+
+That heard Vortiger, a crafty man and most wary; among the earls he
+stood, and firmly withstood it, and he thus said--sooth though it were
+not: "I will advise you counsel with the best; abide a fortnight, and
+come we eft right here, and I will say to you sooth words, so that
+with your eyes ye shall see, and your while well bestow; this same
+time we shall abide, and to our land the while ride, and hold amity
+and hold peace, freely in land."
+
+All the folk did as Vortiger deemed; and he himself went as if he
+would go to his land, and turned right the way that into Winchester
+lay. Vortiger had Welshland the half-part in his hand; forty knights
+good he had in his retinue. He proceeded to Winchester, where he found
+Constance, and spake with the abbot who governed the monastery where
+Constance was monk, the king's son of Britain. He went into the
+monastery with mild speech; he said that he would speak with
+Constance. The abbot granted it to him, and he led him to the
+speech-house. Thus spake Vortiger with the monk then there:
+"Constance, hearken my counsel, for now is thy father dead. There is
+Ambrosie thy brother, and Uther the other. Now have the elders, the
+noblest in land, chosen Aurelie--his surname is Ambrosie--if they may
+through all things they will make him king; and Uther, thy brother,
+yet sucketh his mother. But I have opposed them, and think to withsay,
+for I have been steward of all Britain's land, and earl I am potent,
+unlike to my companions, and I have Welshland half part in my hand;
+more I have alone than the others all clean. I am come to thee, for
+dearest of men thou art to me; if thou wilt swear to me oaths, I will
+take off thee these clothes, if thou wilt increase my land, and thy
+counsel place in my hand, and make me thy steward over all Britain's
+land, and through my counsel do all thy deeds, and if thou wilt pledge
+me in hand, that I shall rule it all, I will through all things make
+thee Britain's king." This monk sate well still, the speech went to
+him at his will. Then answered the monk with much delight: "Well worth
+thee, Vortiger, that thou art come here; if evermore cometh the day
+that I may be king, all my counsel and all my land I will place in
+thine hand, and all that thou wilt do, my men shall accept it. And
+oaths I will swear to thee, that I will not deceive thee." Thus said
+the monk; he mourned greatly how else it were, that he were monk; for
+to him were black clothes wondrously odious. Vortiger was crafty and
+wary--that he made known everywhere--he took a cape of a knight of
+his, and on the monk he put it, and led him out of the place; he took
+a swain anon, and the black clothes put on him, and held secret
+discourse with the swain, as if it were the monk.
+
+Monks passed upward, monks passed downward; they saw by the way the
+swain with monk's clothes; the hood hanged down as if he hid his
+crown; they all weened that it were their brother, who there sate so
+sorry in the speech-house, in the daylight, among all the knights.
+They came to their abbot, and greeted him in God's name: "Lord,
+benedicite, we are come before thee, for strange it seemeth to us what
+Vortiger thinketh in our speech-house, where he holdeth discourse,
+throughout this day no monk may come therein, except Constance alone,
+and the knights all clean. Sore we dread, that they him miscounsel."
+Then answered the abbot; "Nay, but they counsel him good; they bid him
+hold his hood (holy order), for now is his father dead." Vortiger
+there abode the while Constance away rode. Vortiger up arose, from the
+monastery departed, and all his knight out went forth-right.
+
+The monks there ran thither anon, they weened to find Constance; when
+they saw the clothes lie by the walls, then each to other lamented
+their brother. The abbot leapt on horse, and after Vortiger rode, and
+soon gan overtake the Earl Vortiger. Thus said the abbot to Vortiger
+where he rode: "Say me, thou mad knight, why dost thou so great wrong?
+Thou takest from us our brother,--leave him, and take the other. Take
+Ambrosie the child, and make of him a king, and anger thou not Saint
+Benedict, nor do thou to him any wrong!"
+
+Vortiger heard this--he was crafty and very wary;--soon he came back,
+and the abbot he took, and swore by his hand, that he would him hang,
+unless he him pledged, that he would forthright unhood Constance the
+king's son of this land, and for such need he should be king of this
+country. The abbot durst no other, there he unhooded his brother, and
+the child gave the abbot in hand twenty ploughlands, and afterwards
+they proceeded forth into London. Vortiger the high forbade his
+attendants, that they to no man should tell what they had in design.
+Vortiger lay in London, until the same set day came, that the knights
+of this land should come to husting.
+
+At the day they came, many and numerous; they counselled, they
+communed, the stern warriors, that they would have Ambrosie, and raise
+for king; for Uther was too little--the yet he might suck--and
+Constance was monk, who was eldest of them, and they would not for
+anything make a monk king. Vortiger heard this, who was crafty and
+most wary, and leapt on foot as if it were a lion. None of the Britons
+there knew what Vortiger had done. He had in a chamber Constance the
+dear, well bathed and clothed, and afterwards hid with twelve knights.
+Then thus spake Vortiger--he was of craft wary: "Listen, lordings, the
+while that I speak of kings. I was in Winchester, where I well sped, I
+spake with the abbot, who is a holy man and good, and said him the
+need that is come to this nation by Constantin's death--therefore he
+is uneasy--and of Constance the child, that he had holden. And I bade
+him for love of God, to take off the child's hood, and for such need
+he should be king in the country. And the abbot took his counsel, and
+did all that I bade him; and here I have his monks, who are good and
+chief, who shall witness bear before you all. Lo! where here is the
+same child, make we hereof a king, and here I hold the crown that
+thereto behoveth, and whoso will this withsay, he shall it buy dear!"
+
+Vortiger was most strong, the highest man of Britain, was there never
+any so bold that his words durst deprecate. In the same town was the
+archbishop dead, and there was no bishop that forth on his way did not
+pass, nor monk nor any abbot, that he on his way did not ride, for
+they durst not for fear of God do there the wrong, to take the monk
+child, and make him Britain's king. Vortiger saw this--of all evil he
+was well ware, up he gan to stand, the crown he took in hand, and he
+set it upon Constance--that was to him in thought. Was there never any
+man that might there do Christendom, that might do blessing upon the
+king, but Vortiger alone did it clean for all! The beginning was
+unfair, and also was the end, he deserted God's hood (holy order),
+therefore he had sorrow! Thus was Constance king of this land, and
+Vortiger was his steward.
+
+Constance set all his kingdom in Vortiger's hand, and he did all in
+the land, as he himself would. Then saw Vortiger--of much evil he was
+ware--that Constance the king knew nothing of land (government?), for
+he had not learnt ever any learning, except what a monk should perform
+in his monastery. Vortiger saw that--the Worse was full nigh him!--oft
+he bethought him what he might do, how he might with leasing please
+the king. Now thou mayest hear, how this traitor gan him fare. The
+best men of Britain were all dead, now were the king's brothers both
+full little, and Guencehn the archbishop therebefore was dead, and
+this land's king himself of the law knew nothing. Vortiger saw this,
+and he came to the king, with mild speech his lord he gan greet: "Hail
+be thou, Constance, Britain's lord! I am come thus nigh thee for much
+need, for to say to thee tidings that are come to land, of very great
+danger. Now thee behoveth might, now weapons behove thee to defend thy
+country. Here are chapmen arrived from other lands, as it is the
+custom; they have brought to me toll for their goods, and they have
+told me and plighted troth, that the King of Norway will newly fare
+hither, and the Danish king these Danes will seek, and the King of
+Russia, sternest of all knights, and the King of Gothland with host
+most strong, and the King of Frise--therefore it alarmeth me. The
+tidings are evil that are come to land; herefore I am most adread, for
+I know no good counsel, unless we may with might send after knights,
+that are good and strong, and that are well able in land, and fill thy
+castles with keen men, and so thou mightest defend thy kingdom against
+foreigners, and maintain thy worship with high strength. For there is
+no kingdom, so broad nor so long, that will not soon be taken if there
+are too few warriors."
+
+Then answered the king--of land he knew nothing--"Vortiger, thou art
+steward over all Britain's land, and thou shalt it rule after thy
+will. Send after knights that are good in fight; and take all in thine
+hand, my castles and my land, and do all thy will, and I will be
+still, except the single thing, that I will be called king."
+
+Then laughed Vortiger--he was of evil most ware--was he never so
+blithe ere in his life! Vortiger took leave, and forth he gan pass,
+and so he proceeded through all Britain's land, all the castles and
+all the land he set in his own hand, and the fealty he took ever where
+he came. And so he took his messengers, and sent to Scotland, and
+ordered the Peohtes, the knights best of all, three hundred to come to
+him, and he would well do to them. And the knights came to him
+thereafter well soon; thus spake the traitorous man: "Knights, ye are
+welcome. I have in my hand all this regal land, with me ye shall go,
+and I will you love, and I will you bring before our king; ye shall
+have silver and gold, the best horses of this land, clothes, and fair
+wives; your will I will perform Ye shall be to me dear, for the
+Britons are hateful to me, loud and still I will do your will, if ye
+will in land hold me for lord." Then forth-right answered the knights
+"We will do all thy will," and they gan proceed to Constance the king.
+To the king came Vortiger--of evil he was well ware--and said him of--
+had done--"And here I have the Peohtes, who shall be household
+knights; and I have most well stored all thy castles, and these
+foreign knights shall before us fight." The king commended all as
+Vortiger purposed, but alas! that the king knew nothing of his
+thoughts, nor of his treachery, that he did soon thereafter! These
+knights were in court highly honoured, full two years with the king
+they dwelt there, and Vortiger the steward was lord of them all. Ever
+he said that the Britons were not of use, but he said that the Peohtes
+were good knights. Ever were the Britons deprived of goods, and the
+Peohtes wielded all that they would. They had drink, they had meat,
+they had eke much bliss. Vortiger granted them all that they would,
+and was to them as dear as their own life; so that they all spake,
+where they ate their meat, that Vortiger were worthy to govern this
+realm throughout all things, better than three such kings! Vortiger
+gave these men very much treasure.
+
+Then befell it on a day, that Vortiger lay at his inn; he took his two
+knights and sent after the Peohtes, bade them come here, for they all
+should eat there. Forth-right the knights came to him, to his inn, he
+tried them with words as they sate at the board, he caused draughts to
+be brought them of many kinds of drinks, they drank, they revelled,
+the day there forth passed. When they were so drunk that their shanks
+weakened, then spake Vortiger what he had previously thought: "Hearken
+now to me, knights, I will say to you forth-right of my mickle sorrow
+that I for you have mourned. The king delivered me this land for to be
+his steward. Ye are to me liefest of all men alive, but I have not
+wealth to give my knights, for this king possesses all this land, and
+he is young and also strong, and all I must yield to him that I take
+of his land, and if I destroy his goods, I shall suffer the law, and
+mine own wealth I have spent, because I would please you. And now I
+must depart hence far to some king, serve him with peace, and gain
+wealth with him; I may not for much shame have here this abode, but
+forth I must go to foreign lands And if the day shall ever come that I
+may acquire wealth, and I may so well thrive, that ye come in the land
+where I am, I will well reward you with much worship. And have now all
+good day, for to-night I will go away, it is a great doubt whether ye
+see me evermore"--These knights knew not what the traitor thought
+Vortiger was treacherous, for here he betrayed his lord, and the
+knights held it for sooth, what the traitor said Vortiger ordered his
+swains to saddle his steeds, and named twelve men to lead with
+himself, to horse they went as if they would depart from the land.
+
+The Peohtes saw that--the drunken knights--how Vortiger would depart,
+herefore they had much care, they went to counsel, they went to
+communing, all they lamented their life exceedingly, because Vortiger
+was so dear to them And thus said the Peohtes, the drunken knights:
+"What may we now in counsel? who shall us now advise? who shall us
+feed, who shall us clothe, who shall be our lord at court? Now
+Vortiger is gone, we all must depart,--we will not for anything have a
+monk for king! But we will do well, forth-right go we to him, secretly
+and still, and do all our will, into his chamber, and drink of his
+beer When we have drunk, loudly revel we, and some shall go to the
+door, and with swords stand therebefore, and some forth-right take the
+king and his knights, and smite off the heads of them, and we
+ourselves have the court, and cause soon our lord Vortiger to be
+overtaken, and afterwards through all things raise him to be
+king;—-then may we live as to us is befest of all."
+
+The knights proceeded to the king forth-right; they all went
+throughout the hall into the king's chamber, where he sate by the fire
+There was none that spake a word except Gille Callæt; thus he spake
+with the king whom he there thought to betray: "Listen to me now,
+monarch, I will nothing lie to thee We have been in court highly
+honoured through thy steward, who hath governed all this land, he hath
+us well fed, he hath us well clothed And in sooth I may say to thee,
+with him we ate now to day, but sore it us grieveth, we had nought to
+drink, and now we are in thy chamber give us drink of thy beer" Then
+gave the king answer "That shall be your least care, for ye shall have
+to drink the while that you think good" Men brought them drink, and
+they gan to revel, thus said Gille Callæt--at the door he was full
+active "Where be ye, knights? Bestir you forth right!" And they seized
+the king, and smote off his head, and all his knights they slew
+forth-right And took a messenger, and sent toward London, that he
+should ride quickly after Vortiger, that he should come speedily, and
+take the kingdom, for that he should know through all things, slain
+was Constance the king. Vortiger heard that, who was traitor full
+secret; thus he ordered the messenger back forth-right anon, and bade
+them "well to keep all our worship that never one depart out of the
+place, but all abide me, until that I arrive, and so I will divide
+this land among us all."
+
+Forth went the messenger, and Vortiger took anon and sent over London,
+and ordered them quickly and full soon, that they all should come to
+husting. When the burgh-men were come, who were most bold, then spake
+Vortiger, who was traitor full secret,--much he gan to weep, and
+sorrowfully to sigh, but it was in his head, and not in his heart.
+Then asked him the burgh-men, who were most bold. "Lord Vortiger, what
+is that thou mournest? Thou art no woman so sore to weep." Then
+answered Vortiger, who was traitor full secret: "I will tell you
+piteous speeches, of much calamity that is come to the land. I have
+been in this realm your king's steward, and spoken with him, and loved
+him as my life. But he would not at the end any counsel approve, he
+loved the Peohtes, the foreign knights, and he would not do good to
+us, nor anywhere fair receive, but to them he was gracious, ever in
+their lives I might not of the king have remuneration (or wages), I
+spent my wealth, the while that it lasted, and afterwards I took leave
+to go to my land, and when I had my tribute, come again to court. When
+the Peohtes saw that the king had no knights, nor ever any kind of man
+that would aught for them do, they took their course into the king's
+chamber I say you through all things, they have slain the king, and
+think to destroy this kingdom and us all, and will forth-right make
+them king of a Peoht. But I was his steward, avenge I will my lord,
+and every brave man help me to do that. On I will with my gear, and
+forth-right I will go."
+
+Thirty hundred knights marched out of London; they rode and they ran,
+forth with Vortiger, until they approached where the Peohtes dwelt.
+And he took one of his knights, and sent to the Peohtes, and said to
+them that he came, if they would him receive. The Peohtes were blithe
+for their murder (that they had committed), and they took their good
+gear—-there was neither shield nor spear Vortiger weaponed all his
+knights forth right, and the Peohtes there came, and brought the head
+of the king. When Vortiger saw this head, then fell he full nigh to
+the ground, as if he had grief most of all men, with his countenance
+he gan he, but his heart was full blithe. Then said Vortiger, who was
+traitor full secret: "Every brave man lay on them with sword, and
+avenge well in the land the sorrow of our lord!" None they captured,
+but all they them slew; and proceeded to the inn, into Winchester, and
+slew their swains, and their chamber-servants, their cooks, and their
+boys, all they deprived of life-day. Thus faired the tidings of
+Constance the king.
+
+And the worldly-wise men took charge of the other children; for they
+had care of Vortiger they took Ambrosie and Uther, and led them over
+sea, into the Less Britain, and delivered them fairly to Biduz the
+king. And he them fairly received, for he was their kin and their
+friend, and with much joy the children he brought up; and so well many
+years with him they were there.
+
+Vortiger in this land was raised to be king; all the strong burghs
+stood in his hand; five-and-twenty years he was king here. He was mad,
+he was wild, he was cruel, he was bold; of all things he had his will,
+except the Peohtes were never still, but ever they advanced over the
+north end, and afflicted this kingdom with prodigious harm, and
+avenged their kin enow, whom Vortiger slew here.
+
+In the meantime came tidings into this land, that Aurelie was knight,
+who was named Ambrosie, and also was Uther, good knight and most wary,
+and would come to this land, and lead an army most strong. This was
+many times a saying oft repeated; oft came these tidings to Vortiger
+the king; therefore it oft shamed him, and his heart angered, for men
+said it everywhere:--"Now will come Ambrosie and Uther, and will
+avenge soon Constance, the king of this land; there is no other
+course, avenge they will their brother, and slay Vortiger, and burn
+him to dust; thus they will set all this land in their own hand!" So
+spake each day all that passed by the way.
+
+Vortiger bethought him what he might do, and thought to send
+messengers into other lands, after foreign knights, who might him
+defend; and thought to be wary against Ambrosie and Uther.
+
+In the meantime came tidings to Vortiger the king, that over sea were
+come men exceeding strange; in the Thames to land they were come;
+three ships good came with the flood, therein three hundred knights,
+kings as it were, without (besides) the shipmen who were there within.
+These were the fairest men that ever here came, but they were
+heathens--that was the more harm! Vortiger sent to them, and asked how
+they were disposed (their business); if they sought peace, and recked
+of his friendship? They answered wisely, as well they knew, and said
+that they would speak with the king, and lovingly him serve, and hold
+him for lord; and so they gan wend forth to the king. Then was
+Vortiger the king in Canterbury, where he with his court nobly
+diverted themselves; there these knights came before the sovereign. As
+soon as they met him, they greeted him fair, and said that they would
+serve him in this land, if he would them with right retain. Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware--"In all my life that I
+have lived, by day nor by night saw I never ere such knights; for your
+arrival I am blithe, and with me ye shall remain, and your will I will
+perform, by my quick life! But first I would of you learn, through
+your sooth worship, what knights ye be, and whence ye are come, and
+whether ye will be true, old and eke new?"
+
+Then answered the one who was the eldest brother: "Listen to me now,
+lord king, and I will make known to you what knights we are, and
+whence we are come. I hight Hengest; Hors is my brother; we are of
+Alemaine, a land noblest of all, of the same end that Angles is named.
+In our land are strange tidings; after fifteen years the folk is
+assembled, all our nation-folk, and cast their lots; upon whom that it
+falleth, he shall depart from the land. The five shall remain, the
+sixth shall forth proceed out of the country to a foreign land; be he
+man ever so loved, he shall forth depart. For there is folk very much,
+more than they would desire; the women go there with child as the wild
+deer, every year they bear child there! That is fallen on us, that we
+should depart; we might not remain, for life nor for death, nor for
+ever anything, for fear of the sovereign. Thus we fared there, and
+therefore are we now here, to seek under heaven land and good lord.
+Now thou hast heard, lord king, sooth of us through all things." Then
+answered Vortiger—-of each evil he was ware—-"I believe thee, knight,
+that thou sayest to me right sooth. And what are your creeds, that ye
+in believe, and your dear god, whom ye worship?" Then answered
+Hengest, fairest of all knights—-in all this kingdom is not a knight
+so tall nor so strong:—-"We have good gods, whom we love in our mind,
+whom we have hope in, and serve them with might. The one hight Phebus;
+the second Saturnus; the third hight Woden, who is a mighty god; the
+fourth hight Jupiter, of all things he is aware; the fifth hight
+Mercurius, who is the highest over us; the sixth hight Appolin, who is
+a god brave; the seventh hight Tervagant, a high god in our land. Yet
+(in addition) we have a lady, who is high and mighty, high she is and
+holy, therefore courtiers love her--she is named Frea--well she them
+treateth. But among all our dear gods whom we shall serve, Woden had
+the highest law in our elders' days; he was dear to them even as their
+life, he was their ruler, and did to them worship; the fourth day in
+the week they gave him for his honour. To the Thunder (Jupiter) they
+gave Thursday, because that it may help them; to Frea, their lady,
+they gave her Friday; to Saturnus they gave Saturday; to the Sun they
+gave Sunday; to the Moon they gave Monday; to Tidea they gave
+Tuesday." Thus said Hengest, fairest of all knights. Then answered
+Vortiger—-of each evil he was ware--"Knights, ye are dear to me, but
+these tidings are loathsome to me; your creeds are wicked, ye believe
+not on Christ, but ye believe on the Worse, whom God himself cursed;
+your gods are of nought, in hell they lie beneath. But nevertheless I
+will retain you in my power, for northward are the Peohtes, knights
+most brave, who oft into my land lead host most strong, and oft do me
+much shame, and therefore I have grief. And if ye will me avenge, and
+procure me their heads, I will give you land, much silver and gold."
+Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "If Saturnus so will
+it, and Woden, our lord, on whom we believe, it shall all thus be!"
+
+Hengest took leave, and gan wend to his ships; there was many a strong
+knight; they drew their ships upon the land. Forth went the warriors
+to Vortiger the king; Hengest went before, and Hors, next of all to
+him; then the Alemainish men, who were noble in deeds; and afterwards
+they sent to him (Vortiger) their brave Saxish knights, Hengest's
+kinsmen, of his old race. They came into hall, fairly all; better were
+clothed and better were fed Hengest's swains, than Vortiger's thanes!
+Then was Vortiger's court held in contempt! the Britons were sorry for
+such a sight.
+
+It was no whit long before five knights' sons who had travelled
+quickly came to the king; they said to the king new tidings: "Now
+forth-right the Peohtes are come; through thy land they run, and
+harry, and burn, and all the north end fell to the ground; hereof thou
+must advise thee, or we all shall be dead." The king bethought him
+what he might do, he sent to the inn, after all his men. There came
+Hengest, there came Hors, there came many a man full brave; there came
+the Saxish men, Hengest's kinsmen, and the Alemainish knights, who are
+good in fight. The King Vortiger saw this; blithe was he then there.
+
+The Peohtes did, as was their custom, on this side of the Humber they
+were come. And the King Vortiger of their coming was full aware;
+together they came (encountered), and many there slew; there was fight
+most strong, combat most stern! The Peohtes were oft accustomed to
+overcome Vortiger, and so they thought then to do, but it befell then
+in other wise, for it was safety to them (the Britons) that Hengest
+was there, and the strong knights who came from Saxland, and the brave
+Alemainish, who came thither with Hors, for very many Peohtes they
+slew in the fight; fiercely they fought, the fated fell! When the noon
+was come, then were the Peohtes overcome, and quickly away they fled,
+on each side they forth fled, and all day they fled, many and without
+number. The King Vortiger went back to lodging, and ever were nigh to
+him Hors and Hengest. Hengest was dear to the king, and to him he gave
+Lindesey, and he gave Hors treasures enow, and all their knights he
+treated exceeding well, and thus a good time it stood in the same
+wise. The Peohtes durst never come into the land, no robbers nor
+outlaws, that they were not soon slain; and Hengest exceeding fairly
+served the king.
+
+Then befell it on a time, that the king was very blithe, on a
+high-day, among his people. Hengest bethought him what he might do,
+for he would hold secret discourse with the king; he went before the
+king, and gan greet fair. The king up stood, and set him by himself;
+they drank, they revelled--bliss was among them. Then quoth Hengest to
+the king: "Lord, hearken tidings, and I will tell thee of secret
+discourse, if thou wilt well listen to my advice, and not hold in
+wrath what I well teach." And the king answered as Hengest would it.
+Then said Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Lord, I have many a day
+advanced thy honour, and been thy faithful man in thy rich court, and
+in each fight the highest of thy knights. And I have often heard
+anxious whisperings among thy courtiers; they hate thee exceedingly,
+unto the bare death, if they it durst show. Oft they speak stilly, and
+discourse with whispers, of two young men, that dwell far hence; the
+one hight Uther, the other Ambrosie--the third hight Constance who was
+king in this land, and he here was slain through traitorous usage. The
+others will now come, and avenge their brother, all consume thy land,
+and slay thy people, thyself and thy folk drive out of land. And thus
+say thy men, where they sit together, because the twain brothers are
+both royally born, of Androein's race, these noble Britons; and thus
+thy folk stilly condemn thee. But I will advise thee of thy great
+need, that thou procure knights that are good in fight; and give to me
+a castle, or a royal burgh, that I may be in, the while that I live.
+For I am for thee hated--therefore I ween to be dead, fare wherever I
+fare, I am never without care, unless I be fast inclosed in a castle.
+If thou wilt do this for me, I will it receive with love, and quickly
+I will send after my wife, who is a Saxish woman, of wisdom excellent,
+and after my daughter Rowenne, who is most dear to me. When I have my
+wife, and my kinsmen, and I am in thy land fully settled, the better I
+will serve thee, if thou grantest me this." Then answered Vortiger--of
+each evil he was ware--"Take quickly knights, and send after thy wife,
+and after thy children, the young and the old, and after thy kin, and
+receive them with joy; when they to thee come, thou shalt have riches
+to feed them nobly, and worthily to clothe them. But I will not give
+to thee any castle or burgh, for men would reproach me in my kingdom,
+for ye hold the heathen law that stood in your elders' days, and we
+hold Christ's law, and will ever in our days." The yet spake Hengest,
+fairest of all knights: "Lord, I will perform thy will, here and over
+all, and do all my deeds after thy counsel. Now will I speedily send
+after my wife, and after my daughter, who is to me very dear, and
+after brave men, the best of my kin. And thou give me so much land, to
+stand in mine own hand, as a bull's hide will each way overspread, far
+from each castle, amidst a field. Then nor the poor nor the rich may
+blame thee, that thou hast given any noble burgh to a heathen man."
+And the king granted him as Hengest yearned.
+
+Hengest took leave, and forth he gan pass, and after his wife he sent
+messengers, to his own land, and he himself went over this land, to
+seek a broad field whereon he might well spread his fair hide. He came
+to a spot, in a fair field, he had obtained a hide to his need, of a
+wild bull that was wondrously strong. He had a wise man, who well knew
+of craft, who took this hide, and laid it on a board, and whet his
+shears, as if he would shear. Of the hide he carved a thong, very
+small and very long, the thong was not very broad, but as it were a
+thread of twine; when the thong was all slit, it was wondrously long,
+about therewith he encompassed a great deal of land. He began to dig a
+ditch very mickle, there upon a stone wall, that was strong over all,
+a burgh he areared, mickle and lofty. When the burgh was all ready,
+then shaped he to it a name, he named it full truly Kaer-Carrai in
+British, and English knights they called it Thongchester. Now and
+evermore the name standeth there, and for no other adventure had the
+burgh the name, until that Danish men came, and drove out the Britons;
+the third name they set there, and Lanecastel (Lancaster) it named;
+and for such events the town had these three names.
+
+In the meantime arrived hither Hengest's wife with her ships; she had
+for companions fifteen hundred riders; with her came, to wit, mickle
+good ships; therein came much of Hengest's kin, and Rowenne, his
+daughter, who was to him most dear. It was after a while, that that
+time came, that the burgh was completed with the best of all. And
+Hengest came to the king, and asked him to a banquet, and said that he
+had prepared an inn against him (his coming) and bade that he should
+come thereto, and he should be fairly received. And the king granted
+him as Hengest it would.
+
+It came to the time that the king gan forth proceed, with the dearest
+men of all his folk; forth he gan proceed until he came to the burgh.
+He beheld the wall up and down over all; all it liked him well, that
+he on looked. He went into the hall, and all his knights with him;
+trumps they blew, games men gan to call, boards they ordered to be
+spread, knights sate thereat, they ate, they drank, joy was in the
+burgh!—-when the folk had eaten, then was the better befallen to them.
+
+Hengest went into the inn, where Rowenne dwelt; he caused her to be
+clad with excessive pride; all the clothes that she had on, they were
+most excellent, they were good with the best, embroidered with gold.
+She bare in her hand a golden bowl, filled with wine, that was one
+wondrous good. High-born men led her into the hall before the king,
+fairest of all things! Rouwenne sate on her knee, and called to the
+king, and thus first she said in English land: "Lord king, wassail!
+for thy coming I am glad." The king this heard, and knew not what she
+said, the King Vortiger asked his knights soon, what were the speech
+that the maid spake. Then answered Keredic, a knight most admirable;
+he was the best interpreter that ere came here: "Listen to me now, my
+lord king, and I will make known to thee what Rowenne saith, fairest
+of all women. It is the custom in Saxland, wheresoever any people make
+merry in drink, that friend sayeth to his friend, with fair comely
+looks, 'Dear friend, wassail!'--the other sayeth, 'Drinchail!' The
+same that holds the cup, he drinketh it up; another full cup men
+thither bring, and give to his comrade. When the full cup is come,
+then kiss they thrice. These are the good customs in Saxland, and in
+Alemaine they are accounted noble!"
+
+Vortiger heard this—-of each evil he was ware--and said it in British,
+for he knew no English: "Maiden Rouwenne, drink then blithely!" The
+maid drank up the wine, and let do (put) other wine therein, and gave
+to the king, and thrice him kissed. And through the same people the
+custom came to this land of Wassail and Drinchail—-many a man thereof
+is glad' Rouwenne the fair sate by the king; the king beheld her
+longingly, she was dear to him in heart, oft he kissed her, oft he
+embraced her; all his mind and his might inclined towards the maiden.
+
+The Worse was there full nigh, who in each game is full cruel; the
+Worse who never did good, he troubled the king's mood; he mourned full
+much, to have the maiden for wife. That was a most loathly thing, that
+the Christian king should love the heathen maid, to the harm of his
+people! The maiden was dear to the king, even as his own life; he
+prayed to Hengest, his chieftain, that he should give him the
+maid-child. Hengest found in his counsel to do what the king asked
+him; he gave him Rouwenne, the woman most fair. To the king it was
+pleasing; he made her queen, all after the laws that stood in the
+heathen days; was there no Christendom, where the king took the maid,
+nor priest, nor any bishop, nor was God's book ever handled, but in
+the heathen fashion he wedded her, and brought her to his bed' Maiden
+he had her, and ample gift bestowed on her; when he had disgraced
+himself on her, he gave her London and Kent.
+
+The king had three sons, who were men exceeding fair; the eldest hight
+Vortimer,--Pascent, and Catiger. Garengan was an earl, who possessed
+Kent long, and his father before him, and he afterwards through his
+kin (by inheritance), when he best weened to hold his land, then had
+it the queen, and Hengest in his hand; strange it seemed to the
+knight, what the king thought. The king loved the heathens and harmed
+the Christians, the heathens had all this land to rule under their
+hand, and the king's three sons oft suffered sorrow and care. Their
+mother was then dead, therefore they had the less counsel--their
+mother was a woman most good, and led a life very Christian, and their
+stepmother was heathen, Hengest's daughter.
+
+It was not long but a while, that the king made a feast, exceeding
+great, the heathens he brought thereto, he weened most well to do;
+thither came thanes, knights and swains. And all that knew of book
+(the Christians) forsook the feast, for the heathen men were highest
+in the court, and the Christian fold was held for base; the heathens
+were blithe, for the king loved them greatly. Hengest bethought him
+what he might do; he came to the king, with a hailing (salutation),
+and drank to the king. Then thus spake Hengest, fairest of all knights
+who lived of heathen law in those days: "Hearken to me now, lord king,
+thou art to me dear through all things; thou hast my daughter, who is
+to me very dear, and I am to thee among folk as if I were thy father.
+Hearken to my instruction, it shall be to thee lief, for I wish
+chiefly to help counsel thee. Thy court hate thee on my account, and I
+am detested for thee, and thee hate kings, earls and thanes; they fare
+in thy land with a host exceeding strong. If thou wilt avenge thee
+with much worship, and do woe to thy enemies, send after my son Octa,
+and after another, Ebissa, his wed-brother. These are the noblest men
+that ever led army; and give them of thy land in the north end. They
+are of mickle might, and strong in fight; they will defend thy land
+well with the best; then mightest thou in joy thy life all spend, with
+hawks and with hounds court-play love; needest thou never have care of
+foreign people." Then answered Vortiger--of each evil he was
+ware--"Send thy messengers into Saxland, after thy son Octa, and after
+thy friends more. Cause him to know well, that he send his writs after
+all the knights that are good in fight, over all Saxland, that they
+come to my need, and though he bring ten thousand men, all they shall
+be welcome to me." Hengest heard this, fairest of all knights, then
+was he so blithe as he was never in his life.
+
+Hengest sent his messengers into Saxland, and bade Octa come, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa, and all of their kindred that they might gain, and
+all the knights that they might get. Octa sent messengers over three
+kingdoms, and bade each brave man speedily to come to him, who would
+obtain land, or silver or gold. They came soon to the army, as hail
+that falleth, that was to wit, with three hundred ships. Forth went
+with Octa thirty thousand and eke more, brave men and keen; and
+Ebissa, his companion, afterwards arrived with numberless folk, and he
+led to wit an hundred and fifty ships; thereafter arrived five and
+five, by six, by seven, by ten, and by eleven; and thus the heathen
+warriors they arrived toward this land, to the court of this king, so
+that this land was so full of foreign people, that there was no man so
+wise, nor so quick-witted, that might separate the Christians and the
+heathens, for the heathens were so rife, and ever they speedily came!
+
+When the Britons saw that sorrow was in the land, therefore they were
+sorry, and in their heart dreary, and proceeded to the king, the
+highest of this land, and thus to him said with sorrowful voice:
+"Listen to us, lord king, of our discourse; thou art through us (by
+our means) bold king in this Britain, and thou hast procured to thee
+harm and much sin; brought heathen folk--yet it may thee harm;--and
+thou forsakest God's law, for foreign folk, and wilt not worship our
+Lord, for these heathen knights. And we would pray thee, for all God's
+peace, that thou leave them, and drive from thy land. If thou else
+(otherwise) mightest not, we will make mickle fight, and drive them
+from land, or fell them down, or we ourselves will lie slain, and let
+the heathen folk hold this realm, possess it with joy, if they may it
+win. And if they all are heathen, and thou alone Christian, they will
+never long have thee for king, except thou in thy days receive the
+heathen law, and desert the high God, and praise their idols. Then
+shalt thou perish in this world's realm, and thy wretched soul sink to
+hell; then hast thou dearly bought the love of thy bride!" Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware:--"I will not leave them,
+by my quick life! For Hengest is hither come, he is my father, and I
+his son; and I have for mistress his daughter Rouwenne, and I have
+wedded her, and had in my bed, and afterwards I sent after Octa, and
+after more of his companions;--how might I for shame shun them so
+soon, and drive from land my dear friends?" Then answered the Britons,
+with sorrow bound: "We will nevermore obey thy commands, nor come to
+thy court, nor hold thee for king, but we will hate thee with great
+strength, and all thine heathen friends with harm greet. Be Christ
+now, that is God's son, our help!" Forth went the earls, forth went
+the lords, forth went the bishops, and the book-learned men, forth
+went the thanes, forth went the swains, all the Britons, until they
+came to London.
+
+There was many a noble Briton at the husting, and the king's three
+sons they all were come thither; there was Vortimer, Pascent, and
+Catiger, and very many others, that came with the brothers; all the
+folk came thither, that loved the Christendom. And all the rich men
+betook them to counsel, and took the king's eldest son, who was come
+to the husting, and with mickle song of praise elevated him to be
+king. Then was Vortimer Christian king there, and Vortiger, his
+father, followed the heathens. All thus it happened, as the counsel
+was done.
+
+And Vortimer, the young king, was most keen through all things; he
+sent Hengest and Hors his brother, unless speedily they departed from
+this realm, he would evil do to them, both blind and hang them; and
+his own father he would destroy, and all the heathens, with great
+strength. Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Here we will
+dwell winter and summer, ride and run with the King Vortiger; and all
+that with Vortimer go, they shall have sorrow and care!" Vortimer
+heard that--he was wise and most wary--and caused a host to be
+assembled over all this land, that all the Christian folk should come
+to his court. Vortimer, the young king, in London held his husting;
+the king ordered each man that loved the Christendom, that they all
+should hate the heathens, and bring the heads of them to Vortimer the
+king, and have twelve pennies for reward, for his good deed. Vortimer
+the young marched out of London, and Pascent, his brother, and
+Catiger, the other; to them was come word, that Hengest lay at
+Epiford, upon the water that men name Darwent. There came together
+sixty thousand men; on one half was Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger,
+and all the folk that loved our Lord; on the other half were chiefs
+with Vortiger the king, Hengest and his brother, and many thousand
+others. Together they came, and combated with might; there fell to the
+ground two and thirty hundred of Hengest's men; and Hors was wounded.
+Catiger came there, and with his spear ran him through, and Hors
+forth-right there wounded Catiger. And Hengest gan to flee with all
+his followers, and Vortiger the king fled forth as the wind; they flew
+forth into Kent, and Vortimer went after them; there upon the seashore
+Hengest suffered pain; there they gan to halt, and fought very long;
+five thousand there were slain, and deprived of lifeday, of Vortiger's
+men, of the heathen race.
+
+Hengest bethought him what he might do; he saw there beside a haven
+very large, many good ships there stood in the sea-flood. They saw on
+their right hand an island exceeding fair, it is called Thanet;
+thitherward they were brisk; there the Saxish men sought the sea, and
+anon gan pass into the island. And the Britons followed after them,
+with many kind of crafts, and surrounded them on each side; with ships
+and with boats they gan to smite and shoot. Oft was Hengest woe, and
+never worse than then; unless he did other counsel he should there be
+dead. He took a spear-shaft, that was long and very tough, and put on
+the end a fair mantle, and called to the Britons, and bade them abide;
+he would speak with them, and yearn the king's grace, and send
+Vortiger with peace to the land, to make this agreement that he might
+depart without more shame into Saxland.
+
+The Britons went to the land, to Vortimer their king, and Hengest
+spake with Vortiger, in most secret converse. Vortiger went on the
+land, and bare a wand in his hand. The while that they spake of peace
+the Saxons leapt into their ships, and drew up high their sails to the
+top, and proceeded with weather in the wild sea, and left in this land
+their wives and their children, and Vortiger the king, who loved them
+through all things. With much grief of mind Vortiger gan away fare; so
+long they proceeded, that in Saxland they were (arrived). Then were in
+Britain the Britons most bold; they assumed to them mickle mood, and
+did all that seemed good to them; and Vortimer, the young king, was
+doughty man through all things. And Vortiger, his father, proceeded
+over this Britain, but it was no man so poor, that did not revile him,
+and so he gan to wander full five years. And his son Vortimer dwelt
+here powerful king, and all this nation loved him greatly. He was mild
+to each man, and taught the folk God's law, the young and the old, how
+they should hold Christendom.
+
+He sent letters to Rome, to the excellent Pope, who was named Saint
+Romain—-all Christendom he made glad.--He took two bishops, holy men
+they were both, Germain and Louis, of Auxerre and of Troyes; they
+proceeded out of Rome, so that they hither came. Then was Vortimer so
+blithe as he was never ere here; he and all his knights went
+forth-right on their bare feet towards the bishops, and with much
+mirth mouths there kissed. Now mayest thou hear of the King Vortimer,
+how he spake with Saint Germain,—-for their coming he was glad.
+"Listen to me, lordings, I am king of this people; I hight Vortimer,
+my brother hight Catiger; and Vortiger hight our father—-miscounsel
+followeth him! He hath brought into this land heathen people; but we
+have put them to flight, as our full foes, and felled with weapon many
+thousands of them, and sent them over sea-stream, so that they never
+shall come again. And we shall in land worship our Lord, comfort God's
+folk, and friendly it maintain, and be mild to the land-tillers;
+churches we shall honour, and heathendom hate. Each good man shall
+have his right, if God it will grant, and each thral and each slave be
+set free. And here I give to you in hand each church-land all free;
+and I forgive to each widow her lord's testament, and each shall love
+other as though they were brothers. And thus we shall in our day put
+down Hengest's laws, and him and his heathendom that he hither
+brought, and deceived my father through his treacherous crafts;
+through his daughter Rowenne he betrayed my father. And my father so
+evilly began, that he shunned the Christendom, and loved the heathen
+laws too much, which we shall avoid the while that we live."
+
+Then answered Saint Germain—-for such words he was glad:—-"I thank my
+Lord, who shaped the daylight, that he such mercy sent to mankind!"
+These bishops proceeded over this land, and set it all in God's hand,
+and the Christendom they righted, and the folk thereto instructed; and
+then soon thereafter they departed to Rome, and said to the Pope, who
+was named Romain, how they had done here, restored the Christendom.
+And thus it stood a time in the same wise.
+
+Go we yet to Vortiger--of all kings be he most wretched!--he loved
+Rowenne, of the heathen race, Hengest's daughter, she seemed to him
+well soft. Rowenne bethought her what she might do, how she might
+avenge her father and her friends' death. Oft she sent messengers to
+Vortimer the king; she sent him treasures of many a kind, of silver
+and of gold, the best of any land; she asked his favour, that she
+might here dwell with Vortiger his father, and follow his counsels.
+The king for his father's request granted to her her prayer, except
+that she should do well, and love the Christendom; all that the king
+yearned, all she it granted. But alas! that Vortimer was not aware of
+her thought; alas! that the good king of her thought knew nothing;
+that he knew not the treachery that the wicked woman thought!
+
+It befell on a time she betook her to counsel, that she would go to
+the King Vortimer, and do by his counsel all her need, and at what
+time she might do well, and receive the Christendom. Forth she gan
+ride to Vortimer the king; when she him met, fair she greeted him:
+"Hail be thou, lord king, Britain's darling! I am come to thee;
+Christendom I will receive, on the same day that thou thyself deemest
+fit."
+
+Then was Vortimer the king blithe through all things; he weened that
+it were sooth what the wretch said. Trumpets there blew, bliss was in
+the court; forth men brought the water before the king; they sate then
+at the board with much bliss. When the king had eaten, then went the
+thanes-men to meat; in hall they drank; harps there resounded. The
+treacherous Rowenne went to a tun, wherein was placed the king's
+dearest wine. She took in hand a bowl of red gold, and she gan to pour
+out on the king's bench. When she saw her time, she filled her vessel
+with wine, and before all the company she went to the king, and thus
+the treacherous woman hailed him (drank his health): "Lord king,
+wassail, for thee I am most joyful!" Hearken now the great treachery
+of the wicked woman, how she gan there betray the King Vortimer! The
+king received her fair, to his own destruction. Vortimer spake
+British, and Rowenne Saxish; to the king it seemed game enow, for her
+speech he laughed. Hearken how she took on, this deceitful woman! In
+her bosom she bare, beneath her teats, a golden phial filled with
+poison; and the wicked Rowenne drank (or drenched) the bowl, until she
+had half done, after the king's will. The while that the king laughed,
+she drew out the phial; the bowl she set to her chin, the poison she
+poured in the wine, and afterwards she delivered the cup to the king;
+the king drank all the wine, and the poison therein. The day forth
+passed, bliss was in the court, for Vortimer the good king of the
+treachery knew nothing, for he saw Rowenne hold the bowl, and drink
+half of the same wine that she had put therein. When it came to the
+night, then separated the courtiers; and the evil Rowenne went to her
+inn, and all her knights with her forth-right. Then ordered she her
+swains, and eke the thanes all, that they in haste their horse should
+saddle; and they most still to steal out of the burgh, and proceed all
+by night to Thwongchester forth-right, and there most fast to inclose
+them in a castle, and lie to Vortiger, that his son would besiege him.
+And Vortiger the false king believed the leasing.
+
+Now understood Vortimer, his son, that he had taken poison; might no
+leechcraft help him any whit. He took many messengers, and sent over
+his land, and bade all his knights to come to him forth-right. When
+the folk was arrived, then was the king exceeding ill; then asked the
+king their peace, and thus he spake with them all: "Of all knights are
+ye best that serve any king; there is of me no other hap, but that
+speedily I be dead. Here I deliver you my land, all my silver and all
+my gold, and all my treasures--your worship is the greater. And ye
+forth-right send after knights, and give them silver and gold, and
+hold ye yourselves your land, and avenge you, if ye can, of Saxish
+men; for when as I be departed, Hengest will make care to you. And
+take ye my body, and lay in a chest, and carry me to the sea strand,
+where Saxish men will come on land; anon as they know me there, away
+they will go; neither alive nor dead dare they abide me!"
+
+Among all this discourse the good king died; there was weeping, there
+was lament, and piteous cries! They took the king's body, and carried
+to London, and beside Belyns-gate buried him fair; and carried him no
+whit as the king ordered. Thus lived Vortimer, and thus he ended
+there.
+
+Then the Britons fell into evil counsel; they took Vortiger anon, and
+delivered him all this kingdom; there was a well rueful thing, now was
+eft Vortiger king! Vortiger took his messengers, and sent to Saxland,
+and greeted well Hengest, fairest of all knights, and bade him in
+haste to come to this land, and with him should bring here a hundred
+riders. "For that know thou through all things, that dead is Vortimer
+the king, and safe thou mayest hither come, for dead is Vortimer my
+son. It is no need for thee to bring with thee much folk, least our
+Britons eft be angry, so that sorrow eft come between you."
+
+Hengest assembled a host of many kind of land, so that he had to wit
+seven hundred ships, and each ship he filled with three hundred
+knights; in the Thames at London Hengest came to land. The tidings
+came full soon to Vortiger the king, that Hengest was in haven with
+seven hundred ships. Oft was Vortiger woe, but never worse than then,
+and the Britons were sorry, and sorrowful in heart; they knew not in
+the worlds-realm counsel that were to them pleasing. Hengest was of
+evil ware--that he well showed there--he took soon his messengers, and
+sent to the king, and greeted Vortiger the king with words most fair,
+and said that he was come as a father should to his son; with peace
+and with friendship he would dwell in amity; peace he would love, and
+wrong he would shun; peace he would have, peace he would hold; and all
+this nation he would love, and love Vortiger the king through all
+things. But he had brought, in this land, out of Saxland, seven
+hundred ships of heathen folk, "who are the bravest of all men that
+dwell under the sun, and I will," quoth Hengest, "lead them all to the
+king, at a set day, before all his people. And the king shall arise,
+and choose of the knights two hundred knights, to lead to his fight,
+who shall guard the king preciously through all things. And afterwards
+the others shall depart to their land, with peace and with amity,
+again to Saxland; and I will remain with the best of all men, that is
+Vortiger the king, whom I love through all things." The tidings came
+to the Britons how Hengest them promised; then were they fain for his
+fair words, and set they peace and set amity to such a time that the
+king on a day would see this folk. Hengest heard that, fairest of all
+knights; then was he so blithe as he was never ere in life, for he
+thought to deceive the king in his realm. Here became Hengest
+wickedest of knights; so is every man that deceiveth one, who benefits
+him. Who would ween, in this worlds-realm, that Hengest thought to
+deceive the king who had his daughter! For there is never any man,
+that men may not over-reach with treachery. They took an appointed
+day, that these people should come them together with concord and with
+peace, in a plain that was pleasant beside Ambresbury; the place was
+Aelenge, now hight it Stonehenge. There Hengest the traitor either by
+word or by writ made known to the king, that he would come with his
+forces, in honour of the king, but he would not bring in retinue but
+three hundred knights, the wisest men of all that he might find. And
+the king should bring as many on his side bold thanes, and who should
+be the wisest of all that dwelt in Britain, with their good vestments,
+all without weapons, that no evil should happen to them, through
+confidence of the weapons. Thus they it spake, and eft they it brake,
+for Hengest the traitor thus gan he teach his comrades, that each
+should take a long saex (knife), and lay by his shank, within his
+hose, where he it might hide. When they came together, the Saxons and
+Britons, then quoth Hengest, most deceitful of all knights: "Hail be
+thou, lord king, each is to thee thy subject! If ever any of thy men
+hath weapon by his side, send it with friendship far from ourselves,
+and be we in amity, and speak we of concord; how we may with peace our
+lives live." Thus the wicked man spake there to the Britons. Then
+answered Vortiger--here he was too unwary—-"If here is any knight so
+wild, that hath weapon by his side, he shall lose the hand through his
+own brand, unless he soon send it hence." Their weapons they sent
+away, then had they nought in hand;—-knights went upward, knights went
+downward, each spake with other as if he were his brother.
+
+When the Britons were mingled with the Saxons, then called Hengest, of
+knights most treacherous, "Take your saexes, my good warriors, and
+bravely bestir you, and spare ye none!" Noble Britons were there, but
+they knew not of the speech, what the Saxish men said them between.
+They drew out the saexes, all aside; they smote on the right side,
+they smote on the left side, before and behind they laid them to the
+ground, all they slew that they came nigh; of the king's men there
+fell four hundred and five—-woe was the king alive! Then Hengest
+grasped him with his grim gripe, and drew him to him by the mantle, so
+that the strings brake. And the Saxons set on him, and would the king
+kill, and Hengest gan him defend, and would not suffer it; but he held
+him full fast, the while the fight lasted. There was many noble Briton
+bereaved of the life! Some they fled quickly over the broad plain, and
+defended them with stones, for weapons had they none. There was fight
+exceeding hard, there fell many a good knight! There was a bold churl
+of Salisbury come, he bare on his back a great strong club.
+
+Then was there a noble earl, named Aldolf, knight with the best, he
+possessed Gloucester, he leapt to the churl, as if it were a lion, and
+took from him the club, that he bare on his back; whomsoever he smote
+therewith, there forth-right he died; before and behind he laid them
+to the ground. Three and fifty there he slew and afterwards drew
+towards a steed, he leapt upon the steed, and quickly gan him ride, he
+rode to Gloucester, and the gates locked full fast. And anon
+forth-right caused his knights to arm, and marched over all the land,
+and took what they found, they took cattle, they took corn, and all
+that they found alive, and brought to the burgh with great bliss; the
+gates they closed fast, and well them guarded.
+
+Let we it thus stand, and speak we of the king. The Saxons leapt
+towards him, and would kill the king, but Hengest called forth-right,
+"Stop, my knights, ye shall him not destroy; for us he hath had much
+care, and he hath for queen my daughter who is fair. But all his
+burghs he shall deliver to us, if he will enjoy his life, or else is
+sorrow given to him." Then was Vortiger fast bound, gyves exceeding
+great they put on his feet, he might not ever bite meat, nor speak
+with any friend, ere he had to them sworn upon relic that was choice,
+that he would deliver them all this kingdom, in hand, burghs and
+castles, and all his kingdoms. And all so he did, as it was deemed.
+And Hengest took in his hand all this rich kingdom, and divided among
+his people much of this land. He gave an earl all Kent, as it lay by
+London, he gave his steward Essex, and on his chamberlain he bestowed
+Middlesex. The knights received it, and a while they held it, the
+while Vortiger proceeded over this land, and delivered to Hengest his
+noble burghs. And Hengest forth-right placed his knights therein, the
+while much of the baser people lay in Sussex, and in Middlesex much of
+the race, and in Essex their noblest folk. The meat they carried off,
+all that they found, they violated the women, and God's law brake,
+they did in the land all that they would.
+
+The Britons saw that, that mischief was in the land, and how the
+Saxish men were come to them. The Britons shaped to the land a name
+for the shame of Saxish men, and for the treachery that they had done,
+and for that cause that they with knives bereaved them of life, then
+called they all the land East-Sex and West-Sex, and the third
+Middle-Sex. Vortiger the king gave them all this land, so that a turf
+of land did not remain to him in hand. And Vortiger himself fled over
+Severn, far into Welsh-land, and there he gan tarry, and his retinue
+with him, that poor was become. And he had in hoard treasure most
+large, he caused his men to ride wide and far, and caused to be
+summoned to him men of each kind, whosoever would yearn his fee with
+friendship. That heard the Britons, that heard the Scots, they came to
+him riding, thereafter full soon; on each side thither they gan ride,
+many a noble man's son, for gold and for treasure. When he had
+together sixty thousand men, then assembled he the nobles that well
+could advise: "Good men, say me counsel, for to me is great need,
+where I might in wilderness work a castle, wherein I might live with
+my men, and hold it against Hengest with great strength, until that I
+might the better win my burghs, and avenge me of my enemies who felled
+my friends, and have all my kingdom wrested out of my hand, and thus
+driven me out, my full foes?" Then answered a wise man, who well could
+counsel: "Listen now to me, lord king, and I will show to thee a good
+thing; upon the mount of Reir I will advise, that thou work a castle
+with strong stone wall, for there thou mightest dwell, and live with
+joy; and yet thou hast in thy hand much silver and gold, to maintain
+thy people who shall thee help, and so thou mightest in life live best
+of all." Then answered the king: "Let it be made known in haste, over
+my numerous host, that I will go to the mount of Reir, and rear there
+a castle."
+
+Forth went the king, and the host with him; when they thither came, a
+dyke they began soon; horns there blew, machines hewed; lime they gan
+to burn, and over the land to run, and all west Welsh-land set in
+Vortiger's hand; all they it took, that they nigh came. When the dyke
+was dug, and thoroughly deepened, then began they a wall on the dyke
+over all, and they laid together lime and stone; of machines there was
+plenty—-five-and-twenty hundred! In the day they laid the wall, in the
+night it fell over all, in the morrow they reared it, in the night it
+gan to tumble! Full a se'nnight so it them served, each day they
+raised it, and each night it gan fall! Then was the king sorry, and
+sorrowful through all things, so was all the host terribly afraid; for
+ever they looked when Hengest should come upon them.
+
+The king was full sorry, and sent after sages, after world-wise men,
+who knew wisdom, and bade them cast lots, and try incantations, try
+the truth with their powerful craft, on what account it were, that the
+wall that was so strong might not ever stand a night long. These world
+wise men there went in two parties, some they went to the wood, some
+to the cross ways; they gan to cast lots with their incantations, full
+three nights their crafts there they practised, they might never find,
+through never anything, on what account it were, that the wall that
+was so strong every night fell down, and the king lost his labour. But
+there was one sage, he was named Joram, he said that he it found--but
+it seemed leasing--he said that if men found in ever any land, ever
+any male child, that never had father, and opened his breast, and took
+of his blood, and mingled with the lime, and laid in the wall, that
+then might it stand to the world's end. The word came to the king, of
+the leasing, and he it believed, though it were false. Soon he took
+his messengers, and sent over all the land, so far as they for care
+(fear) of death durst anyways fare, and in each town hearkened the
+rumours, where they might find speak of such a child.
+
+These knights forth proceeded wide over the land; two of the number
+went a way that lay right west, that lay forth-right in where now
+Caermarthen is. Beside the burgh, in a broad way, all the burgh-lads
+had a great play. These knights were weary, and in heart exceeding
+sorry, and sate down by the play, and beheld these lads. After a
+little time they began striving--as it was ever custom among
+children's play,—-the one smote the other, and he these blows
+suffered. Then was exceeding wrath Dinabuz toward Merlin, and thus
+quoth Dinabuz, who had the blow: "Merlin, wicked man, why hast thou
+thus done to me? Thou hast done me much shame, therefore thou shalt
+have grief. I am a king's son, and thou art born of nought; thou
+oughtest not in any spot to have free man's abode, for so was all the
+adventure, thy mother was a whore, for she knew not ever the man that
+begat thee on her, nor haddest thou any father among mankind. And thou
+in our land makest us to be shamed, thou art among us come, and art
+son of no man; thou shalt therefore in this day suffer death." The
+knights heard this, where they were aside; they arose up, and went
+near, and earnestly asked of this strange tale, that they heard of the
+lad.
+
+Then was in Caermarthen a reve that hight Eli; the knights quickly
+came to the reve, and thus to him said soon with mouth:
+
+"We are here-right Vortiger's knights, and have found here a young lad
+he is named Merlin, we know no whit his kin. Take him in haste, and
+send him to the king, as thou wilt live, and thy limbs have, and his
+mother with him, who bore him to be man. If thou this wilt do, the
+king will receive them, and if thou carest it not, therefore thou wilt
+be driven out, and this burgh all consumed, this folk all destroyed."
+Then answered Eli, the reve of Caermarthen "Well I wot, that all this
+land stands in Vortiger's hand, and we are all his men--his honour is
+the more!--and we shall do this gladly, and perform his will." Forth
+went the reve, and the burghers his associates, and found Merlin, and
+his playfellows with him Merlin they took, and his companions laughed,
+when that Merlin was led away, then was Dinabuz full glad, he weened
+that he were led away for to lose his limbs, but all another way set
+the doom, ere it were all done.
+
+Now was Merlin's mother strangely become in a noble minster a hooded
+nun. Thither went Eli, the reve of Caermarthen, and took him the good
+lady, where she lay in the minster, and forth gan him run to the King
+Vortiger, and much folk with him, and led the nun and Merlin. The word
+(tidings) was soon made known to the King Vortiger's mouth, that Eli
+was come, and had brought the lady, and that Merlin her son was with
+her there come. Then was Vortiger blithe in life, and received the
+lady, with looks most fair and honour promised, and Merlin he
+delivered to twelve good knights, who were faithful to the king, and
+him should guard. Then said the King Vortiger, with the nun he spake
+there: "Good lady, say to me--well it shall be to thee--where wert
+thou born, who begat thee to be child?" Then answered the nun, and
+named her father:--"The third part of all this land stood in my
+father's hand, of the land he was king, known it was wide, he was
+named Conaan, lord of knights." Then answered the king, as if she were
+of his kin: "Lady, say thou it to me--well it shall be to thee--here
+is Merlin thy son, who begat him? Who was held for father to him among
+the folk?" Then hung she her head, and bent toward her breast; by the
+king she sate full softly, and thought a little while, after a while
+she spake, and said to the king: "King, I will tell thee marvellous
+stories. My father Conaan the king loved me through all things, then
+became I in stature wondrously fair. When I was fifteen years of age,
+then dwelt I in bower, in my mansion, my maidens with me, wondrously
+fair. And when I was in bed in slumber, with my soft sleep, then came
+before me the fairest thing that ever was born, as if it were a tall
+knight, arrayed all of gold. This I saw in dream each night in sleep.
+This thing glided before me, and glistened of gold, oft it me kissed,
+and oft it me embraced, oft it approached me, and oft it came to me
+very nigh; when I at length looked to myself--strange this seemed to
+me—-my meat to me was loathsome, my limbs unusual, strange it seemed
+to me, what it might be! Then perceived I at the end that I was with
+child, when my time came, this boy I had. I know not in this world
+what his father were, nor who begat him in this worlds-realm, nor
+whether it were evil thing, or on God's behalf dight. Alas! as I pray
+for mercy, I know not any more to say to thee of my son, how he is
+come to the world." The nun bowed her head down, and covered her
+features.
+
+The king bethought him what he might do, and drew to him good
+councillors to counsel, and they said him counsel with the best, that
+he should send for Magan, who was a marvellous man. —-He was a wise
+clerk, and knew of many crafts; he would advise well, he could far
+direct, he knew of the craft that dwelleth in the sky (astronomy), he
+could tell of each history (or language). Magan came to court where
+the king dwelt, and greeted the king with goodly words: "Hail be thou
+and sound, Vortiger the king! I am come to thee, show me thy will."
+Then answered the king, and told the clerk all, how the nun had said,
+and asked him thereof counsel, from the beginning to the end, all he
+him told. Then said Magan: "I know full well hereon. There dwell in
+the sky many kind of beings, that there shall remain until domesday
+arrive; some they are good, and some they work evil. Therein is a race
+very numerous, that cometh among men; they are named full truly Incubi
+Daemones; they do not much harm, but deceive the folk; many a man in
+dream oft they delude, and many a fair woman through their craft
+childeth anon, and many a good man's child they beguile through magic.
+And thus was Merlin begat, and born of his mother, and thus it is all
+transacted," quoth the clerk Magan.
+
+Then said Merlin to the king himself: "King, thy men have taken me,
+and I am to thee come, and I would learn what is thy will, and for
+what thing I am brought to the king?" Then said the king with quick
+speech: "Merlin, thou art hither come; thou art son of no man! Much
+thou longest after loath speech; learn thou wilt the adventure--now
+thou shalt hear it. I have begun a work with great strength, that hath
+my treasure well much taken away; five thousand men work each day
+thereon. And I have lime and stone, in the world is none better, nor
+in any land workmen so good. All that they lay in the day--in sooth I
+may say it--ere day in the morrow all it is down; each stone from the
+other felled to the ground! Now say my wise and my sage men, that if I
+take thy blood, out of thy breast, and work my will, and put to my
+lime, then may it stand to the world's end. Now thou knowest it all,
+how it shall be to thee." Merlin heard this, and angered in his mood,
+and said these words, though he were wrath: "God himself, who is lord
+of men, will it never, that the castle should stand for my heart's
+blood, nor ever thy stone wall lie still. For all thy sages are
+exceeding deceitful, they say leasings before thyself--that thou shalt
+find in this day's space. For Joram said this, who is my full foe; the
+tidings seem to me sport, I was shapen to his bane! Let Joram thy sage
+come before thee, and all his companions, forth-right here, who told
+these leasings to the king, and if I say thee my sooth words of thy
+wall, and why it down falleth, and with sooth it prove, that their
+tales are leasing, give me their heads, if I thy work heal." Then
+answered the king with quick voice: "So help me my hand, this covenant
+I hold thee!"
+
+To the king was brought Joram the sage, and seven of his companions--
+all they were fated to die! Merlin angered, and he spake wrathly:--
+"Say me, Joram, traitor--loathsome to me in heart--why falleth this
+wall to the ground, say me why it happeneth that the wall falleth,
+what men may find at the dyke's bottom?" Joram was still, he could not
+tell. Then said Merlin these words: "King, hold to me covenant! Cause
+this dyke to be dug anon seven feet deeper than it is now; they shall
+find a stone wondrously fair, it is fair and broad, for folk to
+behold." The dyke was dug seven feet deeper, then they found anon
+there-right the stone. Then said Merlin these words: "King, hold to me
+covenant! Say to me, Joram, man to me most hateful, and say to this
+king what kind of thing hath taken station under this stone?" Joram
+was still; he could not tell.
+
+Then said Merlin a wonder: "A water here is under; do away this stone,
+the water ye shall find anon." They did away the stone before the king
+anon, the water they found anon. Then said Merlin: "Ask me Joram, who
+is my full foe, after a while, to say thee of the bottom, what
+dwelleth in the water, winter and summer." The king asked Joram, but
+he knew nought thereof. The yet said Merlin these words: "King, hold
+to me covenant! Cause this water to be carried off, and away cast;
+there dwell at the bottom two strong dragons; the one is on the north
+side, the other on the south side, the one is milk-white, to each
+beast unlike, the other as red as blood, boldest of all worms! Each
+midnight they begin to fight, and through their fight thy works fell,
+the earth began to sink, and thy wall to tumble; and through such
+wonder thy wall is fallen, that happened in this flood, and not for my
+blood." This water was all carried off; the king's men were glad,
+great was the bliss before the monarch, and soon there-after they were
+sorry; ere the day came to an end, strange tidings they heard.
+
+When the water was all carried off, and the pit was empty, then came
+out these two dragons, and made great din, and fought fiercely down in
+the dyke. Never saw any man any loathlier fight; flames of fire flew
+from their mouths! The monarch saw this fight, their grim gestures;
+then was he astonished in this worlds-realm, what this tokening were,
+that he saw there at the bottom, and how Merlin knew it, that no other
+man knew. First was the white above, and afterwards he was beneath,
+and the red dragon wounded him to death; and either went to his hole--
+no man born saw them afterwards! Thus fared this thing that Vortiger
+the king saw. And all that were with him loved Merlin greatly; and the
+king hated Joram, and deprived him of his head, and all his seven
+comrades that with him were there.
+
+The king went to his house, and led Merlin with him, and said to him
+with much love: "Merlin, thou art welcome, and I will give thee all
+that thou desirest, of my land, of silver and of gold." He weened
+through Merlin to win all the land, but it happened all otherwise ere
+the day's end came. The king thus asked his dear friend Merlin, "Say
+me now, Merlin, man to me dearest, what betoken the dragons that made
+the din, and the stone, and the water, and the wondrous fight? Say me,
+if thy will is, what betokeneth all this? And afterwards thou must
+counsel me how I shall guide me, and how I may win my kingdom from
+Hengest, my wife's father, who hath harmed me greatly." Then answered
+Merlin to the king that spake with him: "King, thou art unwise, and
+foolish in counsel, thou askest of the dragons that made the din, and
+what betokened their fight, and their fierce assaults? They betoken
+kings that yet are to come, and their fight, and their adventure, and
+their fated folk! But if thou wert so wise a man, and so prudent in
+thought, that thou haddest inquired of me of thy many sorrows, thy
+great care, that is to come to thee, I would say to thee of thy
+sorrow." Then quoth Vortiger the king: "Dear friend Merlin, say me of
+the things that are to come to me." "Blithely," quoth Merlin, with
+bold voice, "I will say to thee; but ever it will thee rue. King,
+king, be-see thee (see to thyself), sorrow is to thee given of
+Constantine's kin!--his son thou killedest; thou causedest Constance
+to be slain, who was king in this land; thou causedst thy Peohtes to
+betray (or destroy) him basely; therefore thou shalt suffer sorrows
+most of all! Afterwards thou drewest upon thee foreign people, the
+Saxons to this land, therefore thou shalt be destroyed! Now are the
+barons of Britain arrived; it is, Aurelie and Uther--now thou art
+thereof aware;--they shall come to-morrow, full truly, in this land at
+Totnes, I do thee well to wit, with seven hundred ships; and now they
+sail speedily in the sea. Thou hast much evil done to them, and now
+thou must the harm receive; thou hast on both sides bane that to thee
+shall seem; for now thy foes are before thee, and thy enemies behind.
+But flee, flee thy way, and save thy life--and flee whither that thou
+fleest, they will pursue after thee! Ambrosie Aurelie he shall have
+first this kingdom; but he through draught of poison shall suffer
+death. And afterwards shall Uther Pendragon have this kingdom; but thy
+kin shall kill him with poison; but ere he suffer death, he shall din
+(contest) make. Uther shall have a son, out of Cornwall he shall come,
+that shall be a wild boar, bristled with steel; the boar shall consume
+the noble burghs; he shall destroy (or devour) all the traitors with
+authority; he shall kill with death all thy rich kindred; he shall be
+man most brave, and noble in thought; hence into Rome this same shall
+rule; all his foes he shall fell to the ground. Sooth I have said to
+thee, but it is not to thee the softer;—-but flee with thine host, thy
+foes come to thee to thy court!" Then Merlin the wise ceased his
+words, and the king caused thirteen trumpets to be blown, and marched
+forth with his army exceeding quickly. There was not forth-right but
+space of one night, that the brothers came, both together, to the
+sea-strand full truly, at Dartmouth in Totnes.
+
+The Britons heard this, and were full surely blithe; they drew
+themselves out of the woods, and out of the wilderness, by sixty, and
+by sixty, and by seven hundred, by thirty, and by thirty, and by many
+thousands—-when they came together, full good it seemed to them! And
+the brothers brought to this land a numerous host, and here came
+before them these bold Britons, a numerous folk, who would it all
+avenge, that ere were over the woods wondrously scattered, through the
+mickle dread, and through the great misery, and through the mickle
+harm that Hengest wrought them, and who had murdered all their chief
+men with knives, with axes cut in pieces the good thanes! The Britons
+held husting with great wisdom; they took anon Aurelie, the elder
+brother, in the noble husting, and raised him to be king. Then were
+the Britons filled with bliss, blithe in mood who ere were mournful.
+These tidings came to Vortiger the king, that Aurelie was chosen and
+raised to be king. Then was Vortiger woe, and eft to him was worse!
+Vortiger proceeded far to a castle, named Genoure, upon a high mount;
+Cloard hight the mount, and Hergin hight the land, near the Wye, that
+is a fair water (stream). Vortiger's men took all that they came nigh;
+they took weapons and meat, on many a wise; to the castle they brought
+as much as they cared for, so that they had enow, though it little
+helped them. Aurehe and Uther were aware of Vortiger, where he was
+upon Cloard, inclosed in a castle. They caused trumpets to be blown,
+their host to be assembled--a numerous folk of many a land--they
+marched to Genoure, where Vortiger lay. A king was within, a king was
+without; knights there fought with fierce encounters; every good man
+made himself ready. When they saw that they had not the victory, then
+a wondrous great force went to the wood; they felled the wood down,
+and drew to the castle, and filled all the dyke that was wondrously
+deep. And fire they sent in, on every side, and called to Vortiger:
+"Now thou shalt warm thee there, for thou slewest Constance, who was
+king of this land, and afterwards Constantine his son. Now is Aurelie
+come, and Uther his brother, who send thee bale!" The wind wafted the
+fire, so that it burnt wonderfully; the castle gan to burn, the
+chambers there were consumed; the halls fell to the ground. Might no
+man there against the fire make fight; the fire went over all, and
+burnt house, and burnt wall; and the King Vortiger therein he gan to
+burn; all it was consumed that therein dwelt! Thus ended there, with
+mickle harm, Vortiger!
+
+Then Aurelie had all the land in his hand. There was the strong earl,
+named Aldolf, he was of Gloucester, of all knights skilfullest; there
+in the land Aurehe made him his steward. Then had Aurelie, and Uther
+his brother, felled their foes, and were therefore the blither!
+Hengest heard this, strongest of all knights; then was he afraid
+exceeding greatly. He marched his host, and fled toward the Scots, and
+Aurelie the king went after him in haste. And Hengest thought that he
+would, with all his army, if men pursued him, flee into Scotland, so
+that he might thence with guile escape, if he might not for Aurelie
+remain in the land. Aurelie marched forth, and led his host right
+north, with all his might, full a se'nnight. The Britons were bold,
+and proceeded over the weald. Then had Aurelie a numerous force; he
+found ravaged land, the people slain, and all the churches burnt, and
+the Britons consumed. Then said Aurelie the king, Britain's darling:
+"If I might abide, that I should back ride; and if the Lord it will,
+who shaped the daylight, that I might in safety obtain my right (or
+country), churches I will arear, and God I will worship. I will give
+to each man his right, and to every person, the old and the young, I
+will be gracious, if God will grant to me my land to win!"
+
+Tidings came to Hengest of Aurelie the king, that he brought an army
+of innumerable folk. Then spake Hengest, most treacherous of all
+knights: "Hearken now, my men--honour to you is given--here cometh
+Aurelie, and Uther eke, his brother; they bring very much folk, but
+all they are fated! For the king is unwise, so are his knights, and a
+knave is his brother, the one as the other; therefore may Britons be
+much the un-bolder, when the head (leader) is bad, the heap
+(multitude) is the worse. And well ye may it remember, what I will
+say; better are fifty of us, than of them five hundred--that they many
+times have found, since they in land sought the people. For known it
+is wide, of our bold feats, that we are chosen warriors with the best!
+We shall against them stand, and drive them from land, and possess
+this realm after our will." Thus bold Hengest, fairest of all knights,
+emboldened his host, where he was in field, but otherwise it was
+disposed ere came the day a se'nnight. Forth came the tidings to
+Aurelie the king, where Hengest abode upon a mount.
+
+Aurelie had for companions thirty thousand riders, bold Britons, who
+made their threat; and eke he had Welsh, wondrously many. Then caused
+he his knights to be ever weaponed, day and night, as if they should
+go to battle; for ever he had care of the heathen folk. And Aurelie
+with his host marched quickly towards him. When Hengest heard that
+Aurelie was near, he took his army, and marched against him. When
+Aurelie was aware that Hengest would come there, he went into a field,
+well weaponed under shield; he took forth-right ten thousand knights,
+that were the best born and chosen of his force, and set them in the
+field, on foot under shield. Ten thousand Welsh he sent to the wood;
+ten thousand Scots he sent aside, to meet the heathens by ways and by
+streets; himself he took his earls and his good warriors, and his
+faithfullest men, that he had in hand, and made his shield-troop, as
+it were a wild wood; five thousand there rode, who should all this
+folk well defend. Then called Aldolf, Earl of Gloucester, "If the
+Lord, that ruleth all dooms, grant it to me, that I might abide, that
+Hengest should come riding, who has in this land so long remained, and
+betrayed my dear friends with his long axes beside Ambresbury, with
+miserable death! But if I might of the earl win to me the country;
+then might I say my sooth words, that God himself had granted good to
+me, if I might fell my foes to ground anon, and avenge my dear
+kindred, whom they have laid adown!"
+
+Scarcely was this speech said to the end, that they saw Hengest
+approach over the down. With a numerous host they fiercely marched,
+together soon they came, and terribly they slew, there the stern men
+together rushed themselves, helms there gan resound, knights there
+fell, steel went against the bones, mischief there was rife; streams
+of blood flowed in the ways; the fields were dyed, and the grass
+changed colour! When Hengest saw that his help failed him, then
+withdrew he from the fight, and fled aside, and his folk after
+speedily moved. The Christians pursued after, and laid on them, and
+called Christ, God's son, to be to them in aid; and the heathen people
+also called loud, "Our God Tervagant, why failest thou us now?" When
+Hengest saw the heathens recede, and the Christian men come upon them,
+then fled Hengest through and through, until he came to Coningsburgh;
+in the burgh he went, safety to obtain. And the King Aurelie went
+after him anon, and called to his people with loud voice: "Run ever
+forth and forth! Hengest is gone northwards!" And they pursued after
+him until they came to the burgh. When Hengest and his son saw all the
+host come after them, then said Hengest, of all knights wrathest,
+"Will I no more flee, but now I will fight, and my son Octa, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa! And all my army, stir ye your weapons, and march
+we against them, and make we strong slaughter! And if we fell them
+not, then be we dead, laid on the field, and deprived of friends!"
+Hengest marched on the weald, and left all his tents; and made his
+shield troop all of his heathen men. Then came Aurelie the king, and
+many thousands with him, and began there another fight, that was
+exceeding strong; there was many great stroke dealt in the combat!
+There were the Christians well nigh overcome. Then approached there
+five thousand riders, that Aurelie had on horse to fight; they smote
+on the heathens, so that they down fell; there was fight most strong,
+combat full stern!
+
+In the fight came the Earl Aldolf of Gloucester, and found Hengest,
+wickedest of knights, where he fought fiercely, and felled the
+Christians. Aldolf drew his good sword, and upon Hengest smote; and
+Hengest cast the shield before him, and else were his life destroyed;
+and Aldolf smote on the shield, so that it was shivered in two. And
+Hengest leapt to him, as if it were a lion, and smote upon Aldolf's
+helm, so that it parted in two. Then hewed they with swords—-the
+strokes were grim—-fire flew from the steel, oft and well frequent!
+After a time, then leapt Aldolf to the ground, and saw by him Gorlois,
+who was a keen man full truly; of Cornwall he was earl, he was widely
+known. Then was the baron Aldolf much the bolder, and heaved high his
+sword, and let it down swing, and smote Hengest on the hand, so that
+he let go his good brand; and in haste grasped him, with his grim
+looks, by the cuirasses hood that was on his head, and with great
+strength struck him down; and then he him up drew, as if he would
+crush him, and with arms embraced him, and forth him led. Now was
+Hengest taken, through Aldolf, the brave man! Then called Aldolf, the
+Earl of Gloucester: "Hengest, it is not so merry for thee now as it
+was whilom by Ambresbury, where thou drewest the axes, and slew the
+Britons, with much treachery thou slewest my kindred! Now thou shalt
+pay retribution, and lose thy friends; with cruel death perish in the
+world!" Hengest proceeded still (without speaking); he saw no help;
+Aldolf led him to his sovereign, and greeted the sovereign with loving
+words: "Hail be thou, Aurelie, of noble race! Here I bring before thee
+Hengest, the heathen, who was thy kindred's bane, who hath sought to
+us harm; God granted it to me, that I have him grasped! Now I give him
+to thee, for dearest of men art thou to me; and let thy attendants
+play with this hound, shoot with their arrows, and his race anon
+destroy!" Then answered the king with quick voice: "Blessed be thou,
+Aldolf, noblest of all earls! Thou art to me dear as my life, thou
+shalt be chief of people!" There men took Hengest, and there men bound
+Hengest; there was then Hengest of all knights most wretched! This
+fight was overcome, and the heathens fled. Then saw Octa, that his
+father was full woe; and with Ebissa, his wed brother, joined them
+together, and fled into York, with harm enow, and made ready the
+walls, and pulled down the halls. Some of the heathens went to the
+wood, where the folk on foot laid them to ground.
+
+Then was Aurelie the king pleased well through all things; he
+proceeded into Coningsburgh, with all his folk, and thanked the Lord
+for such might. Three days and three nights the king dwelt there
+forth-right, to heal the wounds of his dear knights, and rest in the
+burgh their weary bones. When the third day came, and the folk had
+made none, then caused the king the trumpets to blow, and summoned his
+earls, that they should come to husting, to Aurelie the king. When
+they came together, the king asked them soon, what they would counsel
+him, who were his rich men, by what death Hengest should die, and how
+he might best avenge his dearest friends, who lay buried near
+Ambresbury.
+
+Then stood up Eldadus, and with the king he spake thus;—towards God he
+was good, he was a holy bishop, Aldolf the earl's brother, he had no
+other:--"Lord king, listen now to me, what I will thee tell. I will
+make the sentence, how he shall be put to death. For he is most
+hateful of men to us in the world, and hath slain our kindred, and
+deprived of life-day; and he is a heathen hound—hell he shall seek;
+there he shall sink for his treachery! Lord king, hearken to me, what
+I thee will tell. A king was in Jerusalem, who was named Saul; and in
+heathendom was a king of mickle might, who was named Agag—Jerusalem he
+hated—he was king of the Amalech—the Worse was full nigh to him! Ever
+he hated Jerusalem with harm the most; never would he give them peace,
+but ever he withstood them; he burnt them, he slew them, he did them
+sorrow enow! It fell on a time that the sun gan to shine; then sate
+Agag the king on his high chair; his fated blood was troubled, and
+urged him to march. He called his knights anon forth-right: 'Quick to
+your steeds! and forth we shall ride; we shall burn and slay all about
+Jerusalem!' Forth went the king, and a great host with him; the land
+they gan through-run, and the towns to consume. The men saw that who
+dwelt in Jerusalem; and they advanced against them, knights and
+swains, and fought with the king, and with fight him overcame, and
+slew all his folk, and Agag the king they took; and so they with him
+came to Saul the king. Then was Saul the king blithe through all
+things! The king asked counsel at his rich knights anon, which he
+might the better do to him, either slay or up hang. Then leapt up
+Samuel, a prophet of Israel;—he was a man exceeding holy, high toward
+the Lord; no man knew in those days man so high in God's law. Samuel
+took Agag the king, and led him in the market-place, and caused him
+most fast to a stake to be bound; and took with his right hand a
+precious brand; and thus called to him Samuel, the good man: 'Thou
+hightest Agag the king, now thou art in sorrow! Now thou shalt receive
+the retribution for that thou destroyedest Jerusalem, for that thou
+hast this noble burgh so greatly injured, and many a good man slain,
+and deprived of life-day! As I hope for mercy, shalt thou do so no
+more.' Samuel heaved up the sword, and strongly down struck, and cut
+the king all in pieces in Jerusalem's market, and threw the pieces
+wide over the streets. Thus Samuel took-on (acted), and so oughtest
+thou do to Hengest."
+
+Aldolf heard this, the Earl of Gloucester; toward Hengest he leapt, as
+if it were a lion, and grasped him by the head, and after him hauled
+him, and drew him through and through, and throughout all
+Coningsburgh; and without the burgh he caused him to be bound. Aldolf
+drew his sword, and smote off Hengest's head; and the king took him
+forth-right, because he was so brave a knight, and laid him in earth,
+after the heathen law, and prayed for the soul, that it never were
+happy.
+
+And now Aurelie the king caused a husting to be summoned, and caused
+trumpets to be blown, and his army to assemble--there was wondrous
+folk--and marched right to York, and inclosed Octa with his men there
+within. The king caused a dyke to be dug, all about York, that no man
+might there either go out or in. Octa saw that; therefore he was full
+woe. And his heathen folk, that he had in the burgh, they betook them
+to counsel, what they might do. And thus spake Octa with his companion
+Ebissa: "I have now bethought me, what I will do. I and my knights
+shall forth-right in our bare-breech go out of the burgh, hang on my
+neck a chain, and come to the king, praying his mercy. We all shall
+else be dead, except we follow this counsel." And, they all did so, as
+Octa them advised; put off their clothes the careful knights, and
+proceeded out of the burgh, miserable thanes, twain and twain, twenty
+hundred! Aurelie beheld this, noblest of kings, strange it seemed to
+him of the naked knights. Together came the host that lay over the
+land; they saw Octa naked come, that was Hengest's son. He bare in his
+hand a long chain; he came to the king, and before his warriors he
+fell upon the ground, and the king's feet sought; and these words then
+said Hengest's son Octa: "Mercy, my lord king, through God the mild;
+for the love of God Almighty have mercy of my knights! For all our
+heathendom is become base, our laws and our people, for loathsome we
+are to the Lord. For us has failed in hand Appolin, and Tervagant,
+Woden, and Mercurius, Jupiter, and Saturnus, Venus, and Didon, Frea,
+and Mamilon, and all our beliefs are now to us odious, but we will
+believe on thy dear Lord, for all it faileth us now in hand, that we
+worshipped. We yearn thy favour, now and evermore; if thou wilt me
+grant peace, and if thou wilt me grant amity, we will draw to thee,
+and be thy faithful men; love thy people, and hold thy laws, if thou
+wilt not that, do thy will, whetherso (whatsoever) thou wilt do, or
+slay us or up hang us."
+
+And the king was mild-hearted, and held him still; he beheld on the
+right hand, he beheld on the left hand, which of his wise men first
+would speak. They all were still, and kept silence with voice; was
+there no man so high, that durst a word utter; and ever lay Octa at
+the king's feet so; all his knights lay behind him. Then spake
+Aldadus, the good bishop, and said thus: "Ever it was, and ever it
+shall be, and yet it behoveth us, when we yearn mercy, that we should
+have mercy; worthy is he of mercy, who worthily prayeth for it. And
+thou thyself, lord king, thou art chief of the people, pardon thou
+Octa, and also his companions, if they will receive Christendom with
+good belief; for yet it may befall, in some country that they may
+fitly worship the Lord. Now stands all this kingdom in thine own hand,
+give them a place, where it shall be agreeable to thee, and take of
+them hostages, such as thou wilt require; and let them be well held in
+iron bonds; the hostages be found meat and clothes, be found all that
+to them shall belief; and then mightest thou well hold this people in
+thy land, and let them till the land, and live by their tilth. And if
+it subsequently shall befall, soon thereafter, that they fail in hand
+to hold troth, and weaken in work, and withstand thee, now I decree to
+thee the doom, what thou mayest then do. Cause men to ride to them
+exceeding quickly, and cause them all to be destroyed, slain and eke
+up hung. This I decree to thee; the Lord it hear!" Then answered the
+king, with quick voice: "All I will so do as thou hast deemed." Thus
+spake the king then: "Arise up, Octa; thou shalt quickly do well,
+receive Christendom." There was Octa baptised, and his companions
+also; and all his knights on the spot forth-right. They took their
+hostages, and gave to the king, three-and-fifty children they
+delivered to the king. And the king sent them beside Scotland; oaths
+they swore, that they would not deceive him. The king gave them in
+hand sixty hides of land, thereon they dwelt well many winters.
+
+The king was in York, good it seemed to him; he took his messengers,
+and sent over all his land, and ordered his bishops, his book-learned
+men, earls and thanes, to come towards him, to Aurelie the king, to a
+great husting. It soon came to pass, that they came together. The king
+greeted his folk with his fair words, he welcomed earls, he welcomed
+barons, and the bishops, and the book-learned men.--"I will say to you
+with sooth words, why I sent after you, and for what thing. Here I
+give to each knight his land and his right, and to every earl and
+every baron, what he may win, to possess it with joy; and each man I
+order to love peace, on his life. And I bid you all to work and build
+the churches that are fallen, to let the bells ring, to sing God's
+praise, and each with our might to worship our dear Lord; each man by
+his might to hold peace and amity, and cause the land to be tilled,
+now it is all in my hand." When this doom was all said, they all
+praised this counsel. The king gave them leave to depart thence; each
+fared homeward, as to them it best seemed.
+
+Full seven nights the king lay there still, and then he gan proceed
+into London, to gladden the burgh-folk, who oft were busy. He caused
+walls to be strengthened, he caused halls to be built, and all the
+works to be righted that ere were broken; and gave them all the laws
+that stood in their elders' days; and he made there reves, to rule the
+folk. And thence he gan proceed right to Winchester; and there he
+caused to be worked halls and churches;--there it seemed to him most
+pleasant;--and afterwards he went to Ambresbury, to the burial-place
+of his dear friends, whom Hergest with knives had murdered there. He
+caused men anon to be inquired for, who could hew stone, and eke good
+wrights, who could work with axe, he thought to work there a work
+wondrously fair, that ever should last, the while men lived! Then was
+in Caerleon a bishop, that hight Tremoriun; he was a man exceeding
+wise in the worlds-realm; with the king he was, over the weald. And
+thus Tremoriun, God's servant, spake there with the king, of a good
+thing: "Listen now to me, Aurelie, what I will make known to thee, and
+I will say to thee the best of all counsel, if thou wilt it approve,
+eft it will like to thee. We have a prophet, who is Merlin named; if
+any man might him find, upon this weald, and bring him to thee,
+through any kind of thing, and if thou his will wouldest perform, he
+would say to thee best of all counsel, how thou mightest this work
+make strong and stark, that ever might last, the while that men
+lived." Then answered the king--these words were to him agreeable:--
+"Dear friend Tremoriun, all this I will do." The king in haste sent
+his messengers over all his kingdom, and bade every man to ask after
+Merlin; and if men might him find, to bring him to the king, he would
+give him land, both silver and gold, and in the worlds-realm perform
+his will. The messengers gan to ride wide and far; some they went
+right north, and some they went forth south; some they went right
+east, and some they went right west, some they went anon, so that they
+came to Alaban, that is a fair well in Welsh land. The well he
+(Merlin) much loved, and oft therein bathed him; the knights him found
+where he sate by the strand. So soon as they him met, they greeted him
+fair; and thus said the two knights to him forth-right: "Hail be thou,
+Merlin, wisest of men! By us he who is a goodly king, named Aurelie,
+noblest of all kings, greets thee, and he beseecheth thee courteously,
+that thou come to him; and he will give land to thee, both silver and
+gold, if thou in the realm wilt counsel the king." Then answered
+Merlin, what to the knights was full woe: "I reck not of his land, his
+silver, nor his gold, nor his clothes, nor his horses; myself I have
+enow." Then sate he still a long time. These knights were afraid, that
+he would flee. When it all brake forth, it was good that he spake: "Ye
+are two knights come right here; yesterday ere noon I knew that ye
+should come, and if I so would, ye might not have found me. Ye bring
+me greeting from Aurelie the king. I knew his qualities ere he came to
+land, and I knew the other, Uther his brother; I knew both ere they
+were born, though I never saw either with eye. But alas! alas! that it
+is so ordered, that the monarch may not live long! But now will I go,
+and be your companion; to the king I will proceed, and perform his
+will."
+
+Forth went Merlin, and the knights with him, so long that they came to
+the sovereign. The good tidings came to the king; never ere in his
+life was the king so blithe, for ever any kind of man that came to
+him! The king went to his steed, and out gan him ride, and all his
+knights with him, to welcome Merlin. The king him met, and greeted him
+fair, he embraced him, he kissed him, he made him his familiar. Great
+was the mirth among the people, all for Merlin's arrival, who was son
+of no man. Alas! that in the world was no wise man that ever knew here
+whose son he were, but the Lord alone, who surveys (or explores) all
+clean! The king led to chamber Merlin who was dear; and he gan ask him
+anon with his fair words, that he should cause him to understand of
+the world's course, and of all the years that were to come, for it
+were to him greatly in will, that he thereof knew. Merlin then
+answered, and to the king said thus: "O Aurelie, the king, thou askest
+me a strange thing, look that thou no more such thing inquire. For my
+spirit truly is wrathful, that is in my breast; and if I among men
+would make boast, with gladness, with game, with goodly words, my
+spirit would wrath himself, and become still, and deprive me of my
+sense, and my wise words fore-close, then were I dumb of every
+sentence. But leave all such things," quoth Merlin to the king, "for
+whensoever need shall come to ever any people, and man will beseech me
+with mildness, and I may with my will dwell still, then may I say, how
+it afterwards shall happen. But I will counsel thee of thy nearest
+need, and say to thee right here what thou hast in heart. A plain is
+by Ambresbury, that is broad, and exceeding pleasant, there was thy
+kindred deprived of life with knives, there was many bold Briton
+betrayed to the death; and thinkest to greet the place with worship,
+and with surprising works to honour the dead, that there shall ever
+stand, to the world's end. But thou hast never any man, that knows
+aught thereon, who can make a work that never will fail. But I will
+counsel thee at such need, for I know a work with wonder encompassed,
+far the work standeth in Ireland. It is a most surprising thing, it is
+named the Giant's Ring, the work is of stone, such another there is
+none, so wide as is the worlds-realm is no work its like. The stones
+are great, and virtue they have; the men who are sick they go to the
+stones, and they wash the stones, and therewith bathe their bones;
+after a little while they become all sound! But the stones are mickle,
+and immensely great; for was never any man born, in every any burgh,
+who might with strength bring the stones thence." Then answered the
+king: "Merlin, thou sayest strange thing, that never any man born may
+bring them thence, nor with any strength carry from the place, how
+might I then bring them hence?" Then answered Merlin to the king who
+spake with him: "Yes, yes, lord king, it was of yore said, that better
+is art, than evil strength; for with art men may hold what strength
+may not obtain. But assemble thine army, and go to the land, and lead
+thou with thee a good host; and I will go with thee—thy worship will
+be the more! Ere thou back come, thy will thou shalt have, and the
+work thou shalt bring with thee to this land, and so thou shalt carry
+it to the burial-place, and honour the spot where thy friends lie. And
+thou thyself shalt therein thy bones rest; when thy life endeth, there
+shalt thou rest." Thus said Merlin, and afterwards he sate still, as
+though he would from the world depart. The king caused him to be
+brought into a fair chamber, and dwell therein, after his will.
+
+Aurche the king caused a husting to be summoned from all the lands
+that stood in his hand; he bade them counsel him at such need. And his
+noble barons they well advised him, that he should do the counsel that
+Merlin had said to him. But they would not lead the king out of this
+land, but they chose them for chief Uther the good, and fifteen
+thousand knights, weaponed fair, of bold Britons, who thither should
+go. When this army was all ready, then began they to fare with all the
+best ships that by the sea stood, and voyaged so long that they came
+to Ireland. And the brave knights took the haven, they went upon the
+sea-strand, and beheld Ireland. Then spake Merlin, and discoursed with
+words: "See ye now, brave men, the great hill, the hill so exceeding
+high, that to the welkin it is full high? That is the marvellous
+thing, it is named the Giant's Ring, to each work unlike--it came from
+Africa. Pitch your tents over all these fields, here we shall rest for
+the space of three days; on the fourth day we shall march hence toward
+the hill, where our will is. But we shall first refresh us, and
+assemble our warriors, make ready our weapons, for well they behove us
+(we shall need them)." Thus it remained, and there lay the army.
+
+Then possessed Ireland a king that was most strong; he hight
+Gillomaur, he was lord of the people, the tidings came to him that the
+Britons were in the land, he caused forces to be summoned over all
+Ireland's territory, and he gan to threaten greatly, that he would all
+drive them out. When the word came to him, what the Britons would do
+there, and that they came for that only, to fetch the stones, then the
+King Gillomar made mickle derision and scorn, and said that they were
+foolish fellows, who over the broad sea were thither arrived, to seek
+there stones, as if none were in their land; and swore by Saint
+Brandan:—-"They shall not carry away one stone, but for love of the
+stones they shall abide the most of all mischiefs; spill their blood
+out of their bellies—-and so men shall teach them (they shall be
+taught) to seek stones! And afterwards I will go into Britain, and say
+to the King Aurelie, that my stones I will defend, and unless the king
+be still, and do my will, I will in his land with fight withstand,
+make him waste paths, and wildernesses many; widows enow—-there
+husbands shall die!" Thus the unwise king played with words, but it
+all happened another wise, other than he weened. His army was ready,
+and forth they gan march, so long that they came whereon the Britons
+lay. Together they came, and hardily encountered, and fought
+fiercely—-the fated fell! But the Irish were bare, and the Britons in
+armour, the Irish fell, and covered all the fields. And the King
+Gillomar gan him to flee there, and fled forth-right, with twenty of
+his knights, into a great wood—-of worship bereaved—-his Irish folk
+was felled with steel. Thus was the king shamed, and thus he ended his
+boast, and thus went to the wood, and let his folk fall! The Britons
+beheld the dead over the fields; seven thousand there lay deprived of
+life. The Britons went over the fields to their tents, and worthily
+looked to (or took care of) their good weapons, and there they gan to
+rest, as Merlin counselled them.
+
+On the fourth day then gan they to march, and proceeded to the hill,
+all well weaponed, where the marvellous work stood, great and most
+strong! Knights went upward, knights went downward, knights went all
+about, and earnestly beheld it, they saw there on the land the
+marvellous work stand. There were a thousand knights with weapons well
+furnished, and all the others to wit guarded well their ships. Then
+spake Merlin, and discoursed with the knights: "Knights, ye are
+strong, these stones are great and long, ye must go nigh, and forcibly
+take hold of them; ye must wreathe them fast with strong sail-ropes,
+shove and heave with utmost strength trees great and long, that are
+exceeding strong, and go ye to one stone, all clean, and come again
+with strength, if ye may it stir." But Merlin wist well how it should
+happen. The knights advanced with mickle strength; they laboured full
+greatly, but they had not power, so that they ever any stone might
+stir! Merlin beheld Uther, who was the king's brother, and Merlin the
+prophet said these words: "Uther, draw thee back, and assemble thy
+knights, and stand ye all about, and diligently behold, and be ye all
+still, so that no man there stir ere I say to you now anon how we
+shall commence, 'Take ye each a stone.'" Uther drew him back, and
+assembled his knights, so that none there remained near the stones, as
+far as a man might cast a stone. And Merlin went about, and diligently
+gan behold, thrice he went about, within and without, and moved his
+tongue as if he sung his beads. Thus did Merlin there, then called he
+Uther: "Uther, come quickly, and all thy knights with thee, and take
+ye these stones all, ye shall not leave one; for now ye may heave them
+like feather balls; and so ye shall with counsel carry them to our
+ships." These stones they carried away, as Merlin counselled them, and
+placed them in their ships, and sailed forth to wit, and so they gan
+proceed into this land, and brought them on a plain that is wondrously
+broad, broad it is and most pleasant, near Ambresbury, where Hengest
+betrayed the Britons with axes. Merlin gan rear them, as they ere
+stood, so never any other man could do the craft, nor ever ere
+there-before was any man so wise born, that could the work raise, and
+the stones dispose.
+
+The tidings came to the king in the north end, of Merlin's proceeding,
+and of Uther, his brother, that they were with safety come to this
+land, and that the work was all disposed, and set up right. The king
+was in breast wondrously blithe; and caused a husting to be summoned,
+so wide as was all his land, that all his merry folk so very joyous
+should come to Ambresbury, all his people, at Whitsunday, and the king
+would be there, and honour the place. Thither came Aurelie the king,
+and all his folk with him, on Whitsunday he there made a feast, as I
+will thee tell in this book-story. There were on the weald tents
+raised, on the broad plain, nine thousand tents. All the Whitsunday
+the king on the plain lay; ordered the place to be hallowed, that
+hight Stonehenge. Full three days the king dwelt still; on the third
+day, his people he highly honoured; he made two bishops, wondrously
+good, Saint Dubriz at Kaerleon, and Saint Samson at York; both they
+became holy, and with God high. On the fourth day people separated,
+and so a time it stood in the same wise.
+
+The yet there was a wicked man, Pascent, Vortiger's son; was the same
+Pascent gone into Welsh land, and there in the same days was become
+outlaw. But he durst not long dwell there, for Aurelie and for Uther;
+but he procured good ships, and went by the sea flood, into Germany he
+proceeded, with five hundred men, and there he won much folk, and made
+a fleet, and voyaged so long that he came to this land, into the
+Humber, where he harm wrought. But he durst not long remain in the
+territory. The king marched thitherward, and Pascent fled awayward, by
+sea so long that he came to Ireland.
+
+Soon he found there the king of the land, his heart was very sore, he
+greeted the King Gillomar with God's greeting: "Hail be thou,
+Gillomar, chief of men! I am to thee come; I was Vortiger's son; my
+father was Britain's king, he loved thee through all things. And if
+thou wouldest now be my companion, as we shall agree, and my father
+well avenge, and well avenge thy folk that Uther here killed, and thy
+marvellous work, that he hence drew. And eke I heard say, where I
+voyaged in the sea, that the King Aurelie is become sick, and lieth in
+Winchester, in bed full fast. Thou mayest believe me enow, for this is
+verily sooth." Thus Pascent and Gillomar made their compact there;
+oaths they swore, many and innumerable, that they would set all this
+land in their two (joint) hands; the oaths were sworn, but eft they
+were broken! The king gathered a host wide over his land; to the sea
+they are gone, Gillomar and Pascent; into the ships they went, and
+forth let them glide. Forth they proceeded quickly, so that they came
+to Meneve, that was in that time a town exceeding fair, that men now
+truly call Saint David's. There they took haven with great bliss; the
+ships went on the strand, the knights went on the land. Then said
+Pascent—-toward Gillomar he went—-"Say me, King Gillomar, now we are
+come here; now I set to thee in hand half-part this kingdom; for there
+is from Winchester come to me a knight's son, and saith to me such
+advice, that Aurelie will be dead, the sickness is under his ribs, so
+that he may not live. Here we shall well avenge our kindred, and win
+his territories, as to us shall be best of all."
+
+To the king came the word, into Winchester, that Pascent and Gillomar
+were come here with an army. The king called Uther, who was his dear
+brother:—-"Uther, summon forces over all this land, and march to our
+enemies, and drive them from land; either thou them disperse, either
+thou them fell. And I would eke fare, if I were not so sick; but if I
+may be sound I will come after thee soon." Uther did all as the king
+said to him there. And Pascent at Saint David's wrought thereby much
+sorrow; and to the king Gillomar much sorrow he did there; Britain
+they through-ran, harried and burnt. And Uther in this land assembled
+his host, and it was long time ere he might march aright. And Pascent
+set in his own hand all West Welsh land.
+
+It was on a day, his people were blithe, there arrived Appas—-the
+fiends him conveyed! To Pascent he quoth thus: "Come hither to us. I
+will thee tell of a joyful tiding. I was at Winchester, with thine
+adversaries, where the king lieth sick, and sorrowful in heart. But
+what shall be my meed, if I thither ride, and I so gratify thee, that
+I kill him?" Then answered Pascent, and toward Appas he went: "I
+promise thee to-day a hundred pounds, for I may, if thou me so
+gratifiest, that thou kill him." Troth they plight this treachery to
+contrive. Appas went to his chamber, and this mischief meditated; he
+was a heathen man, out of Saxland come. Monk's clothes he took on, he
+shaved his crown upon; he took to him two companions, and forth he gan
+proceed, and went anon right into Winchester, as if it were a holy
+man—-the heathen devil! He went to the burgh-gate, where the king lay
+in chamber, and greeted the door-keeper with God's greeting; and bade
+him in haste go into the king, and say to him in sooth, that Uther his
+brother had sent him thither a good leech; the best leech that dwelt
+in any land, that ever any sick man out of sickness can bring. Thus he
+lied, the odious man, to the monarch, for Uther was gone forth with
+his army, nor ever him saw Uther, nor thither him sent! And the king
+weened that it were sooth, and believed him enow. Who would ween that
+he were traitor!—-for on his bare body he wore a cuirass, thereupon he
+had a loathly hair-cloth, and then a cowl of a black cloth; he had
+blackened his body, as if smutted with coal! He kneeled to the king,
+his speech was full mild: "Hail be thou, Aurelie, noblest of all
+kings! Hither me sent Uther, that is thine own brother; and I all for
+God's love am here to thee come. For I will heal, and all whole thee
+make, for Christ's love, God's son; I reck not any treasure, nor meed
+of land, nor of silver nor of gold, but to each sick person I do it
+for love of my Lord." The king heard this, it was to him most
+agreeable;—-but where is ever any man in this middle-earth, that would
+this ween, that he were traitor! He took his glass vessel anon, and
+the king urined therein; a while after that, the glass vessel in hand
+he took, and viewed it forth-right before the king's knights; and thus
+said anon Appas, the heathen man: "If ye will me believe, ere
+to-morrow eve this king shall be all whole, healed at his will." Then
+were blithe all that were in chamber. Appas went in a chamber, and the
+mischief meditated, and put thereto poison, that hight scamony, and
+came out forth-right among the chamber-knights, and to the knights he
+gan to distribute much canel, and gingiver and liquorice he gave them
+lovingly. They all took the gift, and he deceived them all. This
+traitor fell on his knees before the monarch, and thus said to him:
+"Lord, now thou shalt receive this, of this drink a part, and that
+shall be thy cure." And the king up drank, and there the poison he
+drank. Anon as he had drank, the leech laid him down. Thus said Appas
+to the chamber-knights: "Wrap now the king well, that he lie in
+sweating; for I say to you through all things, all whole shall your
+king be. And I will go to my inn, and speak with my men, and at the
+midnight I will come again forth-right, with other leechcraft, that
+shall be to him healing." Forth went--while the king lay in
+slumber--the traitor Appas to his inn, and spake with his men; and
+with stilly counsel stole from the town.
+
+At the midnight then sent the chamber-knights six of their men to
+Appas's inn; they weened to find him, and bring him to the king. Then
+was he flown, and the fiends him carried! The men came back where the
+king dwelt, and made known in the chamber of Appas's departure. Then
+might men see sorrow enow be! Knights fell down, and yearned their
+deaths; there was mickle lamentation and heart-groaning, there was
+many a piteous speech, there was yell of men! They leapt to the bed,
+and beheld the king; the yet he lay in slumber, and in great sweat.
+The knights with weeping awakened the king, and they called to him
+with mild voice: "Lord, how is it with thee? how is thy harm? For now
+is our leech departed without leave, gone out of court, and left us as
+wretches." The king gave them answer: "I am all over swollen, and
+there is no other hap, now anon I shall be dead. And I bid
+forth-right, ye who are my knights, that ye greet Uther, who is my own
+brother, and bid him hold my land in his sway. God himself through all
+things let him be a good king! And bid him be keen, and always deem
+right, as a father to the poor folk, to the destitute for comfort;
+--then may he hold the land in power. And now to-day, when I be dead,
+take ye all one counsel, and cause me to be brought right to
+Stonehenge, where lie much of my kindred, by the Saxons killed. And
+send for bishops, and book-learned men; my gold and silver distribute
+for my soul, and lay me at the east end, in Stonehenge." There was no
+other hap—there was the king dead! And all so his men did as the king
+directed. Uther was in Wales, and hereof was nothing ware, never
+through any art hereof nothing wist; nevertheless he had with him the
+prophet Merlin, he proceeded towards the army that was come to the
+land.
+
+Uther lay in Wales, in a wilderness, and prepared to march, to fight
+with Pascent. Then in the eventime, the moon gan to shine, well nigh
+all as bright as the sunlight. Then they saw afar a marvellous star;
+it was broad, it was large, it was immense! From it came gleams
+terribly shining, the star is named in Latin, comet. Came from the
+star a gleam most fierce; at this gleam's end was a dragon fair, from
+this dragon's mouth came gleams enow! But twain there were mickle,
+unlike to the others; the one drew toward France, the other toward
+Ireland. The gleam that toward France drew, it was itself bright enow;
+to Munt-Giu was seen the marvellous token! The gleam that stretched
+right west, it was disposed in seven beams. Uther saw this--but he was
+not hereof wary--sorrow was to him in heart, and strangely he was
+frightened; so was all the great folk that was in the host. Uther
+called Merlin, and bade him come to him, and thus said to him with
+very soft words: "Merlin, Merlin, dear friend, prove thyself, and say
+to us of the token that we have seen; for I wot not in the
+worlds-realm to what end it shall befall; unless thou us counsel, back
+we must ride."
+
+Merlin sate him still, a long time, as if he with dream full greatly
+laboured. They said who saw it with their own eyes, that oft he turned
+him, as if it were a worm! At length he gan to awake, then gan he to
+quake, and these words said Merlin the prophet: "Walaway! Walaway! in
+this worlds-realm, much is the sorrow that is come to the land! Where
+art thou, Uther? Set before me here, and I will say to thee of sorrows
+enow. Dead is Aurelie, noblest of kings, so is the other, Constance,
+thy brother, whom Vortiger betrayed with his treachery. Now hath
+Vortiger's kin killed Aurelie; now art thou alone of thy noble
+kindred. But hope not thou for counsel of them that he dead, but think
+of thyself--prosperity shall be given to thee;--for seldom he faileth,
+who to himself thinketh. Thou shalt become good king, and lord of men.
+And thou at the midnight weapon thy knights, that we in the
+morning-light may come forth-right, before Meneve—-there thou shalt
+fight; ere thou thence depart, slaughter thou shalt make; for thou
+shalt both slay there, Pascent and Gillomar, and many thousands of the
+men that are with them hither come. The token of the star, that we saw
+so far, sooth it is, Uther dear, that betokened thy brother's death.
+Before the star was the dragon, to each worm unlike; the token was on
+thy half, that was thou, Uther, thyself! Thou shalt have this land,
+and thy authority be great and strong. Such tokens are marvellous that
+came of the dragon's mouth, two gleams proceeded forth that were
+wondrously light. The one stretched far south, out over France--that
+signifies a powerful son, that of thy body shall come, who shall win
+many kingdoms with conflict, and in the end he shall rule many a
+nation. The other gleam that stretched west, wondrously light, that
+shall be a daughter, that to thee shall be exceeding dear. The gleams
+that gan to spread in seven fair strings, are seven fair sons, who
+shall come of thy daughter, who shall win to their own hand many a
+kingdom; they shall be well strong, on water and on land. Now thou
+hast of me heard what will thee help, quickly forth-right march to thy
+fight." And Merlin gan to slumber, as if he would sleep.
+
+Up arose Uther, now he was wise and wary, and ordered his knights
+forth-right to horse, and ordered them quickly to proceed to Meneve;
+and all their expedition (or forces) to prepare, as if they should
+fight. In the troop before he had knights well chosen; seven thousand
+knights, brave men and active. He had in the middle knights well
+beseen, other seven thousand good thanes. He had behind brave knights
+eighteen thousand, brave warriors, and of folk on foot so many
+thousands, that in no speech might any man tell them! Forth they
+marched quickly, until they came to Meneve.
+
+There saw Gillomar where Uther came to him, and commanded his knights
+to weapon them forth-right. And they very speedily grasped their
+knives, and off with their breeches--strange were their looks--and
+grasped in their hands their long spears, and hung on their shoulders
+great battle-axes. Then said Gillomar the king a thing very
+strange:--"Here cometh Uther, Aurelie's brother; he will ask my peace,
+and not fight with me. The foremost are his swains; march we against
+them; ye need never reek, though ye slay the wretches! For if Uther,
+Constantine's son, will here become my man, and give to Pascent his
+father's realm, I will him grant peace, and let him live, and in fair
+bonds lead him to my land." The king spake thus, the while worse him
+befell!
+
+Uther's knights were in the town forth-right, and laid fire in the
+town, and fought sharply; with swords rushed towards them; and the
+Irish were naked. When the Irish men saw, that the Britons were in
+conflict, they fought fiercely, and nevertheless they fell; they
+called on their king: "Where art thou, nithing! why wilt thou not come
+hither? thou lettest us here be destroyed;--and Pascent, thy comrade,
+saw us fall here;--come ye to us to help, with great strength!"
+Gillomar heard this; therefore his heart was sore; with his Irish
+knights he came to the fight, and Pascent forth with him--both they
+were fated! When Uther saw, that Gillomar was there come, to him he
+gan ride, and smote him in the side, so that the spear through
+pierced, and glided to the heart. Hastily he passed by him, and
+overtook Pascent; and said these words Uther the good: "Pascent, thou
+shalt abide; here cometh Uther riding!" He smote him upon the head, so
+that he fell down, and the sword put in his mouth—-such meat to him
+was strange--so that the point of the sword went in the earth. Then
+said Uther: "Pascent, lie now there; now thou hast Britain all won to
+thy hand! So is now hap to thee; therein thou art dead; dwell ye shall
+here, thou, and Gillomar thy companion, and possess well Britain! For
+now I deliver it to you in hand, so that ye may presently dwell with
+us here; ye need not ever dread who you shall feed!" Thus said Uther,
+and afterwards he there ran, and drove the Irish men over waters and
+over fens, and slew all the host that with Pascent came to land. Some
+to the sea fled, and leapt into their ships; with weather and with
+water there they perished! Thus they sped here, Pascent and Gillomar.
+Now was this fight done; and Uther back came, and forth-right marched
+into Winchester.
+
+In a broad way he gan meet three knights and their swains, who came
+toward him. Anon as they met him, fair they him greeted: "Hail be
+thou, Uther; these territories are thine own. Dead is Aurelie, noblest
+of kings; he hath set to thee in hand all his regal land; he bade thee
+be in prosperity, and think of his soul." Then wept Uther wondrously
+much there. Uther proceeded forth-right into Winchester; then were
+before him, without the burgh, all the burghers with piteous cries. So
+soon as they saw him, they said to him: "Uther, thy favour, now and
+evermore! Our king we have lost, woe is to us therefore. Thou wert his
+brother—-he had no other, nor he had no son, who might become king.
+But take thou the crown, it is thy right, and we will help thee, and
+hold for lord, with weapons and with goods, and with all our might."
+Uther heard this; he was wise and he was aware, that there was no
+other course, since his brother was dead. He took the crown, that came
+to him exceeding well, and he worthily became king, and held good
+laws, and loved his folk. Whilst that he was king, and chose his
+ministers, Merlin disappeared; he knew not ever whither he went, nor
+ever in the worlds-realm what became of him. Woe was the king, so was
+all his people, and all his courtiers were therefore mourning. The
+king caused men to ride wide and far; he offered gold and treasure to
+each travelling man, whosoever might find Merlin in the land thereto
+he laid mickle praise, but he heard no whit of him. Then bethought
+Uther, what Merlin said to him ere, in the expedition into Welsh land,
+where they saw the dragon, to each worm incomparable, and he thought
+of the tokens that Merlin taught him. The king was exceeding sorry,
+and sorrowful in heart, for he lost never a dearer man, since he was
+alive, never any other, not even Aurelie, his brother. The king caused
+to be worked two images, two golden dragons, all for Merlin's love--
+so greatly he desired his coming. When the dragons were ready, the one
+was his companion, wheresoever he in the land led his army, it was his
+standard, in every hap, the other he worthily gave into Winchester,
+into the bishop's see, where he stead holdeth. Thereto he gave his
+good spear, wherewith men should bear the dragon, when men should
+carry relics at processions. The Britons saw this, these dragons that
+were thus made, ever since they called Uther, who for a standard bare
+the dragon, the name they laid on him, that was Uther Pendragon;
+Pendragon in British, Dragon's-head in English.
+
+Now was Uther their good king, but of Merlin he had nothing. This word
+heard Octa, where he dwelt northward, and Ebissa his wed-brother, and
+Ossa the other, that Aurelie sent thither, and set them there in his
+peace, and gave them in hand sixty hides of land. Octa heard full
+truly all how it was transacted, of Aurehe's death, and of Uther's
+kingdom. Octa called to him his kin that was nearest, they betook them
+to counsel, of their old deeds, that they would by their life desert
+Christendom. They held husting, and became heathens, then came there
+together, of Hengest's kindred, five and sixty hundred of heathen men.
+Soon was the word reported and over the land known, that Octa,
+Hengest's son, was become heathen, and all these same men to whom
+Aurelie had granted peace. Octa sent his messengers into Welsh land,
+after the Irish that from Uther were fled, and after the Alemains
+(Germans), that away were drawn, that were gone to the wood, the while
+men slew Pascent, and hid them well everywhere, the while men slew
+Gillomar, the folk out of the wood drew, and toward Scotland
+proceeded. There came ever more and more, and proceeded toward Octa,
+when they together were all come, then were there thirty thousand,
+without the women, of Hengest's kin. They took their host, and forth
+gan to fare, and set all in their hand beyond the Humber, and the
+people, where they gan march, there was a marvellous host! And they
+proceeded right to York, and on each side the heathen people gan ride
+about the burgh, and the burgh besieged, and took it all in their
+hand, forth into Scotland, all that they saw they accounted their own.
+But Uther's knights who were in the castle, defended the town within,
+so that they might never get within, in no place heard any one, of few
+men that did so well!
+
+So soon as Uther of this thing was aware, he assembled a strong army,
+over all his kingdom, and he very speedily marched toward York,
+proceeded forth-right anon, where Octa him lay. Octa and his forces
+marched against them; encountered them together with grim strength,
+hewed hardily, helms resounded; the fields were dyed with the blood of
+the slain, and the heathen souls hell sought! When the day's end
+arrived, then was it so evilly done, that the heathen folk had the
+upper hand, and with great strength routed the Britons, and drove them
+to a mount that was exceeding strong. And Uther with his men drew to
+the mount, and had lost in the fight his dear knights, full seven
+hundred—-his hap was the worse! The mount hight Dunian, that Uther was
+upon, the mount was overgrown with a fair wood. The king was there
+within with very many men, and Octa besieged him with the heathen men
+night and day—-besieged him all about, woe was to the Britons! Woe was
+the King Uther, that he was not ere aware, that he had not in land
+better understood. Oft they went to counsel of such need, how they
+might overcome Octa, Hengest's son.
+
+There was an earl Gorlois, bold man full truly—-knight he was good, he
+was Uther's man,—-Earl of Cornwall, known he was wide—-he was a very
+wise man, in all things excellent. To him said Uther, sorry in heart:
+"Hail be thou, Gorlois, lord of men! Thou art mine own man, and very
+well I thee treat; thou art knight good, great is thy wisdom, all my
+people I put in thy counsel, and all we shall work after thy will."
+Then hung he his brows down, the King Uther Pendragon, and stood him
+full still, and bade Gorlois say his will. Then answered Gorlois, who
+was courteous full truly, "Say me, Uther Pendragon, why bowest thou
+thy head down? Knowest thou not that God alone is better than we all
+clean? He may to whomsoever he will give worship. Promise we him in
+life that we will not him deceive, and let we counsel us of our
+misdeeds. Each man forth-right take shrift of all his sins, each man
+shrive other, as if it were his brother, and every good knight take on
+him much shrift, and God we shall promise to amend our sins. And at
+the midnight prepare us to fight, these heathen hounds account us all
+here bound. Octa, Hengest's son, weeneth that we are all taken, they
+he in these fields covered in their tents, they are very weary of
+carrying their weapons, now anon they shall slumber, and afterwards
+sleep; of us they have no care, that we will march against them. At
+the midnight we shall forth-right go exceeding still, down from this
+hill, be no knight so mad, that he ask any word, nor ever any man be
+so mad, that he blow horn. But we shall step to them as if we would
+steal, ere they are aware, we shall destroy them, we shall approach to
+them, and tell them tidings. And let every brave man strongly lay on
+them, and so we shall drive the foreigners from the land, and with the
+might of our Lord, win our rights." All this host did as Gorlois had
+bid them, each man forth-right put him under shrift promised to do
+good, and Uther Pendragon foremost went down, and all his knights,
+exceeding still, and smote in the wealds, among all the tents, and
+slew the heathens with great strength, slew over the fields the yellow
+locks, of folk it was most wretched, they drew along their bowels,
+with much destruction they fell to the ground.
+
+And there was forth-right captured Octa, Hengest's son, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa, and his comrade Ossa. The king caused them to be
+bound with iron bands, and delivered them to sixty knights, who were
+good in fight, fast to hold over the weald. And he himself drove him
+forth, and made much din, and Gorlois the fair, forth on the other
+side, and all their knights ever forth-right slew downright all that
+they came nigh. Some they crept to the wood on their bare knees, and
+they were on the morrow most miserable of all folk. Octa was bound,
+and led to London, and Ebissa, and Ossa--was never to them such woe.
+
+This fight was all done, and the king forth marched into
+Northumberland with great bliss, and afterwards to Scotland, and set
+it all in his own hand. He established peace, he established quiet,
+that each man might journey with from land to land, though he bare
+gold in his hand, of peace he did such things, that no king might ever
+ere, from that time that the Britons here arrived. And then, after a
+time, he proceeded to London, he was there at Easter, with his good
+folk, blithe was the London's town, for Uther Pendragon. He sent his
+messengers over all his kingdom, he bade the earls, he bade the
+churls, he bade the bishops, and the book learned men, that they
+should come to London, to Uther the king, into London's town, to Uther
+Pendragon. Rich men soon to London came; they brought wife, they
+brought child, as Uther the king commanded. With much goodness the
+king heard mass, and Gorlois, the Earl of Cornwall, and many knights
+with him; much bliss was in the town, with King Uther Pendragon. When
+the mass was sung, to the hall they crowded, trumpets they blew,
+boards they spread, all the folk ate and drank, and bliss was among
+them.
+
+There sate Uther the king in his high chair; opposite to him Gorlois,
+fair knight full truly, the Earl of Cornwall, with his noble wife.
+When they were all seated, the earls to their meat, the king sent his
+messengers to Ygaerne the fair, Gorlois the earl's wife, woman fairest
+of all. Oft he looked on her, and glanced with his eyes, oft he sent
+his cup-bearers forth to her table, oft he laughed at her, and made
+glances to her, and she him lovingly beheld--but I know not whether
+she loved him. The king was not so wise, nor so far prudent, that
+among his folk he could his thoughts hide. So long the king this
+practised, that Gorlois became him wrath, and angered him greatly with
+the king, because of his wife. The earl and his knights arose
+forth-right, and went forth with the woman, knights most wrath. King
+Uther saw this, and herefore was sorry, and took him forth-right
+twelve wise knights, and sent after Gorlois, chieftain of men, and
+bade him come in haste to the king, and do the king good right, and
+acknowledge his fault, that he had disgraced the king, and from his
+board had departed, he, and his knights, with mickle wrong, for the
+king was cheerful with him, and for he hailed (drank health) to his
+wife. And if he would not back come, and acknowledge his guilt, the
+king would follow after him, and do all his might, take from him all
+his land, and his silver, and his gold. Gorlois heard this, lord of
+men, and he answer gave, wrathest of earls: "Nay, so help me the Lord,
+that formed the daylight, will I never back come, nor yearn his peace,
+nor shall he ever in life disgrace me of my wife! And say ye to Uther
+the king, at Tintateol he may find me, if he thither will ride, there
+will I abide him, and there he shall have hard game, and mickle
+world's shame." Forth proceeded the earl, angry in his mood, he was
+wrath with the king wondrously much, and threatened Uther the king,
+and all his thanes with him. But he knew not what should come
+subsequently, soon thereafter.
+
+The earl proceeded anon into Cornwall; he had there two castles
+inclosed most fast, the castles were good, and belonged to the race of
+his ancestors. To Tintateol he sent his mistress who was so fair,
+named Ygaerne, best of all women; and he inclosed her fast in the
+castle. Ygaerne was sorry, and sorrowful in heart, that so many men
+for her should there have destruction. The earl sent messengers over
+all Britain, and bade each brave man, that he should come to him, for
+gold and for silver, and for other good gifts, that they full soon
+should come to Tintateol, and bade his own knights to come
+forth-right. When they were together, the good thanes, then had he
+full fifteen thousand, and they fast inclosed Tintateol. Upon the
+sea-strand Tintateol standeth, it is with the sea cliffs fast
+inclosed, so that it may not be won, by no kind of man, but if hunger
+come therein under. The earl marched thence with seven thousand men,
+and proceeded to another castle, and inclosed it full fast, and left
+his wife in Tintateol, with ten thousand men. For it needed the
+knights, day or night, only to guard the castle gate, and he careless
+asleep; and the earl kept the other, and with him his own brother.
+
+Uther heard this, who was king most stark, that Gorlois, his earl, had
+gathered his forces, and would hold war, with much wrath. The king
+summoned his host over all this territory, over all the land that
+stood in his hand, people of many kind marched them together, and came
+to London to the sovereign. Out of London's town fared Uther
+Pendragon, he and his knights proceeded forth-right, so long, that
+they came into Cornwall, and over the water they passed, that Tambres
+hight, right to the castle, where they knew Gorlois to be. With much
+enmity the castle they besieged, oft they assaulted it with fierce
+strength; together they leapt, people there fell. Full seven nights
+the king with his knights besieged the castle, his men there had
+sorrow, he might not of the earl anything win, and all the se'nnight
+lasted the marvellous fight. When Uther the king saw that nothing sped
+to him, oft he bethought him what he might do, for Ygaerne was so dear
+to him, even as his own life, and Gorlois was to him in the land of
+all men most loathsome; and in each way was woe to him in this world's
+realm, because he might not have anything of his will.
+
+Then was with the king an old man exceeding well-informed; he was a
+very rich thane, and skilful in each doom, he was named Ulfin, much
+wisdom was with him. The king drew up his chin, and looked on Ulfin,
+greatly he mourned, his mood was disturbed. Then quoth Uther Pendragon
+to Ulfin the knight: "Ulfin, say me some counsel, or I shall be full
+soon dead, so much it longeth me after the fair Ygaerne, that I may
+not live. This word hold to me secret; for Ulfin the dear, thy good
+counsels, loud and still I will do them." Then answered Ulfin to the
+king who spake with him: "Now hear I a king say great marvel! Thou
+lovest Ygaerne, and holdest it so secret, the woman is to thee dear,
+and her lord all loath, his land thou consumest, and makest him
+destitute, and threatenest himself to slay, and his kin to destroy.
+Weenest thou with such harm to obtain Ygaerne? She should do then as
+no woman doth, with dread unmeet hold love sweet. But if thou lovest
+Ygaerne, thou shouldest hold it secret, and send her soon of silver
+and of gold, and love her with art, and with loving behest. The yet it
+were a doubt, whether thou mightest possess her, for Ygaerne is
+chaste, a woman most true; so was her mother, and more of the kin. In
+sooth I thee say, dearest of all kings, that otherwise thou must
+begin, if thou wilt win her. For yesterday came to me a good hermit,
+and swore by his chin, that he knew Merlin, where he each night
+resteth under heaven, and oft he spake with him, and stories him told.
+And if we might with art get Merlin, then mightest thou thy will
+wholly obtain."
+
+Then was Uther Pendragon the softer in his mood, and gave answer:
+"Ulfin, thou hast well said counsel, I give thee in hand thirty
+ploughs of land, so that thou get Merlin, and do my will." Ulfin went
+through the folk, and sought all the host, and he after a time found
+the hermit, and in haste brought him to the king. And the king set to
+him in hand seven ploughs of land, if he might find and bring Merlin
+to the king. The hermit gan wend in the west end, to a wilderness, to
+a mickle wood, where he had dwelt well many winters, and Merlin very
+oft sought him there. So soon as the hermit came in, then found he
+Merlin, standing under a tree, and sore gan for him long, he saw the
+hermit come, as whilom was his custom, he ran towards him, both they
+rejoiced for this; they embraced, they kissed, and familiarly spake.
+Then said Merlin--much wisdom was with him--"Say thou, my dear friend,
+why wouldest thou not say to me, through no kind of thing, that thou
+wouldest go to the king? But full quickly I it knew anon as I thee
+missed, that thou wert come to Uther the king, and what the king spake
+with thee, and of his land thee offered, that thou shouldest bring me
+to Uther the king. And Ulfin thee sought, and to the king brought, and
+Uther Pendragon forth-right anon, set him in hand thirty ploughs of
+land, and he set thee in hand seven ploughs of land. Uther is desirous
+after Ygaerne the fair, wondrously much, after Gorlois's wife. But so
+long as is eternity, that shall never come, that he obtain her, but
+through my stratagem, for there is no woman truer in this world's
+realm. And nevertheless he shall possess the fair Ygaerne; and he
+shall beget on her what shall widely rule, he shall beget on her a man
+exceeding marvellous. So long as is eternity, he shall never die, the
+while that this world standeth, his glory shall last, and he shall in
+Rome rule the thanes. All shall bow to him that dwelleth in Britain,
+of him shall gleemen goodly sing; of his breast noble poets shall eat;
+of his blood shall men be drunk; from his eyes shall fly fiery embers;
+each finger on his hand shall be a sharp steel brand, stone walls
+shall before him tumble; barons shall give way, and their standards
+fall! Thus he shall well long fare over all the lands, people to
+conquer, and set his laws. These are the tokens of the son, that shall
+come of Uther Pendragon and of Ygaerne. This speech is full secret,
+for yet neither it knoweth, Ygaerne nor Uther, that of Uther Pendragon
+such a son shall arise; for yet he is unbegot, that shall govern all
+the people. But, Lord," quoth Merlin, "now it is thy will, that forth
+I shall go to the host of the king; thy words I will obey, and now I
+will depart, and proceed I will for thy love to Uther Pendragon. And
+thou shalt have the land that he set thee in hand."
+
+Thus they then spake: the hermit gan to weep; dearly he him kissed;
+there they gan to separate. Merlin went right forth south, the land
+was well known to him; forth-right he proceeded to the king's host. So
+soon as Uther him saw, so he approached towards him; and thus quoth
+Uther Pendragon: "Merlin, thou art welcome! Here I set thee in hand
+all the counsel of my land, and that thou must me advise, at my great
+need." Uther told him all that he would, and how Ygaerne was to him in
+the land dearest of women, and Gorlois, her lord, most odious of all
+men.--"And unless I have thy counsel, full soon thou wilt see me
+dead." Then answered Merlin: "Let Ulfin now come in, and give him in
+hand thirty ploughs of land, and give to the hermit what thou him
+promisedest, for I will not possess any land, neither silver nor gold,
+for I am in counsel most skilful of all men, and if I wished for
+possessions, then should I become worse in craft. But all thy will
+well shall come to pass, for I know such leech-craft, that shall be to
+thee lief, so that all thy appearance shall become as the earl's; thy
+speech, thy deeds among thy people; thy horse and thy weeds
+(garments), and so shalt thou ride. When Ygaerne shall see thee, in
+mood shall it be well to her; she lieth in Tintateol, fast inclosed.
+There is no knight so well born, of no land chosen, that might with
+strength unfasten the gates of Tintateol, unless they were burst with
+hunger and with thirst. But that is the sooth that I will say to thee,
+through all things thou shalt be as if thou wert the earl, and I will
+be every bit as Britael he is, who is a knight most hardy, he is this
+earl's steward, Jurdan is his chamber-knight, he is exceeding well
+dight, I will make Ulfin anon such as Jurdan is. Then wilt thou be
+lord, and I be Britael, thy steward, and Ulfin be Jurdan, thy
+chamber-knight. And we shall go now to-night, and fare thou shalt by
+counsel, whither soever I lead thee. Now to-night shall half a hundred
+knights with spear and with shield be about thy tents, so that never
+any man alive come there near, and if ever any man come there, that
+his head be taken from him. For the knights shall say--thy good
+men--that thou art let blood, and restest thee in bed."
+
+These things were forth-right thus dight. Forth went the king, it was
+nothing known, and forth went with him Ulfin and Merlin, they
+proceeded right the way that lay into Tintateol, they came to the
+castle-gate, and called familiarly: "Undo this gate-bolt; the earl is
+come here, Gorlois the lord, and Britael his steward, and Jordan the
+chamber-knight; we have journeyed all night!" The gateward made it
+known over all, and knights ran upon the wall, and spake with Gorlois,
+and knew him full surely. The knights were most alert, and weighed up
+the castle gate, and let him come within--the less was then their
+care,--they weened certainly to have much bliss. Then had they with
+stratagem Merlin there within, and Uther the king within their
+possession, and led there with him his good thane Ulfin. These tidings
+came quickly unto the lady, that her lord was come, and with him his
+three men. Out came Ygaerne forth to the earl, and said these words
+with winsome speech: "Welcome, lord, man to me dearest; and welcome,
+Jordan, and Britael is also;--be ye in safety parted from the king?"
+Then quoth Uther full truly as if it were Gorlois: "Mickle is the
+multitude that is with Uther Pendragon, and I am all by night stolen
+from the fight, for after thee I was desirous, woman thou art to me
+dearest. Go into the chamber, and cause my bed to be made, and I will
+rest me for this night's space, and all day to-morrow, to gladden my
+people." Ygaerne went to chamber, and caused a bed to be made for him,
+the kingly bed was all overspread with a pall. The king viewed it
+well, and went to his bed; and Ygaerne lay down by Uther Pendragon,
+Now weened Ygaerne full truly, that it were Gorlois; through never any
+kind of thing knew she Uther the king. The king approached her as man
+should do to woman, and had him to do with the dearest of women; and
+he begat on her a marvellous man, keenest of all kings, that ever came
+among men, and he was on earth named Arthur. Ygaerne knew not who lay
+in her arms, for ever she weened full surely, that it were the Earl
+Gorlois.
+
+There was no greater interval but until it was daylight, there
+forth-right the knights understood, that the king was departed out of
+the host. Then said the knights, sooth though it were not, that the
+king was flown, filled with dread, but it all was leasing that they
+said of the king, they held hereof much converse upon Uther Pendragon.
+Then said the earls and the highest barons; "Now when Gorlois shall
+know it, how it is passed, that our king is departed, and has left his
+host, he will forth-right weapon his knights, and out he will to
+fight, and fell us to ground, with his furious thanes make mickle
+slaughter; then were it better for us, that we were not born. But
+cause we the trumpets to be blown, and our army to assemble; and Cador
+the brave shall bear the king's standard; heave high the Dragon before
+this people, and march to the castle, with our keen folk. And the Earl
+Aldolf shall be our chief, and we shall obey him, as if he were the
+king; and so we shall with right with Gorlois fight, and if he will
+speak with us, and yearn this king's peace, set amity with soothfast
+oath, then may we with worship go hence; then our underlings will have
+no upbraidings, that we for any timidity hence fled." All the
+nation-folk praised this same counsel. Trumpets they blew, and
+assembled their host; up they heaved the Dragon, by each standard
+unmatched; there was many a bold man, that hung shield on shoulder,
+many a keen thane, and proceeded to the castle, where Gorlois was
+within, with his keen men. He caused trumpets to be blown, and his
+host to assemble; they leapt on steed, knights gan to ride. These
+knights were exceeding active, and went out at the gate; together they
+came soon, and quickly they attacked, fell the fated men, the ground
+they sought; there was much blood shed, harm was among the folk;
+amidst the fight full certainly men slew the Earl Gorlois. Then gan
+his men to flee, and the others to pursue after, they came to the
+castle, and within they thrust. Soon it came within, both the two
+hosts; there lasted the fight throughout the daylight; ere the day
+were all gone, the castle was won; was there no swain so mean, that he
+was not a well good thane.
+
+The tidings came into Tintageol in haste, forth into the castle
+wherein Uther was, that the good earl their lord Gorlois was slain
+full truly, and all his soldiers, and his castle taken. The king heard
+this, where he lay in amorous play, and leapt out of bower, as if it
+were a lion. Then quoth the King Uther, of this tiding he was ware:
+"Be still, be still, knights in hall! Here I am full truly, your lord
+Gorlois; and Jordan, my chamberlain, and Britael, my steward. I and
+these two knights leapt out of the fight, and in hither we are
+arrived--we were not there slain. But now I will march, and assemble
+my host; and I and my knights shall all by night proceed into a town,
+and meet Uther Pendragon, and unless he speak of reconciliation, I
+will worthily avenge me! And inclose ye this castle most fast, and bid
+Ygaerne that she mourn not. Now go I forth-right, have ye all good
+night!" Merlin went before, and the thane Ulfin, and afterwards Uther
+Pendragon, out of Tintageol's town; ever they proceeded all night,
+until it was daylight.
+
+When he came to the spot where his army lay, Merlin had on the king
+set his own features through all things, then his knights knew their
+sovereign; there was many a bold Briton filled with bliss; then was in
+Britain bliss enow; horns there blew, gleemen gan chant, glad was
+every knight, all arrayed with pall! Three days was the king dwelling
+there; and on the fourth day he went to Tintaieol. He sent to the
+castle his best thanes, and greeted Ygaerne, noblest of women, and
+sent her token what they spake in bed; and ordered her that she should
+yield the castle quickly--there was no other counsel, for her lord was
+dead. Yet Ygaerne weened that it were sooth, that the dead earl had
+sought his people, and she all believed, that it were false, that the
+King Uther had ever come down. Knights went to counsel, knights went
+to communing, they resolved that they would not hold the castle any
+longer, their bridge they let down and delivered it to Uther
+Pendragon. Then stood all this kingdom eft in Uther's own hand.
+
+There Uther the king took Ygaerne for queen; Ygaerne was with child by
+Uther the king, all through Merlin's craft, before she was wedded. The
+time came that was chosen, then was Arthur born. So soon as he came on
+earth, elves took him; they enchanted the child with magic most
+strong, they gave him might to be the best of all knights; they gave
+him another thing, that he should be a rich king, they gave him the
+third, that he should live long; they gave to him the prince virtues
+most good, so that he was most generous of all men alive. This the
+elves gave him, and thus the child thrived. After Arthur, the blessed
+lady was born, she was named Anna, the blessed maiden; and afterwards
+she took (married) Loth, who possessed Leoneis (Lothian), she was in
+Leoneis lady of the people. Long lived Uther with mickle bliss here,
+with good peace, with much quiet, free in his kingdom.
+
+When that he was an old man, then came illness on him; the illness
+laid him down, sick was Uther Pendragon, so he was here sick seven
+years. Then became the Britons much emboldened, they did oft wickedly,
+all for absence of dread. The yet lay Octa, Hengest's son, bound in
+the prison of London, who was taken at York, and his comrade Ebissa,
+and his other Ossa. Twelve knights guarded them day and night, who
+were wearily oppressed with watching, in London. Octa heard say of the
+sickness of the king, and spake with the guardsmen, who should keep
+him: "Hearken to me now, knights, what I will make known to you. We
+lie here in London fast bound, and ye many a long day have watched
+over us. Better were it for us to live in Saxland, with much wealth,
+than thus miserably here lie asleep. And if ye would in all things
+accomplish this, and do my will, I would give you land, much silver
+and gold, so that ever ye might richly rule in the land, and live your
+life as to you shall be liefest of all. For ye shall never have good
+gifts of Uther, your king, for now full soon he will be dead, and his
+people all desert, then will ye have neither, the one nor the other.
+But bethink you, brave men, and give to us your compassion, and think
+what were lief to you, if ye thus lay bound, and might in your land
+live in joy." Very oft Octa spake so with these knights. The knights
+gan to commune, the knights gan to counsel, and to Octa they said full
+still: "We shall do thy will." Oaths they swore, that they would not
+deceive. It was on a night that the wind went right; forth went the
+knights at the midnight, and led forth Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa,
+along the Thames they proceeded forth into the sea; forth they passed
+into Saxland. Their kindred came towards them with great flocks
+(forces); they marched over all the land, as to them was liefest, men
+gave them gifts and land; men gave them silver and gold Octa bethought
+him what he might do; he thought to come hither, and avenge his
+father's wounds. They procured a host of innumerable folk, to the sea
+they proceeded with great threats, they came to Scotland; soon they
+pushed on land, and greeted it with fire; the Saxons were cruel, the
+Scots they slew; with fire they down laid thirty hundred towns; the
+Scots they slew, many and innumerable.
+
+The tidings came to Uther the king. Uther was exceeding woe, and
+wonderfully grieved, and sent in to Loeneis, to his dear friends, and
+greeted Loth, his son-in-law, and bade him be in health, and ordered
+him to take in his own hand all his royal land; knights and freemen,
+and freely hold them, and lead them in a host, as the laws are in the
+land. And he ordered his dear knights to be obedient to Loth, with
+loving looks, as if he were sovereign. For Loth was very good knight,
+and had held many fight, and he was liberal to every man, he delivered
+to him the government of all this land. Octa held much war, and Loth
+often fought with him, and oft he gained possessions, and oft he them
+lost. The Britons had mickle mood, and immoderate pride, and were void
+of dread, on account of the king's age; and looked very contemptuously
+on Loth the earl, and did very evilly all his commands, and were all
+two counsels--their care was the more! This was soon said to the sick
+king, that his high men Loth all despised.
+
+Now will I tell thee, in this history, how Uther the king disposed
+himself. He said that he would go to his host, and see with his eyes
+who would there do well. He caused there to be made a good
+horse-litter, and caused an army to be assembled over all his kingdom;
+that each man by (on pain of) his life should come to him quickly, by
+their lives and by their limbs, to avenge the king's shame.--"And if
+there is any man, who will not come hastily, I will speedily destroy
+him, either slay either hang." All full soon to the court (or to the
+army) they came, durst there none remain, nor the fat nor the lean.
+The king forth-right took all his knights, and marched him anon to the
+town of Verulam; about Verolam's town came him Uther Pendragon; Octa
+was within with all his men. Then was Verulam a most royal town, Saint
+Alban was there slain, and deprived of life-day; the burgh was
+subsequently destroyed, and much folk there was slain. Uther lay
+without, and Octa within. Uther's army advanced to the wall, the
+powerful thanes fiercely assaulted it, they might not of the wall one
+stone detach, nor with any strength the wall injure.
+
+Well blithe was then Hengest's son Octa, when he saw the Britons
+recede from the walls, and go sorrowful again to their tents. Then
+said Octa to his comrade Ebissa: "Here is come to Verulam Uther, the
+lame man, and will with us here fight in his litter; he weened with
+his crutch to thrust us down! But to-morrow when it is day, the people
+shall arise, and open our castle-gate, and this realm we shall all
+win; shall we never lie here for one lame man! Out we shall ride upon
+our good steeds, and advance to Uther, and fell his folk; for all they
+are fated (shall die) that hither are ridden; and take the lame man,
+and lay in our bonds, and hold the wretch until that he dies; and so
+men shall leach his limbs that are sore, and heal his bones with
+bitter steel!" Thus spake him Octa with his comrade Ebissa; but all it
+happened otherwise than they weened. On the morrow when it dawned,
+they unfastened the doors; up arose Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa, and
+ordered their knights to prepare them for fight, to undo their broad
+gates, and unfasten the burgh. Octa rode him out, and much folk
+followed after him; with his bold warriors there he bale found! Uther
+saw him this, that Octa approached to them, and thought to fell his
+host to the ground.
+
+Then called Uther with quick voice there: "Where be ye, Britons, my
+bold thanes? Now is come that day, that the Lord may help us;--that
+Octa shall find, in that he threatened me to bind. Think of your
+ancestors, how good they were in fight; think of the worship that I
+have to you well given; nor let ye ever this heathen enjoy your homes,
+or these same raging hounds possess your lands. And I will pray to the
+Lord who formed the daylight, and to all the hallows, that sit high in
+heaven, that I on this field may be succoured. Now march quickly to
+them,--may the Lord aid you, may the all-ruling God protect my
+thanes!" Knights gan to ride, spears gan to glide, and broad spears
+brake, shivered shields--helms there were severed, men fell! The
+Britons were bold, and busy in fight, and the heathen hounds fell to
+the ground. There was slain Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa; there seventeen
+thousand sunk into hell; and many there escaped toward the north end.
+And all the daylight Uther's knights slew and captured all that they
+came nigh; when it was even, then was it all won. Then sung the
+soldiers with great strength, and said these words in their merry
+songs: "Here is Uther Pendragon come to Verulam's town; and he hath so
+beaten Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa, and given them in the land laws
+most strong, so that men may tell their kin in story, and thereof make
+songs in Saxland!" Then was Uther blithe, and exceeding glad, and
+spake with his people, that was dear to him in heart, and these words
+said Uther the old: "Saxish men have accounted me for base; my
+sickness they twitted me with their scornful words, because I was led
+here in a horse-litter; and said that I was dead, and my folk asleep.
+And now is much wonder come to this realm, that now this dead king
+hath killed these quick; and some he hath them driven forth with the
+weather! Now hereafter be done the Lord's will!"
+
+The Saxish men fled exceeding fast, that had aside retreated from the
+fight; forth they gan proceed into Scotland, and took to them for king
+Colgrim the fair. He was Hengest's relation, and dearest of men to
+him; and Octa loved him, the while that he lived. The Saxish men were
+greatly discouraged, and proceeded them together into Scotland; and
+they made Colgrim the fair for king, and assembled a host, wide over
+the land, and said that they would with their wicked craft in
+Winchester town kill Uther Pendragon. Alas, that it should so happen!
+Now said the Saxish men in their communing together: "Take we six
+knights, wise men and active, and skilful spies, and send we to the
+court, in almsman's guise, and dwell in the court, with the high king,
+and every day pass through all the people; and go to the king's dole,
+as if they were infirm, and among the poor people hearken studiously
+if man might with craft, by day or by night, in Winchester's town come
+to Uther Pendragon, and kill the king with murder;"--then were (would
+be) their will wholly accomplished, then were they careless of
+Constanine's kin. Now went forth the knights all by daylight, in
+almsman's clothes--knights most wicked--to the king's court--there
+they harm wrought. They went to the dole, as if they were infirm, and
+hearkened studiously of the king's sickness, how men might put the
+king to death. Then met they with a knight, from the king he came
+forth-right; he was Uther's relation, and dearest of men to him. These
+deceivers, where they sate along the street, called to the knight with
+familiar words: "Lord, we are wretched men in this world's realm;
+whilom we were in land accounted for good men, until Saxish men set us
+adown, and bereaved us of all, and our possessions took from us. Now
+we sing beads (prayers) for Uther the king; each day in a meal our
+meat faileth; cometh never in our dish neither flesh nor any fish, nor
+any kind of drink but a draught of water, but water clean--therefore
+we are thus lean."
+
+The knight heard this; back he went forth-right, and came to the king,
+where he lay in chamber, and said to the king: "Lord, be thou in
+health! Here out sit six men, alike in hue, all they are companions,
+and clothed with hard hair-cloth. Whilom they were in this world's
+realm goodly thanes, and filled with goods; now have Saxish men set
+them to ground, so that they are in the world accounted for wretches,
+they have not at board but bread alone, nor for their drink but water
+draughts. Thus they lead their life in thy people, and bid their
+beads, that God will let thee long live." Then quoth Uther the king:
+"Let them come in hither, I will them clothe, and I will them feed,
+for the love of my Lord, the while that I live." The treacherous men
+came into the chamber, the king caused them to be fed, the king caused
+them to be clothed, and at night each laid them on his bed. And each
+on his part aspied earnestly how they might kill the king with murder,
+but they might not through anything kill Uther the king, nor through
+any craft might come to him.
+
+Then happened it on a time, the rain it gan to pour; then called there
+a leech, where he lay in the chamber, to a chamber-knight, and ordered
+him forth-right to run to the well, that was near the hall, and set
+there a good swam, to keep it from the rain.--"For the king may not
+enjoy no draught in the world but the cold well stream, that is to him
+pleasant; that is for his sickness best of all draughts." This speech
+forth-right heard these six knights--to harm they were prompt--and
+went out by night forth to the well--there they harm wrought. Out they
+drew soon fair phials, filled with poison, of all liquids bitterest;
+six phials full they poured in the well; then was the well anon with
+poison infected. Then were full blithe the traitors in their life, and
+forth they went; they durst not there remain. Then came there
+forth-right two chamber-knights; they bare in their hands two bowls of
+gold. They came to the well, and filled their bowls; back they gan
+wend to Uther the king, forth into the chamber, where he lay in
+bed.--"Hail be thou, Uther! Now we are come here, and we have brought
+thee, what thou ere bade, cold well water; receive it with joy." Up
+arose the sick king, and sate on his bed; of the water he drank, and
+soon he gan to sweat; his heart gan to weaken, his face began to
+blacken, his belly gan to swell, the king gan to burst. There was no
+other hap, but there was Uther the king dead; and all they were dead,
+who drank of the water.
+
+When the attendants saw the calamity of the king, and of the king's
+men, who with poison were destroyed, then went to the well knights
+that were active, and destroyed the well with painful labour, with
+earth and with stones made a steep hill. Then the people took the dead
+king--numerous folk--and forth him carried the stiff-minded men into
+Stonehenge, and there buried him, by his dear brother; side by side
+there they lie both.
+
+Then came it all together, that was highest in the land, earls and
+barons, and book-learned men; they came to London, to a mickle
+husting, and the rich thanes betook them all to counsel, that they
+would send messengers over sea into Britanny, after the best of all
+youth that was in the worlds-realm in those days, named Arthur the
+strong, the best of all knights; and say that he should come soon to
+his kingdom; for dead was he Uther Pendragon, as Aurelie was ere, and
+Uther Pendragon had no other son, that might after his days hold by
+law the Britons, maintain with worship, and rule this kingdom. For yet
+were in this land the Saxons settled; Colgrim the keen, and many
+thousands of his companions, that oft made to our Britons evil
+injuries. The Britons full soon took three bishops, and seven riders,
+strong in wisdom; forth they gan proceed into Britanny, and they full
+soon came to Arthur.--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of knights! Uther
+thee greeted, when he should depart, and bade that thou shouldest
+thyself in Britain hold right laws, and help thy folk, and defend this
+kingdom, as good king should do, defeat thy enemies, and drive them
+from land. And he prayed the mild Son of God to be to thee now in aid,
+that thou mightest do well, and the land receive from God. For dead is
+Uther Pendragon, and thou art Arthur, his son; and dead is the other,
+Aurelie his brother." Thus they gan tell, and Arthur sate full still;
+one while he was wan, and in hue exceeding pale; one while he was red,
+and was moved in heart. When it all brake forth, it was good that he
+spake; and thus said he there right, Arthur the noble knight: "Lord
+Christ, God's Son, be to us now in aid, that I may in life hold God's
+laws!"
+
+Arthur was fifteen years old, when this tiding was told to him, and
+all they were well employed, for he was much instructed. Arthur
+forth-right called his knights, and bade every man get ready his
+weapons, and saddle their horses very speedily, for he would go to
+this Britain. To the sea proceeded the good thanes, at Michael's
+mount, with a mickle host, the sea set them on the strand, at
+Southampton they came ashore. Forth he gan ride, Arthur the powerful,
+right to Silchester; there it seemed good to him; there was the host
+of Britons boldly assembled. Great was the bliss when Arthur came to
+the burgh; then was blast of trumpets, and men most glad; there they
+raised to be king Arthur the young.
+
+When Arthur was king--hearken now a marvellous thing;--he was liberal
+to each man alive, knight with the best, wondrously keen! He was to
+the young for father, to the old for comforter, and with the unwise
+wonderfully stern, wrong was to him exceeding loathsome, and the right
+ever dear. Each of his cupbearers, and of his chamber-thanes, and his
+chamber-knights, bare gold in hand, to back and to bed, clad with gold
+web. He had never any cook, that he was not champion most good; never
+any knight's swam, that he was not bold thane! The king held all his
+folk together with great bliss, and with such things he overcame all
+kings, with fierce strength and with treasure. Such were his
+qualities, that all folk it knew. Now was Arthur good king, his people
+loved him, eke it was known wide, of his kingdom.
+
+The king held in London a mickle husting; thereto were arrived all his
+knights, rich men and poor, to honour the king. When that it was all
+come, a numerous folk, up arose Arthur noblest of kings, and caused to
+be brought before him reliques well choice, and thereto the king gan
+soon to kneel thrice,--his people knew not what he would pronounce.
+Arthur held up his right hand, an oath he there swore, that never by
+his life, for no man's lore, should the Saxons become blithe in
+Britain, nor be landholders, nor enjoy worship, but he would drive
+them out, for they were at enmity with him. For they slew Uther
+Pendragon, who was son of Constance, so they did the other, Aurelie,
+his brother, therefore they were in land loathest of all folk. Arthur
+forth-right took his wise knights, were it lief to them were it loath
+to them, they all swore the same oath, that they would truly hold with
+Arthur, and avenge the King Uther, whom the Saxons killed here. Arthur
+sent his writs wide over his land, after all the knights that he might
+obtain, that they full soon should come to the king, and he would in
+land lovingly maintain them; reward them with land, with silver and
+with gold. Forth went the king with a numerous host, he led a
+surprising multitude, and marched right to York. There he lay one
+night, on the morrow he proceeded forth-right where he knew Colgrim to
+be, and his comrades with him.
+
+Since Octa was slam, and deprived of life-day, who was Hengest's son,
+out of Saxland come, Colgrim was the noblest man that came out of
+Saxland, after Hengest, and Hors, his brother, and Octa, and Ossa, and
+their companion Ebissa. At that day Colgrim ruled the Saxons by
+authority, led and counselled, with fierce strength; mickle was the
+multitude that marched with Colgrim! Colgrim heard tiding of Arthur
+the king, that he came toward him, and would do to him evil. Colgrim
+bethought him what he might do, and assembled his host over all the
+North land. There came together all the Scottish people, Peohtes and
+Saxons joined them together, and men of many kind followed Colgrim.
+Forth he gan to march with an immense force, against Arthur, noblest
+of kings, he thought to kill the king in his land, and fell his folk
+to the ground, and set all this kingdom in his own hand, and fell to
+the ground Arthur the young. Forth marched Colgrim, and his army with
+him, and proceeded with his host until he came to a water, the water
+is named Duglas, people it destroyed!
+
+There came Arthur against him, ready with his fight; on a broad ford
+the hosts them met, vigorously their brave champions attacked, the
+fated fell to the ground! There was much blood shed, and woe there was
+rife, shivered shafts, men there fell! Arthur saw that, in mood he was
+uneasy, Arthur bethought him what he might do, and drew him backward
+on a broad field. When his foes weened that he would fly, then was
+Colgrim glad, and all his host with him, they weened that Arthur had
+with fear retreated there, and passed over the water, as if they were
+mad. When Arthur saw that, that Colgrim was so nigh to him, and they
+were both beside the water, thus said Arthur, noblest of kings: "See
+ye not, my Britons, here beside us, our full foes--Christ destroy
+them!--Colgrim the strong, out of Saxland? His kin in this land killed
+our ancestors, but now is the day come, that the Lord hath appointed,
+that he shall lose the life, and lose his friends, or else we shall be
+dead, we may not see him alive! The Saxish men shall abide sorrow, and
+we avenge worthily our friends." Up caught Arthur his shield, before
+his breast, and he gan to rush as the howling wolf, when he cometh
+from the wood, behung with snow, and thinketh to bite such beasts as
+he liketh. Arthur then called to his dear knights: "Advance we
+quickly, brave thanes! all together towards them; we all shall do
+well, and they forth fly, as the high wood, when the furious wind
+heaveth it with strength!" Flew over the wealds thirty thousand
+shields, and smote on Colgrim's knights, so that the earth shook
+again. Brake the broad spears, shivered shields; the Saxish men fell
+to the ground! Colgrim saw that, therefore he was woe--the fairest man
+of all that came out of Saxland. Colgrim gan to flee, exceeding
+quickly; and his horse bare him with great strength over the deep
+water, and saved him from death. The Saxons gan to sink--sorrow was
+given to them! Arthur hastened speedily to the water, and turned his
+spear's point, and hindered to them the ford; there the Saxons were
+drowned, full seven thousand. Some they gan wander, as the wild crane
+doth in the moorfen, when his flight is impaired, and swift hawks
+pursue after him, and hounds with mischief meet him in the reeds; then
+is neither good to him, nor the land nor the flood, the hawks him
+smite, the hounds him bite, then is the royal fowl at his death-time!
+Colgrim fled him over the fields quickly, until he came to York,
+riding most marvellously; he went into the burgh, and fast it
+inclosed; he had within ten thousand men, burghers with the best; that
+were beside him. Arthur pursued after him with thirty thousand
+knights, and marched right to York with folk very numerous, and
+besieged Colgrim at York, who defended it against him.
+
+Seven nights therebefore Baldolf the fair, Colgrim's brother, was gone
+southward, and lay by the sea-side, and abode Childric. Childric was
+in those days a kaiser of powerful authority; the land in Alemaine was
+his own. When Baldolf heard, where he lay by the sea, that Arthur had
+inclosed Colgrim in York, Baldolf had assembled seven thousand men,
+bold fellows, who by the sea lay; they took them to counsel, that back
+they would ride, and leave Childric, and proceed into York, and fight
+with Arthur, and destroy all his people. Baldolf swore in his anger,
+that he would be Arthur's bane, and possess all this realm, with
+Colgrim his brother. Baldolf would not wait for the kaiser Childric,
+but thence he marched forth, and drew him forth right north, from day
+to day, with his bold folk, until he came into a wood, into a
+wilderness, full seven miles from Arthur's host. He had thought by
+night with seven thousand knights to ride upon Arthur, and fell his
+folk, and himself kill.
+
+But all it otherwise happened, other than he weened; for Baldolf had
+in his host a British knight; he was Arthur's relative, named Maurin.
+Maurin went aside to the wood, through woods and through fields, until
+he came to Arthur's tents; and thus said soon to Arthur the king:
+"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings! I am hither come; I am of thy
+kindred. Here is Baldolf arrived with warriors most hardy, and
+thinketh in this night to slay thee and thy knights, to avenge his
+brother, who is greatly discouraged, but God shall prevent him,
+through his mickle might, And send now forth Cador, the Earl of
+Cornwall, and with him bold knights, good and brave, full seven
+hundred good thanes; and I will counsel them, and I will lead them,
+how they may Baldolf slay as if a wolf." Forth went Cador and all
+these knights, so that they came aside where Baldolf lay in tents,
+they advanced to him on each side; they slew, they captured all that
+they came nigh;--there were killed nine hundred all out told.
+
+Baldolf was gone aside to save himself, and fled through the
+wilderness, wondrously fast; and had his dear men with sorrow
+deserted, and fled him so far north, that he came so forth, where
+Arthur lay on the weald, with his powerful host, all about York--king
+most surprising! Colgrim was within with the Saxish men, and Baldulf
+bethought him what he might do; with what kind of stratagem he might
+come within, into the burgh, to Colgrim his brother, who was to him
+the dearest of all men alive. Baldulf caused to be shaved to the bare
+skin his beard and his chin, and made him as a fool; he caused half
+his head to be shorn, and took him in hand a long harp. He could harp
+exceeding well in his childhood; and with his harp he went to the
+king's host, and gan there to play, and much game to make. Oft men him
+smote with wands most smart; oft men him struck as men do fool; each
+man that met him, greeted him with derision; so never any man knew of
+Baldulf's appearance, but that it were a fool come to the folk! So
+long he went upward, so long he went downward, that they were aware,
+who were there within, that it was Baldulf without, Colgrim's brother.
+They cast out a rope, and Baldulf grasped it fast, and they drew up
+Baldulf, so that he came within, with such kind of stratagem Baldulf
+came within. Then was Colgrim blithe, and all his knights with him,
+and greatly they gan to threaten Arthur the king. Arthur was beside,
+and saw this game, and wrathed himself wondrously much; and ordered
+anon all his brave folk to weapon them; he thought to win the burgh
+with strength.
+
+As Arthur was about to assault the wall, then came there riding
+Patrick, the rich man, who was a Scottish thane, fair in his land; and
+thus began to call to the king anon: "Hail be thou, Arthur the king,
+noblest of Britons! I will tell thee new tiding, of the kaiser
+Childric, the furious and the powerful, the strong and the bold. He is
+in Scotland arrived in a haven, and the homes consumeth, and wieldeth
+all our land in his own hand. He hath a host brave, all the strength
+of Rome; he saith with his boast, when men pour to him the wine, that
+thou darest not in any spot his attacks abide, neither in field, nor
+in wood, nor in ever any place. And if thou him abidest, he will thee
+bind; destroy thy people, and possess thy land."
+
+Oft was Arthur woe, but never worse than then; and he drew him
+backward, beside the burgh; called to counsel knights at need, barons
+and earls, and the holy bishops; and bade that they should him
+counsel, how he might in the realm with his army his honour maintain,
+and fight with Childric, the strong and the powerful, who hither would
+come, to help Colgrim. Then answered the Britons, that were there
+beside: "Go we right to London, and let him come after; and if he
+cometh riding, sorrow he shall abide; he himself and his host shall
+die!" Arthur approved all that his people counselled; forth he gan
+march until he came to London.
+
+Colgrim was in York, and there he abode Childric. Childric gan proceed
+over the North end, and took in his hand a great deal of land. All
+Scotland he gave to a thane of his, and all Northumberland he set in
+the hand of his brother; Galloway and Orkney he gave to an earl of
+his; himself he took the land from Humber into London. He thought
+never more of Arthur to have mercy, unless he would become his man,
+Arthur, Uther's son.
+
+Arthur was in London, with all the Britons; he summoned his forces
+over all this land, that every man, that good would grant to him,
+quickly and full soon to London should come. Then was England filled
+with harm; here was weeping and here was lament, and sorrow
+immoderate; mickle hunger and strife at every man's gate! Arthur sent
+over sea two good knights, to Howel his relation, who was to him
+dearest of men, who possessed Britanny, knight with the best; and bade
+him full soon, that he hither should come, sail to land, to help the
+people; for Childric had in hand much of this land, and Colgrim and
+Baldulf were come to him, and thought to drive Arthur the king out of
+the land; take from him his right, and his kingdom;—-then were his
+kindred disgraced with shameful injury; their worship lost in this
+worlds-realm: then were it better for the king, that he were not born!
+Howel heard this, the highest of Britanny; and he gan to call his good
+knights anon, and bade them to horse exceeding speedily, and go into
+France, to the free knights, and should say to them that they should
+come, quickly and full soon, to Michael's Mount, with mickle strength,
+all who would of silver and of gold, win worship in this worlds-realm.
+To Poitou he sent his good thanes; and some toward Flanders, exceeding
+quickly; and to Touraine, two there proceeded, and into Gascony,
+knights eke good, and ordered them to come with strength toward
+Michael's Mount; and ere they went to flood (embarked), they should
+have gifts good, that they might the blither depart from their land,
+and with Howel the fair come to this land, to help Arthur, noblest of
+kings. Thirteen days were passed since the messengers came there, then
+advanced they toward the sea, as the hail doth from the welkin; and
+two hundred ships were there well prepared, men filled them with folk,
+and forth they voyaged; the wind and the weather stood after their
+will; and they came to land at Hamtone. Up leapt from the ships the
+furious men; bare to the land helms and burnies; with spears and with
+shields they covered all the fields. There was many a bold Briton that
+threat had raised, they threatened greatly, by their quick life, that
+they would greet Childric the powerful, the bold kaiser, with much
+harm there. And if he would not flee away, and toward Alemaine
+proceed, and if he would in the land with fight resist; with his bold
+people the barks abide; here they should leave what to them were
+dearest of all, their heads and hands, and their white helms; "and so
+they shall in this land lose their friends, and fall into hell—the
+heathen hounds'"
+
+Arthur was in London, noblest of kings, and heard say sooth relation,
+that Howel the strong was come to land, forth-right to Hamtone, with
+thirty thousand knights, and with innumerable folk, that followed the
+king; Arthur towards him marched, with great bliss; with a mickle
+host, towards his relation. Together they came--bliss was among the
+folk--and they kissed and embraced, and spake familiarly; and anon
+forthright assembled their knights. Then were there together two good
+armies, of whom Howel should command thirty thousand knights, and
+Arthur had in land forty thousand in hand. Forth-right they marched
+toward the North end, toward Lincoln night and day, that Childric the
+kaiser besieged. But he the yet had nought won; for there were within
+seven thousand men, brave men and active, by day and night.
+
+Arthur with his forces marched toward the burgh; and Arthur
+fore-ordered his knights, by day and night, that they should proceed
+as still, as if they would steal; pass over the country, and cease any
+noise; horns and trumpets, all should be relinquished. Arthur took a
+knight, that was a brave man and active; and sent him to Lincoln to
+his dear men, and he said to them in sooth, with mouth, that Arthur
+would come, noblest of kings, at the midnight, and with him many a
+good knight.--"And ye within, then be ye ware, that when ye hear the
+din, that ye the gates unfasten; and sally out of the burgh, and fell
+your foes; and smite on Childric, the strong and the powerful; and we
+shall tell them British tales!"
+
+It was at the midnight, when the moon shone right south, Arthur with
+his host marched to the burgh; the folk was as still as if they would
+steal; forth they proceeded until they saw Lincoln. Thus gan he call,
+Arthur the keen man: "Where be ye, my knights, my dear-worthy
+warriors? See ye the tents, where Childric lieth on the fields;
+Colgrim and Baldulf, with bold strength; the Alemainish folk, that us
+hath harmed, and the Saxish folk, that sorrow to us promiseth; that
+all hath killed the highest of my kin; Constance and Constantine, and
+Uther, who was my father, and Aurelie Ambrosie, who was my father's
+brother, and many thousand men of my noble kindred? Go we out to them,
+and lay to the ground, and worthily avenge our kin and their realm;
+and all together forth-right now ride every good knight!" Then Arthur
+gan to ride, and the army gan to move, as if all the earth would be
+consumed; and smote in the fields among Childric's tents. That was the
+first man, that there gan to shout—-Arthur the noble man, who was
+Uther's son—-keenly and loud, as becometh a king: "Now aid us, Mary,
+God's mild mother! And I pray her son, that he be to us in succour!"
+Even with the words they turned their spears; pierced and slew all
+that they came nigh. And the knights out of the burgh marched against
+them (the enemy); if they fled to the burgh, there they were
+destroyed; if they fled to the wood, there they slaughtered them; come
+wherever they might come, ever they them slew. It is not in any book
+indited, that ever any fight were in this Britain, that mischief was
+so rife; for folk it was most miserable, that ever came to the land!
+There was mickle blood-shed, mischief was among the folk; death there
+was rife; the earth there became dun!
+
+Childric the kaiser had a castle here, in Lincoln's field, where he
+lay within, that was newly wrought, and exceeding well guarded; and
+there were with him Baldulf and Colgrim, and saw that their folk
+suffered death. And they anon forth-right, on with their burnies, and
+fled out of the castle, of courage bereft; and fled forth-right anon
+to the wood of Calidon. They had for companions seven hundred riders;
+and they left forty thousand slain, and deprived of life-day, felled
+to the ground; Alemainish men, with mischief destroyed, and the Saxish
+men, brought to the ground! Then saw Arthur, noblest of kings, that
+Childric was flown, and into Calidon gone, and Colgrim and Baldulf
+with him were gone into the high wood, into the high holm. And Arthur
+pursued after with sixty thousand knights of British people; the wood
+he all surrounded; and on one side they it felled, full seven miles,
+one tree upon another, truly fast; on the other side he surrounded it
+with his army, three days and three nights;—-that was to them mickle
+harm.
+
+Then saw Colgrim, as he lay therein, that there was without meat sharp
+hunger, and strife; nor they nor their horses help had any. And thus
+called Colgrim to the kaiser: "Say me, Lord Childric, sooth words; for
+what kind of thing lie we thus herein? Why should we not go out, and
+assemble our host, and begin fight with Arthur and with his knights?
+For better it is for us on land with honour to lie, than that we thus
+here perish for hunger; it grieveth us sore, to the destruction of the
+folk. Either send we again and again, and yearn Arthur's peace, and
+pray thus his mercy, and hostages deliver him, and make friendship
+with the free king." Childric heard this, where he lay within the
+dyke, and he answered with sorrowful voice: "If Baldulf it will, who
+is thine own brother, and more of our comrades, who with us are here,
+that we pray Arthur's peace, and make amity with him, after your will
+I will do it. For Arthur is esteemed very noble man in land; dear to
+all his men, and of royal kindred, all come of kings; he was Uther's
+son. And oft it befalleth, in many kind of land, where the good
+knights come to stern fight, that they who first gain, afterwards they
+it lose. And thus to us now is befallen here, and eft to us better
+will happen, if we may live." Soon forth-right answered all the
+knights: "We all praise this counsel, for thou hast well said!"
+
+They took twelve knights, and sent forth-right, where he was in tent,
+by the wood's end; and the one called anon with quick voice: "Lord
+Arthur, thy peace! We would speak with thee; hither the kaiser sent
+us, who is named Childric, and Colgrim and Baldulf, both together. Now
+and evermore they pray thy mercy; thy men they will become, and thy
+honour advance, and they will give to thee hostages enow, and hold
+thee for lord, as to thee shall be liefest of all, if they may depart
+hence with life into their land; and bring evil tidings. For here we
+have found sorrows of many kind; at Lincoln left our dear relatives;
+sixty thousand men, that there are slain. And if it were to thee will
+in heart, that we might pass over sea with sail, we would nevermore
+eft come here; for here we have lost our dear relatives. So long as is
+ever, here come we back never!" Then laughed Arthur, with loud
+voice:—-"Thanked be the Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that Childric
+the strong is tired of my land! My land he hath divided to all his
+knights; myself he thought to drive out of my country; hold me for
+base, and have my realm, and my kin all put to death, my folk all
+destroy. But of him it is happened, as it is of the fox, when he is
+boldest over the weald, and hath his full play, and fowls enow; for
+wildness he climbeth, and rocks he seeketh; in the wilderness holes to
+him worketh. Fare whosoever shall fare, he hath never any care; he
+weeneth to be of power the boldest of all animals. But when come to
+him the men under the hills, with horns, with hounds, with loud cries;
+the hunters there hollow, the hounds there give tongue, they drive the
+fox over dales and over downs, he fleeth to the holm, and seeketh his
+hole; in the furthest end in the hole he goeth; then is the bold fox
+of bliss all deprived, and men dig to him on each side; then is there
+most wretched the proudest of all animals! So was it with Childric,
+the strong and the rich; he thought all my kingdom to set in his own
+hand, but now I have driven him to the bare death, whether so
+(whatsoever) I will do, either slay or hang. Now will I give him
+peace, and let him speak with me; I will not him slay, nor hang, but
+his prayer I will receive. Hostages I will have of the highest of his
+men; their horses and weapons, ere they hence depart; and so they
+shall as wretches go to their ships; sail over sea to their good land,
+and there worthily dwell in their realm, and tell tidings of Arthur
+the king, how I them have freed, for my father's soul, and for my
+freedom solaced the wretches." Hereby was Arthur the king of honour
+deprived, was there no man so bold that durst him advise;--that
+repented him sore, soon thereafter!
+
+Childric came from covert to Arthur the king; and he there became his
+man, with all his knights. Four-and-twenty hostages Childric there
+delivered, all they were chosen, and noble men born; they delivered
+their horses, and their burnies, spears and shields, and their long
+swords; all they relinquished that they there had. Forth they gan to
+march until they came to the sea, where their good ships by the sea
+stood. The wind stood at will, the weather most favourable, and they
+shoved from the strand ships great and long; the land they all left,
+and floated with the waves, that no sight of land they might see. The
+water was still, after their will; they let together their sails
+glide, board against board, the men there discoursed and said that
+they would return eft to this land, and avenge worthily their
+relatives, and waste Arthur's land, and kill his folk, and win the
+castles, and work their pleasure.
+
+So they voyaged on the sea even so long, that they came between
+England and Normandy; they veered their luffs, and came toward land,
+so that they came full surely to Dartmouth at Totnes; with much bliss
+they approached to the land. So soon as they came on land, the folk
+they slew; the churls they drove off, that tilled the earth there; the
+knights they hung, that defended the land, all the good wives they
+sticked with knives; all the maidens they killed with murder; and all
+the learned men (clerics) they laid on embers. All the domestics (or
+baser sort) they killed with clubs; they felled the castles, the land
+they ravaged; the churches they consumed--grief was among the
+folk!--the sucking children they drowned in the water. The cattle that
+they took, all they slaughtered; to their inns they carried it, and
+boiled it and roasted; all they it took, that they came nigh. All day
+they sung of Arthur the king, and said that they had won homes, that
+they should hold in their power; and there they would dwell winter and
+summer. And if Arthur were so keen, that he would come to fight with
+Childric, the strong and the rich, they would of his back make a
+bridge, and take all the bones of the noble king, and tie them
+together with golden ties, and lay them in the hall door, where each
+man should go forth, to the worship of Childric, the strong and the
+rich! This was all their game, for Arthur the king's shame; but all it
+happened in otherwise, soon thereafter; their boast and their game
+befell to themselves to shame; and so doth well everywhere the man
+that so acteth.
+
+Childric the kaiser won all that he looked on with eyes; he took
+Somerset, and he took Dorset, and in Devonshire the folk all
+destroyed, and Wiltshire with hostility he greeted, he took all the
+lands unto the sea strand. Then at the last, then caused he horns and
+trumpets to be blown, and his host to be assembled, and forth he would
+march, and Bath all besiege, and eke Bristol about berow. This was
+their threat, ere they to Bath came. To Bath came the kaiser, and
+belay the castle there; and the men within bravely began; they mounted
+upon the stone walls, well weaponed over all, and defended the place
+against Childric the strong. There lay the kaiser, and Colgrim his
+companion, and Baldulf his brother, and many another.
+
+Arthur was by the North, and knew nought hereof; he proceeded over all
+Scotland, and set it in his own hand; Orkney and Galloway, Man and
+Moray, and all the lands that lay thereto. Arthur it weened to be
+certain thing, that Childric had departed to his own land, and that he
+never more would come here. When the tidings came to Arthur the king,
+that Childric the kaiser was come to land, and in the South end sorrow
+there wrought, then said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Alas! alas! that I
+spared my foe! that I had not with hunger destroyed him in the wood,
+or with sword cut him all to pieces! Now he yields to me meed for my
+good deeds. But so held me the Lord, who formed the daylight, he shall
+therefore abide bitterest of all bales--hard games;--his bane I will
+be! And Colgrim and Baldulf both I will kill, and all their people
+shall suffer death. If the Ruler of Heaven will grant it, I will
+worthily avenge all his hostile deeds; if the life in my breast may
+last to me, and the Power that formed moon and sun will grant it to
+me, never shall Childric eft deceive me!"
+
+Now called Arthur, noblest of kings:--"Where be ye, my knights, brave
+men and active! To horse, to horse, good warriors; and we shall march
+toward Bath speedily! Let high gallows be up raised, and bring here
+the hostages before our knights, and they shall hang on high trees!"
+There he caused to be destroyed four-and-twenty children, Alemainish
+men of very noble race.
+
+Then came tidings to Arthur the king, that Howel, his relation, was
+sick lying in Clud--therefore he was sorry--and there he left him.
+Forth he gan to push exceeding hastily, until he beside Bath
+approached to a plain; there he alighted, and all his knights; and on
+with their burnies the stern men, and he in five divisions separated
+his army.
+
+When he had duly set all, and it all beseemed, then he put on his
+burny, fashioned of steel, that an elvish smith made, with his
+excellent craft; he was named Wygar, the witty wright. His shanks he
+covered with hose of steel. Caliburn, his sword, he hung by his side;
+it was wrought in Avalon, with magic craft. A helm he set on his head,
+high of steel; thereon was many gemstone, all encompassed with gold;
+it was Uther's, the noble king's; it was named Goswhit, each other
+unlike. He hung on his neck a precious shield; its name was in British
+called Pridwen; therein was engraved with red gold tracings a precious
+image of God's mother. His spear he took in hand, that was named Ron.
+When he had all his weeds, then leapt he on his steed. Then might he
+behold, who stood beside, the fairest knight, that ever host should
+lead; never saw any man better knight none, than Arthur he was,
+noblest of race! Then called Arthur with loud voice: "Lo! where here
+before us the heathen hounds, who slew our ancestors with their wicked
+crafts; and they are to us in land loathest of all things. Now march
+we to them, and starkly lay on them, and avenge worthily our kindred,
+and our realm, and avenge the mickle shame by which they have
+disgraced us, that they over the waves should have come to Dartmouth.
+And all they are forsworn, and all they shall be destroyed; they shall
+be all put to death, with the Lord's assistance! March we now forward,
+fast together, even all as softly as if we thought no evil; and when
+we come to them, myself I will commence; foremost of all the fight I
+will begin. Now we shall ride, and over the land glide; and no man on
+pain of his life make noise, but fare quickly; the Lord us aid!" Then
+Arthur the rich man gan to ride; he proceeded over the weald, and Bath
+would seek.
+
+The tiding came to Childric, the strong and the rich, that Arthur came
+with host all ready to fight. Childric and his brave men leapt them to
+horse, and grasped their weapons—-they knew themselves to be hateful!
+
+Arthur saw this, noblest of kings; he saw a heathen earl advance
+against him, with seven hundred knights, all ready to fight. The earl
+himself approached before all his troop, and Arthur himself rode
+before all his host. Arthur the bold took Ron in hand; he extended
+(couched) the stark shaft, the stiff-minded king; his horse he let
+run, so that all the earth dinned. His shield he drew to his breast--
+the king was incensed--he smote Borel the earl throughout the breast,
+so that the heart sundered. And the king called anon, "The foremost is
+dead! Now help us the Lord, and the heavenly queen, who the Lord
+bore!" Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Now to them! now to
+them! The commencement is well done!" The Britons laid on them, as men
+should do on the wicked; they gave bitter strokes with axes and with
+swords. There fell of Childric's men full two thousand, so that never
+Arthur lost ever one of his men; there were the Saxish men of all folk
+most wretched, and the Alemainish men most miserable of all people!
+Arthur with his sword wrought destruction; all that he smote at, it
+was soon destroyed! The king was all enraged as is the wild boar, when
+he in the beech-wood meeteth many swine. Childric saw this, and gan
+him to turn, and bent him over the Avon, to save himself. And Arthur
+approached to him, as if it were a lion, and drove them to the flood,
+there many were slain; they sunk to the bottom five-and-twenty
+hundred, so that all Avon's stream was bridged with steel! Childric
+over the water fled, with fifteen hundred knights; he thought forth to
+push, and sail over the sea. Arthur saw Colgrim climb to the mount,
+retreat to the hill that standeth over Bath; and Baldulf went after
+him, with seven thousand knights; they thought on the hill to
+withstand nobly, defend them with weapons, and do injury to Arthur.
+
+When Arthur saw, noblest of kings, where Colgrim withstood, and eke
+battle wrought, then called the king, keenly loud: "My bold thanes,
+advance to the hills! For yesterday was Colgrim of all men keenest,
+but now it is to him all as to the goat, where he guards the hill;
+high upon the hill he fighteth with horns, when the wild wolf
+approacheth toward him. Though the wolf be alone, without each herd,
+and there were in a fold five hundred goats, the wolf to them goeth,
+and all them biteth. So will I now to-day Colgrim all destroy; I am
+the wolf and he is the goat; the man shall die!" The yet called
+Arthur, noblest of kings: "Yesterday was Baldulf of all knights
+boldest, but now he standeth on the hill, and beholdeth the Avon, how
+the steel fishes lie in the stream! Armed with sword, their life is
+destroyed; their scales float like gold-dyed shields; there float
+their fins, as if it were spears. These are marvellous things come to
+this land; such beasts on the hill, such fishes in the stream!
+Yesterday was the kaiser keenest of all kings; now is he become a
+hunter, and horns him follow; he flieth over the broad weald; his
+hounds bark; he hath beside Bath his hunting deserted; from his deer
+he flieth, and we it shall fell, and his bold threats bring to nought;
+and so we shall enjoy our rights gained." Even with the words that the
+king said, he drew his shield high before his breast; he grasped his
+long spear, his horse he gan spur. Nigh all so swift as the fowl
+flieth, five-and-twenty thousand of brave men, mad under arms,
+followed the king; they proceeded to the hill with great strength, and
+smote upon Colgrim with exceeding smart strokes. And Colgrim them
+there received, and felled the Britons to ground; in the foremost
+attack fell five hundred.
+
+Arthur saw that, noblest of kings, and wrathed him wondrously much,
+and thus gan to call Arthur, the noble man: "Where be ye, Britons, my
+bold men! Here stand before us our foes all chosen; my good warriors,
+lay we them to the ground!" Arthur grasped his sword right, and he
+smote a Saxish knight, so that the sword that was so good at the teeth
+stopt; and he smote another, who was this knight's brother, so that
+his helm and his head fell to the ground, the third blow he soon gave,
+and a knight in two clave. Then were the Britons greatly emboldened,
+and laid on the Saxons laws (blows) most strong with their long spears
+and with swords most strong; so that the Saxons there fell, and made
+their death-time, by hundreds and hundreds sank to the ground, by
+thousands and thousands fell there ever on the ground! When Colgrim
+saw where Arthur came toward him, Colgrim might not for the
+slaughtered flee on any side; there fought Baldulf beside his brother.
+Then called Arthur with loud voice: "Here I come, Colgrim! to the
+realm we two shall reach; now we shall divide this land, as shall be
+to thee loathest of all!" Even with the words that the king said, his
+broad sword he up heaved, and hardily down struck, and smote Colgrim's
+helm, so that he clove it in the midst, and clove asunder the burny's
+hood, so that it (the sword) stopt at the breast. And he smote toward
+Baldulf with his left hand, and struck off the head, forth with the
+helm.
+
+Then laughed Arthur, the noble king, and thus gan to speak with
+gameful words: "Lie thou there, Colgrim; thou wert climbed too high;
+and Baldulf, thy brother, he by thy side; now set I all this kingdom
+in your own hands; dales and downs, and all my good folk! Thou climbed
+on this hill wondrously high, as if thou wouldst ascend to heaven; but
+now thou shalt to hell, and there thou mayest know much of thy
+kindred. And greet thou there Hengest, that was fairest of knights,
+Ebissa, and Ossa, Octa, and more of thy kin, and bid them there dwell
+winter and summer; and we shall here in land live in bliss, pray for
+your souls, that happiness never come to them; and here shall your
+yones lie, beside Bath!"
+
+Arthur, the king, called Cador, the keen;--of Cornwall he was earl,
+the knight was most keen:--"Hearken to me, Cador, thou art mine own
+kin. Now is Childric flown, and awayward gone; he thinketh with safety
+again to come hither. But take of my host five thousand men, and go
+forth-right, by day and by night, until thou come to the sea, before
+Childric; and all that thou mayest win, possess it with joy; and if
+thou mayest with evil kill there the kaiser, I will give thee all
+Dorset to meed." All as the noble king these words had said, Cador
+sprang to horse, as spark it doth from fire; full seven thousand
+followed the earl. Cador the keen, and much of his kindred, proceeded
+over wealds, and over wilderness, over dales and over downs, and over
+deep waters. Cador knew the way that toward his country lay, by the
+nearest he proceeded full surely right toward Totnes, day and night,
+until he came there forth-right, so that Childric never knew any
+manner of his coming. Cador came to the country before Childric, and
+caused to advance before him all the folk of the land, churls full
+sagacious, with clubs exceeding great, with spears and with great
+staves, chosen for the purpose, and placed them all clean into the
+ships' holds, and ordered them there to stoop low, that Childric were
+not aware of them, and when his folk came, and in would climb, to
+grasp their bats, and bravely on smite; with their staves and with
+their spears to murder Childric's host. The churls did all, as Cador
+them taught. To the ships proceeded the valiant churls; in every ship
+a hundred and half. And Cador the keen withdrew, in toward a wood
+high, five miles from the place where the ships stood, and hid him a
+while, wondrously still. And Childric soon approached, over the weald,
+and would flee to the ships, and push from land. So soon as Cador saw
+this, who was the earl keen, that Childric was in land, between him
+and the churls, then called Cador, with loud voice: "Where be ye,
+knights, brave men and active? Bethink ye what Arthur, who is our
+noble king, at Bath besought us, ere we went from the host. Lo! where
+Childric wendeth, and will flee from the land, and thinketh to pass to
+Alemaine, where his ancestors are, and will obtain an army, and eft
+come hither, and will fare in hither; and thinketh to avenge Colgrim,
+and Baldulf, his brother, who rest at Bath. But he never shall abide
+the day, he shall not, if we may prevent him!"
+
+Even with the speech, that the powerful earl spake, and promptly he
+gan ride, that was stern in mood, the warriors most keen advanced out
+of the wood-shaw, and after Childric pursued, the strong and the rich
+Childric's knights looked behind them; they saw over the weald the
+standards wind, approach over the fields five thousand shields. Then
+became Childric careful in heart, and these words said the powerful
+kaiser: "This is Arthur the king, who will us all kill, flee we now
+quickly, and into ship go, and voyage forth with the water, reck we
+never whither!" When Childric the kaiser had said these words, then
+gan he to flee exceeding quickly, and Cador the keen came soon after
+him. Childric and his knights came to ship forthright; they weened to
+shove the strong ships from the land. The churls with their bats were
+there within, the bats they up heaved, and adown right swung, there
+was soon slain many a knight with their clubs; with their pitch-forks
+they felled them to ground, and Cador and his knights slew them
+behind. Then saw Childric, that it befell to them evilly; that all his
+mickle folk fell to the ground, now saw he there beside a hill
+exceeding great, the water floweth there under, that is named Teine,
+the hill is named Teinewic, thitherward fled Childric, as quickly as
+he might, with four-and-twenty knights. Then Cador saw, how it then
+fared there, that the kaiser fled, and toward the hill retreated, and
+Cador pursued after him, as speedily as he might, and came up to him,
+and overtook him soon. Then said Cador, the earl most keen: "Abide,
+abide, Childric! I will give thee Teinewic!" Cador heaved up his
+sword, and he Childric slew. Many that there fled, to the water they
+drew, in Teine the water, there they perished; Cador killed all that
+he found alive; and some they crept into the wood, and all he them
+there destroyed. When Cador had overcome them all, and eke all the
+land taken, he set peace most good, that thereafter long stood, though
+each man bare in hand rings of gold, durst never any man greet another
+evilly.
+
+Arthur was forth marched into Scotland; for Howel lay in Clud, fast
+inclosed. The Scots had besieged him with their wicked crafts, and if
+Arthur were not the earlier come, then were Howel taken, and all his
+folk there slain, and deprived of life day. But Arthur came soon, with
+good strength, and the Scots gan to flee far from the land, into
+Moray, with a mickle host. And Cador came to Scotland, where he Arthur
+found. Arthur and Cador proceeded into Clud, and found Howel there,
+with great bliss in health, of all his sickness whole he was become;
+great was the bliss that then was in the burgh! The Scots were in
+Moray, and there thought to dwell, and with their bold words made
+their boast, and said that they would rule the realm, and Arthur there
+abide, with bold strength, for Arthur durst never for his life come
+there. When Arthur heard, void of fear, what the Scots had said with
+their scornful words, then said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where art
+thou, Howel, highest of my kindred, and Cador the keen, out of
+Cornwall? Let the trumpets blow, and assemble our host, and at the
+midnight we shall march forth right toward Moray, our honour to win.
+If the Lord will it, who shaped the daylight, we shall them tell
+sorrowful tales, and fell their boast, and themselves kill." At the
+midnight Arthur forth-right arose; horns men gan to blow with loud
+sound; knights gan arise, and stern words to speak. With a great army
+he marched into Moray; forth gan press thirteen thousand in the
+foremost flock, men exceeding keen. Afterwards came Cador, the Earl of
+Cornwall, with seventeen thousand good thanes. Next came Howel, with
+his champions exceeding well, with one-and-twenty thousand noble
+champions. Then came Arthur himself, noblest of kings; with
+seven-and-twenty thousand followed them afterward; the shields there
+glistened, and light it gan to dawn.
+
+The tidings came to the Scots, there where they dwelt, how Arthur the
+king came toward their land, exceeding quickly, with innumerable folk.
+Then were they fearfullest, who ere were boldest, and gan to flee
+exceeding quickly into the water, where wonders are enow! That is a
+marvellous lake, set in middle-earth, with fen, and with reed, and
+with water exceeding broad; with fish, and with fowl, with evil
+things! The water is immeasurably broad; nikers therein bathe; there
+is play of elves in the hideous pool. Sixty islands are in the long
+water; in each of the islands is a rock high and strong; there nest
+eagles, and other great fowls. The eagles have a law by every king's
+day; whensoever any army cometh to the country, then fly the fowls far
+into the sky, many hundred thousands, and mickle fight make. Then is
+the folk without doubt, that sorrow is to come to them from people of
+some kind, that will seek the land. Two days or three thus shall this
+token be, ere foreign men approach to the land. Yet there is a
+marvellous thing to say of the water; there falleth in the lake, on
+many a side, from dales and from downs, and from deep valleys, sixty
+streams, all there collected; yet never out of the lake any man
+findeth that thereout they flow, except a small brook at one end, that
+from the lake falleth, and wendeth very stilly into the sea. The Scots
+were dispersed with much misery, over all the many mounts that were in
+the water. And Arthur sought ships, and gan to enter them; and slew
+there without number, many and enow; and many a thousand there was
+dead, because all bread failed them. Arthur the noble was on the east
+side; Howel the good was on the south half; and Cador the keen guarded
+them by the north; and his inferior folk he set all by the west side.
+Then were the Scots accounted for sots, where they lay around the
+cliffs, fast inclosed; there were sixty thousand with sorrow
+destroyed.
+
+Then was come into haven the King of Ireland; twelve miles from
+Arthur, where he lay with an army, to help the Scots, and Howel to
+destroy. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and took one host of
+his, and thitherward marched; and found the King Gillomar, who was
+come there to land. And Arthur fought with him, and would give him no
+peace (quarter), and felled the Irish men exceedingly to the ground.
+And Gillomar with twelve ships departed from the land, and proceeded
+to Ireland, with harm most strong. And Arthur in the land slew all
+that he found; and afterwards he went to the lake, where he left his
+relation Howel the fair, noblest of Britain, except Arthur, noblest of
+kings. Arthur found Howel, where he was by the haven, by the broad
+lake, where he had abode. Then rejoiced greatly the folk in the host,
+of Arthur's arrival, and of his noble deeds; there was Arthur
+forth-right, two days and two nights. The Scots lay over the rocks,
+many thousands dead, with hunger destroyed, most miserable of all
+folk!
+
+On the third day, it gan to dawn fair; then came toward the host all
+that were hooded, and three wise bishops, in book well learned;
+priests and monks, many without number; canons there came, many and
+good, with all the reliques that were noblest in the land, and yearned
+Arthur's peace, and his compassion. Thither came the women, that dwelt
+in the land; they carried in their arms their miserable children; they
+wept before Arthur wondrously much, and their fair hair threw to the
+earth; cut off their locks, and there down laid at the king's feet,
+before all his people; set their nails to their face, so that
+afterwards it bled. They were naked nigh (nearly) all clean; and
+sorrowfully they gan to call to Arthur the king, and together thus
+said, where they were in affliction: "King, we are on earth most
+wretched of all folk; we yearn thy mercy, through the mild God! Thou
+hast in this land our people slain, with hunger and with strife, and
+with many kind of harms; with weapon, with water, and with many
+mischiefs our children made fatherless and deprived of comfort. Thou
+art a Christian man, and we are also; the Saxish men are heathen
+hounds. They came to this land, and this folk here killed; if we
+obeyed them, that was because of our harm, for we had no man that
+might accord us with them. They did us much woe, and thou dost to us
+also; the heathens us hate, and the Christians make us sorrowful;--
+whereto and what shall become of us!"-—quoth the women to the king.
+"Give us yet the men alive, who lie over these rocks; and if thou
+givest grace to this multitude, thy honour will be the greater, now
+and evermore. Lord Arthur our king, loosen our bonds! Thou has taken
+(conquered) all this land, and all this folk is overcome; we are under
+thy foot; in thee is all the remedy."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of kings; this weeping and this lament, and
+immoderate sorrow; then took he to counsel, and had pity in heart; he
+found in his counsel to do what they him prayed, he gave them life, he
+gave them limb, and their land to hold. He caused the trumpets to be
+blown, and the Scots to be summoned; and they came out of the rocks to
+the ships; on every side approached toward land. They were greatly
+harmed by the sharp hunger; and oaths they swore, that they would not
+deceive; and they then gave hostages to the king, and all full soon
+became the king's men. And then they gan depart; the folk there
+separated, each man to the end, where he was dwelling, and Arthur
+there set peace, good with the best.
+
+Then said Arthur: "Where art thou, Howel, my relation, dearest of men
+to me? Seest thou this great lake, where the Scots are harmed, seest
+thou these high trees, and seest thou these eagles fly? In this fen is
+fish innumerable. Seest thou these islands, that stand over this
+water?" Marvellous it seemed to Howel, of such a sight, and he
+wondered greatly by the water-flood, and thus there spake Howel, of
+noble race: "Since I was born man of my mother's bosom, saw I in no
+land things thus wonderful, as I here before me behold with eyes!" The
+Britons wondered wondrously much. Then spake Arthur, noblest of kings:
+"Howel, mine own relative, dearest to me of men, listen to my words,
+of a much greater wonder that I will tell to thee in my sooth speech.
+By this lake's end, where this water floweth, is a certain little
+lake, to the wonder of men! It is in length four-and-sixty palms; it
+is in measure in breadth five-and-twenty feet; five feet it is deep,
+elves it dug! Four-cornered it is, and therein is fish of four kinds,
+and each fish in his end where he findeth his kind, may there none go
+to other, except all as belongeth to his kind. Was never any man born,
+nor of so wise craft chosen, live he ever so long, that may understand
+it, what letteth (hindereth) the fish to swim to the others; for there
+is nought between but water clean!" The yet spake Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Howel, in this land's end, nigh the sea-strand, is a lake
+exceeding great--the water is evil--and when the sea floweth, as if it
+would rage, and falleth in the lake exceeding quickly, the lake is
+never the more increased in water. But when the sea falleth in (ebbs),
+and the ground becomes fair, and in it is all in its old seat, then
+swelleth the lake, and the waves darken; out the waves there leap,
+exceeding great, flow out on the land, and the people soon terrify. If
+any man cometh there, that knoweth nought thereof, to behold the
+marvel by the sea strand, if he turneth his face toward the lake, be
+he nought (never) so low born, full well he shall be saved, the water
+glideth him beside, and the man there remaineth easy, after his will
+he dwelleth there full still, so that he is not because of the water
+anything injured!" Then said Howel, noble man of Brittany: "Now I hear
+tell a wonderful story, and marvellous is the Lord that it all made!"
+
+Then said Arthur, noblest of kings. "Blow ye my horns with loud noise,
+and say ye to my knights, that I will march forth-right." Trumpets
+there were blown, horns there resounded; bliss was in the host with
+the busy king, for each was solaced, and proceeded toward his land.
+And the king forbade them, by their bare life, that no man in the
+world should be so mad, nor person so unwise, that he should break his
+peace; and if any man did it, he should suffer doom. Even with the
+words the army marched, there sung warriors marvellous songs of Arthur
+the king, and of his chieftains, and said in song, to this world's end
+never more would be such a king as Arthur, through all things, king
+nor caiser, in ever any realm!
+
+Arthur proceeded to York, with folk very surprising (numerous), and
+dwelt there six weeks with much joy. The burgh walls were broken and
+fallen down, that Childric all consumed, and the halls all clean. Then
+called the king a distinguished priest, Pirai,--he was an exceeding
+wise man, and learned in book:--"Pirai, thou art mine own priest, the
+easier it shall be for thee." The king took a rood, holy and most
+good, and gave to Pirai in hand, and therewith very much land, and the
+archbishop's staff he there gave to Pirai;--ere was Pirai a good
+priest, now is he archbishop! Then bade him Arthur, noblest of kings,
+that he should arear churches, and restore the hymns, and take charge
+of God's folk, and rule them fair. And he bade all his knights to deem
+right (just) dooms, and the earth-tillers to take to their craft, and
+every man to greet other. And what man soever did worse than the king
+had ordered, he would drive him to a bare burning, and if it were a
+base man, he should for that hang. The yet spake Arthur, noblest of
+kings, ordered that each man who had lost his land by whatsoever kind
+of punishment he were bereaved, that he should come again, full
+quickly and full soon--the rich and the low--and should have eft his
+own, unless he were so foully conditioned, that he were traitor to his
+lord, or toward his lord forsworn, whom the king should deem lost
+(beyond the limit of pardon). There came three brethren, that were
+royally born, Loth, and Angel, and Urien;—-well are such three men!
+These three chieftains came to the king, and set on their knees before
+the caiser:--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings, and thy people
+with thee; ever may they well be! We are three brethren, born of
+kings. All our rightful land is gone out of our hand; for the heathen
+men have made us poor, and wasted us all Leoneis, Scotland, and Moray.
+And we pray thee, for God's love, that thou be to us in aid, and for
+thy great honour, that thou be mild to us, and give us our rightful
+land; and we shall love thee, and hold thee for lord, in each
+land-wise." Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, how these three
+knights fair besought him; he had compassion in heart, and began
+speak, and said these words--best of all kings:--"Urien, become my
+man; thou shalt to Moray again; thereof thou shalt be called king of
+the land, and high in my court (or host), with thy forces. And to
+Angel I set in hand Scotland altogether; to have it in hand, and be
+king of the land, from the father to the son; thereof thou shalt my
+man become. And thou, Loth, my dear friend--God be to thee mild!-—thou
+hast my sister to wife; the better it shall be for thee. I give thee
+Leoneis, that is a land fair; and I will lay (add) thereto lands most
+good, beside the Humber, worth an hundred pounds. For my father Uther,
+the while that he was king here, loved well his daughter, who was his
+desire esteemed; and she is my sister, and sons she hath twain; they
+are to me in land dearest of all children." Thus spake Arthur the
+king. Then was Walwain a little child; so was the other, Modred his
+brother. But alas! that Modred was born; much harm therefore came!
+Arthur proceeded to London, and with him his people; he held in the
+land a mickle husting, and established all the laws that stood in his
+elders' days; all the good laws that era here stood; he set peace, he
+set protection, and all freedoms.
+
+From thence he marched to Cornwall, to Cador's territory; he found
+there a maid extremely fair. This maiden's mother was of Romanish men,
+Cador's relative; and the maid Cador on him bestowed, and he received
+her fair, and softly her fed. She was of noble race, of Romanish men;
+was in no land any maid so fair, of speech and of deeds, and of
+manners most good; she was named Wenhaver, fairest of women. Arthur
+took her to wife, and loved her wondrously much; this maiden he gan
+wed, and took her to his bed. Arthur was in Cornwall all the winter
+there; and all for Wenhaver's love, dearest of women to him.
+
+When the winter was gone, and summer came there anon, Arthur bethought
+him what he might do, that his good folk should not lie there inert.
+He marched to Exeter, at the midfeast (St. John Baptist?), and held
+there his husting of his noble folk, and said that he would go into
+Ireland, and win all the kingdom to his own hand; unless the King
+Gillomar the sooner came ere to him, and spake with him with good
+will, and yearned Arthur's peace, he would waste his land, and go to
+him evilly in hand, with fire and with steel work hostile game, and
+the land-folk slay, who would stand against him. Even with the words
+that the king said, then answered the folk, fair to the king: "Lord
+king, hold thy word, for we are all ready, to go and to ride over all
+at thy need." There was many a bold Briton that had boar's glances;
+heaved up their brows, enraged in their thought. They went toward
+their inns, knights with their men: they got ready burnies, prepared
+helms, they wiped their dear horses with linen cloths; they sheared,
+they shod—-the men were bold! Some shaped (or shaved) horn; some
+shaped bone; some prepared steel darts; some made thongs, good and
+very strong; some bent spears, and made ready shields. Arthur caused
+to be bidden over all his kingdom, that every good knight should come
+to him forth-right, and every brave man should come forth-right anon;
+and whoso should remain behind, his limbs he should lose, and whoso
+should come gladly, he should become rich.
+
+Seven nights after Easter, when men had fasted, then came all the
+knights to ship forth-right; the wind stood to them in hand
+(favourably), that drove them to Ireland. Arthur marched in the land,
+and the people destroyed; much folk he there slew, and he took cattle
+enow; and ever he ordered each man church-peace to hold. The tiding
+came to the king, who was lord of the land, that Arthur the king was
+come there, and much harm there wrought. He assembled all his people,
+over his kingdom; and his Irish folk marched to the fight, against
+Arthur the noble king. Arthur and his knights they weaponed them
+forth-right, and advanced against them, a numerous folk. Arthur's men
+were with arms all covered, the Irish men were nearly naked, with
+spears and with axes, and with sæxes exceeding sharp. Arthur's men let
+fly at them numerous darts, and killed the Irish folk; and greatly it
+felled; they might not this sustain, through any kind of thing, but
+fled away quickly, very many thousands. And Gillomar the king fled,
+and awayward drew, and Arthur pursued after him, and caught the king;
+he took by the hand the king of the land.
+
+Arthur the noble sought lodging; in his mood it was the easier to him,
+that Gillomar was so nigh him. Now did Arthur, noblest of kings, very
+great friendship before all his folk, he caused the king to be clothed
+with each pride (richly), and eke by Arthur he sate, and eke with
+himself ate; with Arthur he drank wine—that to mm was mickle unthank.
+Nevertheless when he saw that Arthur was most glad, then said Gillomar
+to him—in his heart he was sore: "Lord Arthur, thy peace! Give me limb
+and give me life, and I will become thy man, and deliver thee my three
+sons, my dear sons, to do all thy will. And yet I will do more, if
+thou wilt give me grace; I will deliver thee hostages exceeding rich,
+children some sixty, noble and most mighty. And yet I will more, if
+thou givest me grace; each year of my land seven thousand pounds, and
+send them to thy land, and sixty marks of gold. And yet I will more,
+if thou wilt give me grace; and all the steeds, with all their
+trappings, the hawks, and the hounds, and my rich treasures I give
+thee in hand, of all my land. And when thou hast this done, I will
+take the reliques of Saint Columkille, who did God's will, and Saint
+Brandan's head, that God himself hallowed, and Saint Bride's right
+foot, that is holy and most good, and reliques enow, that came out of
+Rome, and swear to thee in sooth, that I will thee not deceive; but I
+will love thee, and hold thee for lord, hold thee for high king, and
+myself be thy underling."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and he gan laugh with loud voice,
+and he gan answer with gracious words: "Be now glad, Gillomar; be not
+thy heart sore; for thou art a wise man—-the better therefore shall it
+be to thee, for ever one ought worthily a wise man to greet,--for thy
+wisdom shall it not be the worse for thee, much thou me offerest, the
+better it shall be to thee. Here forth right, before all my knights, I
+forgive thee the more, all the half-part, of gold and of treasure; but
+thou shalt become my man, and half the tribute send each year into my
+land. Half the steeds, and half the weeds (garments), half the hawks,
+and half the hounds, that thou me offerest, I will relinquish to thee,
+but I will have the children of thy noble men, who are to them dearest
+of all; I may the better believe thee. And so thou shalt dwell in thy
+honour in thy kingdom, in thy right territory; and I will give to
+thee, that the king shall not do wrong to thee, unless he pay for it
+with his bare back!" Thus it said Arthur, noblest of kings. Then had
+he all Ireland all together in his own hand, and the king became his
+man, and delivered him his three sons.
+
+Then spake Arthur to his good knights: "Go we to Iceland, and take we
+it in our hand." The host there marched, and to Iceland came. The king
+was named Ælcus, high man of the land, he heard the tiding of Arthur
+the king; he did all as a wiseman, and marched against him anon; anon
+forth-right, with sixteen knights; he bare in his hand a mickle wand
+(sceptre) of gold. So soon as he saw Arthur, he bent him on his knees,
+and quoth these words to him—-the king was afraid: —-"Welcome, sir
+Arthur! welcome, lord' Here I deliver thee in hand all together
+Iceland, thou shalt be my high king, and I will be thy underling. I
+will obey thee, as man shall do his master, and I will become here thy
+man, and deliver thee my dear son, who is named Escol; and thou shalt
+him honour (or reward), and dub him to knight, as thine own man. His
+mother I have to wife, the king's choice daughter of Russia. And eke
+each year I will give thee money, seven thousand pounds of silver and
+gold, and in every counsel be ready at thy need. This I will swear to
+thee, upon my sword; the relique is in the hilt, the noblest of this
+land; like as me shall like, will I never be false to thee!"
+
+Arthur heard this noblest of kings. Arthur was winsome where he had
+his will, and he was exceeding stern with his enemies. Arthur heard
+the mild words of the monarch; he granted him all that he yearned;
+hostages and oaths, and all his proffers. Then heard say sooth words
+the King of Orkney, exceeding keen, who was named Gonwais, a heathen
+warrior, that Arthur the king would come to his land; with a mickle
+fleet sail to his country. Gonwais proceeded towards him, with his
+wise thanes, and set to Arthur in hand all Orkney's land, and
+two-and-thirty islands, that thither in heth, and his homage, with
+much reverence. And he had (made) to him in covenant, before all his
+people, each year to wit, full sixty ships at his own cost to bring
+them to London, filled truly with good sea-fish. This covenant he
+confirmed, and hostages he found, and oaths he swore good, that he
+would not deceive. And afterwards he took leave, and forth he gan
+wend:--"Lord, have well good day! I will come when I may, for now thou
+art my lord, dearest of all kings." When Arthur had done this, the yet
+he would more undertake; he took his good writs, and sent to Gutlond;
+and greeted the King Doldanim, and bade him soon come to him, and
+himself become his man, and bring with him his two sons.—-"And if thou
+wilt not that, do what thou wilt, and I will send thee sixteen
+thousand noble warriors, to thy mickle harm, who shall waste thy land,
+and slay thy people, and set the land as to them best seemeth, and
+thyself bind, and to me bring." The king heard this, the threat of the
+kaiser, and he speedily took his fair weeds, hounds and hawks, and his
+good horses, much silver, much gold; his two sons in his hand. And
+forth he gan wend to Arthur the king, and said these words Doldanim
+the good: "Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings' Here I bring twain,
+my sons both; their mother is of king's race, she is mine own queen; I
+won her with spoil, out of Russia. Here I deliver thee my dear sons,
+and myself I will become thy man. And I will send thee tribute of my
+land, every year as thin? bestowed, I will send thee into London seven
+thousand pounds. That I will swear, that I will never be false, but
+here I will become thy man—-thy honour is the greater--so long as is
+ever, I will deceive thee never!"
+
+Arthur took his messengers, and sent to Winetland, to Rumareth the
+king, and bade him know in haste, that he had in his hand Britain and
+Scotland, Gutland and Ireland, Orcany and Iceland. He ordered Rumareth
+to come, and bring him his eldest son; and if he would not do that, he
+would drive him from land, and if he might him capture, he would slay
+him or hang, and destroy all his land, his people exterminate.
+Rumareth heard this, the rich King of Winet; greatly he was afraid,
+all as the others were ere; loath to him were the tidings from Arthur
+the king. Nevertheless the King Rumareth hearkened counsels; he took
+his eldest son, and twelve good earls, and proceeded to Arthur the
+noble king, and sate at his feet, and gan him fair greet: "Hail be
+thou, Arthur, noblest of Britons' I hight Rumareth, the King of
+Winetland, enow I have heard declared of thy valour; that thou art
+wide known, keenest of all kings. Thou hast won many kingdom all to
+thine own hand, there is no king in land that may thee withstand, king
+nor kaiser, in ever any combat; of all that thou beginnest, thou dost
+thy will. Here am I to thee come, and brought thee my eldest son; here
+I set thee in hand myself and my kingdom, and my dear son, and all my
+people, my wife and my weeds, and all my possessions, on condition
+that thou give me protection against thy fierce attacks. And be thou
+my high king, and I will be thy underling, and send thee to hand five
+hundred pounds of gold; these gifts I will thee find, every year."
+
+Arthur granted him all that the king yearned, and afterwards he held
+communing with his good thanes, and said that he would return again
+into this land, and see Wenhaver, the comely queen of the country.
+Trumpets he caused to be blown, and his army to assemble; and to ship
+marched the thanes wondrous blithe. The wind still stood them at will;
+weather as they would; blithe they were all therefore; up they came to
+Grumesby. That heard soon the highest of this land, and to the queen
+came tiding of Arthur the king, that he was come in safety, and his
+folk in prosperity. Then were in Britain joys enow! Here was fiddling
+and song, here was harping among, pipes and trumps sang there merrily.
+Poets there sung of Arthur the king, and of the great honour, that he
+had won. Folk came in concourse of many kind of land; wide and far the
+folk was in prosperity. All that Arthur saw, all it submitted to him,
+rich men and poor, as the hail that falleth; was there no Briton so
+wretched, that he was not enriched!
+
+Here man may tell of Arthur the king, how he afterwards dwelt here
+twelve years, in peace and in amity, in all fairness. No man fought
+with him, nor made he any strife; might never any man bethink of bliss
+that were greater in any country than in this; might never man know
+any so mickle joy, as was with Arthur, and with his folk here!
+
+I may say how it happened, wondrous though it seem. It was on a
+yule-day, that Arthur lay in London; then were come to him men of all
+his kingdoms, of Britain, of Scotland, of Ireland, of Iceland, and of
+all the lands that Arthur had in hand; and all the highest thanes,
+with horses and with swains. There were come seven kings' sons, with
+seven hundred knights; without the folk that obeyed Arthur. Each had
+in heart proud thoughts, and esteemed that he were better than his
+companion. The folk was of many a land; there was mickle envy; for the
+one accounted himself high, the other much higher. Then blew men the
+trumpets, and spread the tables; water men brought on floor, with
+golden bowls; next soft clothes, all of white silk. Then sate Arthur
+down, and by him Wenhaver the queen; next sate the earls, and
+thereafter the barons; next the knights, all as men them disposed. And
+the high-born men bare the meat even forth-right then to the knights;
+then toward the thanes, then toward the swains, then toward the
+porters, forth at the board. The people became angered, and blows
+there were rife; at first they threw the loaves, the while that they
+lasted, and the silver bowls, filled with wine, and afterwards with
+the fists approached to necks. Then leapt there forth a young man, who
+came out of Winetland; he was given to Arthur to hold as hostage; he
+was Rumareth's son, the King of Winet. Thus said the knight there to
+Arthur the king: "Lord Arthur, go quickly into thy chamber, and thy
+queen with thee, and thy known relatives, and we shall decide this
+combat against these foreign warriors." Even with the words he leapt
+to the board where lay the knives before the sovereign; three knives
+he grasped, and with the one he smote the knight in the neck, that
+first began the same fight, so that his head on the floor fell to the
+ground. Soon he slew another, this same thane's brother; ere the
+swords came, seven he felled. There was fight exceeding great; each
+man smote other; there was much blood shed, mischief was among the
+folk!
+
+Then approached the king out of his chamber; with him an hundred
+nobles, with helms and with burnies; each bare in his right hand a
+white steel brand. Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Sit ye, sit
+ye quickly, each man on his life! And whoso will not that do, he shall
+be put to death. Take ye me the same man, that this fight first began,
+and put withy on his neck, and draw him to a moor, and put him in a
+low fen, there he shall lie. And take ye all his dearest kin, that ye
+may find, and strike off the heads of them with your broad swords, the
+women that ye may find of his nearest kindred, carve ye off their
+noses, and let their beauty go to destruction; and so I will all
+destroy the race that he of came. And if I evermore subsequently hear,
+that any of my folk, of high or of low, eft arear strife on account of
+this same slaughter, there shall ransom him neither gold nor any
+treasure, fine horse nor war-garment, that he should not be dead, or
+with horses drawn in pieces—-that is of each traitor the law! Bring ye
+the reliques, and I will swear thereon; and so, knights, shall ye,
+that were at this fight, earls and barons, that ye will not it break."
+First swore Arthur, noblest of kings; then swore earls, then swore
+barons; then swore thanes, then swore swains, that they nevermore the
+strife would arear. Men took all the dead, and carried them to
+burial-place. Afterwards men blew the trumpets, with noise exceeding
+merry; were he lief, were he loath, each there took water and cloth,
+and then sate down reconciled to the board, all for Arthur's dread,
+noblest of kings. Cupbearers there thronged, gleemen there sung; harps
+gan resound, the people was in joy. Thus full seven nights was all the
+folk treated.
+
+Afterwards it saith in the tale, that the king went to Cornwall; there
+came to him anon one that was a crafty workman, and met the king, and
+fair him greeted:—-"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings' I am thine
+own man; through many land I have gone; I know of tree-works
+(carpentry) wondrous many crafts. I heard say beyond the sea new
+tidings, that thy knights gan to fight at thy board, on a midwinter's
+day many there fell; for their mickle mood wrought murderous play, and
+for their high lineage each would be within. But I will thee work a
+board exceeding fair, that thereat may sit sixteen hundred and more,
+all turn about, so that none be without; without and within, man
+against man. And when thou wilt ride, with thee thou mightest it
+carry, and set it where thou wilt, after thy will, and then thou
+needest never fear, to the world's end, that ever any moody knight at
+thy board may make fight, for there shall the high be even with the
+low." Timber was caused to be brought, and the board to be begun; in
+four weeks' time the work was completed.
+
+At a high day the folk was assembled, and Arthur himself approached
+soon to the board, and ordered all his knights to the board
+forth-right. When all were seated, knights to their meat, then spake
+each with other, as if it were his brother; all they sate about; was
+there none without. Every sort of knight was there exceeding well
+disposed, all they were one by one (seated), the high and the low,
+might none there boast of other kind of drink other than his comrades,
+that were at the board. This was the same board that Britons boast of,
+and say many sorts of leasing, respecting Arthur the king. So doth
+every man, that another can love; if he is to him too dear, then will
+he lie, and say of him more honour than he is worth; no man is he so
+wicked, that his friend will not act well to him. Eft if among folk
+enmity areareth, in ever any time between two men, men can say leasing
+of the hateful one, though he were the best man that ever ate at
+board, the man that to him were loath, he can him last find! It is not
+all sooth nor all falsehood that minstrels sing; but this is the sooth
+respecting Arthur the king. Was never ere such king, so doughty
+through all things! For the sooth stands in the writings how it is
+befallen, from beginning to the end, of Arthur the king, no more nor
+less but as his laws (or acts) were.
+
+But Britons loved him greatly, and oft of him lie, and say many things
+respecting Arthur the king that never was transacted in this
+worlds-realm! Enow may he say, who the sooth will frame, marvellous
+things respecting Arthur the king. Then was Arthur most high, his folk
+most fair, so that there was no knight well esteemed, nor of his
+manners (or deeds) much assured, in Wales nor in England, in Scotland
+nor in Ireland, in Normandy nor in France, in Flanders nor in Denmark,
+nor in ever any land, that on this side of Muntgiu standeth, that were
+esteemed good knight, nor his deeds accounted (brave or aught), unless
+he could discourse of Arthur, and of his noble court, his weapons, and
+his garments, and his horsemen, say and sing of Arthur the young, and
+of his strong knights, and of their great might, and of their wealth,
+and how well it them became. Then were he welcome in this
+worlds-realm, come whereso he came, and though he were at Rome, all
+that heard of Arthur tell, it seemed to them great marvel of the good
+king!
+
+And so it was foreboded, ere he were born; so said him Merlin, that
+was a prophet great, that a king should come of Uther Pendragon, that
+gleemen should make a board of this king's breast, and thereto should
+sit poets most good, and eat their will, ere they thence departed, and
+wine-draughts out draw from this king's tongue, and drink and revel
+day and night; this game should last them to the world's end.
+
+And yet said him Merlin more that was to come, that all that he looked
+on to his feet to him should bow. The yet said him Merlin, a marvel
+that was greater, that there should be immoderate care (sorrow) at
+this king's departure. And of this king's end will no Briton believe
+it, except it be the last death, at the great doom, when our Lord
+judgeth all folk. Else we cannot deem of Arthur's death, for he
+himself said to his good Britons, south in Cornwall, where Walwain was
+slain, and himself was wounded wondrously much, that he would fare
+into Avalon, into the island, to Argante the fair, for she would with
+balm heal his wounds,--and when he were all whole, he would soon come
+to them. This believed the Britons, that he will thus come, and look
+ever when he shall come to his land, as he promised them, ere he hence
+went.
+
+Arthur was in the world wise king and powerful, good man and peaceful,
+his men him loved. Knights he had proud, and great in their mood, and
+they spake to the king of marvellous thing, and thus the assemblage
+said to the high king: "Lord Arthur, go we to the realm of France, and
+win all the land to thine own hand, drive away all the French, and
+their king slay; all the castles occupy, and set (garrison) them with
+Britons, and rule in the realm with fierce strength" Then answered
+Arthur, noblest of kings "Your will I will do, but ere (previously) I
+will go to Norway, and I will lead with me Loth my brother-in-law, he
+who is Walwain's father, whom I well love. For new tidings are come
+from Norway, that Sichelm the king is there dead, his people has left,
+and he hath ere bequeathed all his kingdom to Loth. For the king is of
+all bereaved, son and eke daughter, and Loth is his sister's son—-the
+better to him shall it befall—-for I will make him new king in Norway,
+and well instruct him to govern well the people. And when I have done
+thus, I will afterwards come home, and get ready my army, and pass
+into France, and if the king withstandeth me, and will not yearn my
+peace, I will fell him with fight to the ground"
+
+Arthur caused to be blown horns and trumpets, and caused to be
+summoned to the sea the Britons most bold. Ships he had good by the
+sea-flood, fifteen hundred pushed from the land, and flew along the
+sea, as if they had flight (wings), and bent their course into Norway,
+with bold strength. So soon as they came, they took haven, with mickle
+strength they stept (disembarked) on the realm Arthur sent his
+messengers wide over the land, and ordered them to come soon, and have
+Loth for king, and if they would not that, he would slay them all.
+Then they took their messengers, the Norwegian earls, and sent to the
+king, and bade him back go—-"And if thou wilt not depart, thou shalt
+have here sorrow and care; for so long as is ever, that shall never
+come to pass, that we shall raise a foreign man for king. For if
+Sichelm is departed (dead), here are others choice, whom we may by our
+will raise to be king. And this is the sooth; there is no other,
+either move thee awayward, and turn thee right homeward, either to-day
+a se'nnight, thou shalt have great fight."
+
+The Norwegian earls betook them to counsel, that a king they would
+have of their own race, for all Sichelm's words they held to be
+folly.--"And so long as is ever, it shall not ever stand! But we shall
+take Riculf, who is an earl exceeding powerful, and raise him to be
+king--this is to us pleasing—-and assemble our forces over all this
+country, and march towards Arthur, and defeat him with fight, and Loth
+we shall chase, and drive from land, or else we shall fell him with
+fight." They took Riculf, the Earl of Norway, and raised him to be
+king, though it were not to him by right, and they assembled their
+host over Norway's land. And Arthur on his part, over the land gan
+march; the land he through passed, and the burghs he consumed, goods
+he took enow, and much folk he there slew. And Riculf gan him ride
+against Arthur anon; together they came, and fight they began. The
+Britons advanced to them--woe there was rife! Swords exceeding long
+they plucked out of sheath; heads flew on the field, faces paled; man
+against man set shaft to breast; burnies there brake; the Britons were
+busy, shivered shields, warriors there fell! And so all the daylight
+lasted this great fight; moved they east, moved they west, there was
+it the worse to the Norwegians; moved they south, moved they north the
+Norwegians there fell. The Britons were bold, the Norwegians they
+killed; the Norwegian men there fell, five-and-twenty thousand, and
+Riculf the king was there slain, and deprived of life day; little
+there remained of the folk; whoso had the wretched life, they yearned
+Arthur's peace. Arthur looked on Loth, who was to him well dear, and
+thus gan to him to call, Arthur the rich man: "Loth, wend hither to
+me, thou art my dear relative. Here I give to thee all this kingdom;
+of me thou shalt it hold, and have me for protector."
+
+Then was Walwain thither come, Loth's eldest son; from the pope of
+Rome, who was named Supplice, who long had him brought up, and made
+him knight. Full well was it bestowed, that Walwain was born to be
+man, for Walwain was full noble-minded, in each virtue he was good; he
+was liberal, and knight with the best. All Arthur's folk was greatly
+emboldened, for Walwain the keen, that was come to the host; and for
+his father Loth, who was chosen to be king. Then spake Arthur with
+him, and bade him hold good peace, and bade him love his peaceful
+people, and those that would not hold peace, to fell them to ground.
+
+The yet called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons?
+March ye now forth-right; prepare ye by the flood my good ships." All
+did the knights as Arthur them ordered. When the ships were ready,
+Arthur gan to the sea fare; with him he took his knights, his
+Norwegian thanes, and his bold Britons, and proceeded forth with the
+waves; and the doughty king came into Denmark; he caused his tents to
+be pitched, wide over the fields; trumpets he caused to be blown, and
+his coming to be announced.
+
+Then was in Denmark a king of much might; he was named Æscil, the
+highest over the Danes; he saw that Arthur won all that was to him in
+will. Æscil the king bethought him what he might do; loath it was to
+him to lose his dear people. He saw that with strength he might not
+stand against Arthur, with ever any combat. He sent greeting to Arthur
+the king; hounds and hawks, and horses exceeding good; silver and red
+gold, with prudent words. And yet he did more, Æscil the great; he
+sent to the highest of Arthur's folk, and prayed them to intercede for
+him with the noble king; that he might his man become, and deliver his
+son for hostage, and each year send him tribute of his land, a boat of
+gold and of treasure, and of rich garments, filled from the top to the
+bottom, in safety. And afterwards he would swear, that he would not
+prove false. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, that Æscil, King of
+the Danes, would be his underling, without any fight, he and all his
+knights. Then was gladdened Arthur the rich, and thus answered with
+mild words: "Well worth the man, that with wisdom obtaineth to him
+peace and amity, and friendship to hold! When he seeth that he is
+bound with strength, and his dear realm ready all to destruction, with
+art he must slacken his odious bonds." Arthur ordered the king to
+come, and bring his eldest son; and he so did soon, the King of
+Denmark. Arthur's will soon he gan to fulfill; together they came, and
+were reconciled.
+
+The yet said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Fare I will to France, with my
+mickle host. I will have of Norway nine thousand knights; and of
+Denmark I will lead nine thousand of the people; and of Orkney eleven
+hundred; and of Moray three thousand men; and of Galloway five
+thousand of the folk; and of Ireland eleven thousand, and of Britain
+my knights bold shall march before me, thirty thousand; and of Gutland
+I will lead ten thousand of the people; and of Frisland five thousand
+men; and of Little Britain Howel the bold, and with such folk France I
+will seek. And as I expect God's mercy, yet I will promise more; that
+of all the lands, that stand in my hand, I will order each brave man,
+that can bear his weapons, as he would wish to live, and have his
+limbs, that he go with me, to fight with Frolle, who is King of the
+French—-slain he shall be!--he was born in Rome, of Romanish kin."
+Forth proceeded Arthur, until he came to Flanders, the land he gan
+conquer, and set it with his men. And next he marched thence, into
+Boulogne, and all Boulogne's land took it in his own hand.
+
+And afterwards he took the way that in toward France lay. Then bade he
+his command to all his men, that fare wheresoever they should fare,
+they should take no whit, unless they might it obtain with right; with
+just purchase, in the king's host. Frolle heard that, where he was in
+France, of Arthur's speed (success), and of all his deeds; and how he
+all won that he looked on, and how it all to him submitted that he saw
+with eyes, then was the King Frolle horribly afraid! At the same time
+that this was transacted, the land of the French was named Gaul; and
+Frolle was from Rome come into France, and each year sent tribute of
+the land, ten hundred pounds of silver and of gold. Now heard Frolle,
+who was chief of France, of the great sorrow that Arthur did in the
+land. He sent messengers soon the nearest way toward Rome, and bade
+the Romanish folk advise them between, how many thousand knights they
+thither would send, that he might the easier fight with Arthur, and
+drive from the land Arthur the strong. Knights gan to ride out of
+Rome-land; five-and-twenty thousand proceeded toward France. Frolle
+heard this, with his mickle host, that the Romanish folk rode toward
+the land. Frolle and his host marched against them, so that they came
+together, keen men and brave, of all the earth an immense force.
+
+Arthur heard that, noblest of kings, and assembled his army, and
+advanced against them. But never was there any king, that was alive on
+earth, that ever ere on land such folk (multitude) commanded; for from
+all the kingdoms that Arthur had in hand, forth he led with him all
+the keenest men, so that he knew never in the world how many thousands
+there were. So soon as they came together, Arthur and Frolle; hardily
+they greeted all that they met. Knights most strong grasped long
+spears, and rushed them together, with fierce strength. All day there
+were blows most rife; the folk fell to ground, and wrought
+destruction; the angry warriors sought the grass-bed; the helms
+resounded, murmured earls; shields there shivered, warriors gan fall.
+Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons, my
+bold thanes? The day it forth goeth; this folk against us standeth.
+Cause we to glide to them sharp darts enow, and teach them to ride the
+way toward Rome!" Even with the words that Arthur then said, he sprang
+forth on steed, as spark doth of fire. Fifty thousand were following
+him; the hardy warriors rushed to the fight, and smote upon Frolle,
+where he was in the flock, and brought him to flight, with his mickle
+folk; there slew Arthur much folk and innumerable.
+
+Then fled into Paris Frolle the powerful, and fastened the gates, with
+grief enow; and these words said, sorrowful in heart: "Liefer were it
+to me, that I were not born!" Then were in Paris grievous speeches,
+full surely, sorrowful cries; burghmen gan to tremble; the walls they
+gan repair, the gates they gan to form; meat they took, all that they
+came nigh; on each side they carried it to the burgh; thither came
+they all, that held with Frolle. Arthur heard that, noblest of kings,
+that Frolle dwelt in Paris, with an immense force, and said that he
+would Arthur withstand. To Paris marched Arthur, of fear void, and
+belay the walls, and areared his tents; on four sides he belay it (the
+city), four weeks and a day. The people that were there within were
+sore afraid, the burgh was within filled with men; and they ate soon
+the meat that was there gathered.
+
+When four weeks were gone, that Arthur was there stationed, then was
+in the burgh sorrow extreme, with the wretched folk that lay there in
+hunger, there was weeping, there was lament, and distress great. They
+called to Frolle, and bade him make peace; become Arthur's man, and
+his own honour enjoy, and hold the kingdom of Arthur the keen; and let
+not the wretched folk perish all with hunger. Then answered
+Frolle—-free he was in heart:—-"Nay, so help me God, that all dooms
+wieldeth, shall I never his man become, nor he my sovereign! Myself I
+will fight; in God is all the right!"
+
+The yet spake Frolle, free man in heart: "Nay, so help me the Lord
+that shaped the daylight, will I nevermore yearn Arthur's grace; but
+fight I will, without any knight's aid, body against body, before my
+people; hand against hand, with Arthur the king! Whetherso of us is
+the weaker, soon he will be the leather; whetherso of us there may
+live, to his friends he will be the liefer; and whether of us that may
+of the other obtain the better (superiority), have he all this other's
+land, and set it in his own hand. This I will yearn, if Arthur will it
+grant; and this I will swear upon my sword. And hostages I will find,
+three kings' sons, that I will hold firmly this covenant; that I will
+it not violate, by my quick life! For liefer it is to me to lie dead,
+before my people, than that I should see them on the ground perish
+with hunger. For we have with fight destroyed our knights—-men felled
+fifty thousand; and many a good woman have made miserable widow, many
+a child fatherless, and bereaved of comfort; and now this folk with
+hunger have wondrously harmed. It is better therefore betwixt
+ourselves to deal and to dispose of this kingdom with fight; and have
+it the better man, and possess it in joy!" Frolle took twelve knights,
+with these words forth-right, and sent them in message to Arthur the
+king, to know if he would hold this covenant, and with his own hand
+win the kingdom, or lie dead before, to the harm of his people; and if
+he it won, should have it in his power.
+
+Arthur heard that, noblest of kings; was he never so blithe ere in his
+life, for the tiding liked to him from Frolle the king; and these
+words said Arthur the good: "Well saith Frolle, who is King of France;
+better it is that we two contest this realm, than there should be
+slain our brave thanes. This covenant I approve, before my people, at
+an appointed day to do what he me biddeth; that shall be to-morrow,
+before our men, that fight we shall by ourselves, and fall the worst
+of us! And whether (which) of us that goeth aback, and this fight will
+forsake, be he in each land proclaimed for a recreant! Then may men
+sing of one such king, that his brag (or threat) hath made, and his
+knighthood forsaken!"
+
+Frolle heard that, who was King of France, that Arthur would fight
+himself, without any knight. Strong man was Frolle, and stark man in
+mood; and his boast he had made, before all his people, and he might
+not for much shame disgrace himself; quit his bold bragging that he
+had said in the burgh. But said he whatever he said, in sooth he it
+weened, that Arthur would it forsake, and no whit take to (accept) the
+fight. For if Frolle, who was King in France, had it known, that
+Arthur would grant him that he had yearned, he would not have done it
+for a shipful of gold! Nevertheless was Frolle to the fight exceeding
+keen; tall knight and strong man, and moody in heart; and said that he
+would hold the day, in the island that with water is surrounded—-the
+island standeth full truly in the burgh of Paris.--"There I will with
+fight obtain my rights, with shield, and with steel, and with knight's
+weed; now to-morrow is the day; have it he that may it win!"
+
+The tiding came to Arthur the king, that Frolle would with fight win
+France; was he never so blithe ere in his life! And he gan to laugh,
+with loud voice; and said these words Arthur the keen: "Now I know
+that Frolle will with me fight, to-morrow in the day, as he himself
+determined, in the island that with water is surrounded; for it
+becometh a king, that his word should stand. Let the trumpets blow,
+and bid my men, that every good man watch to-night for that, and pray
+our Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that he preserve me from Frolle the
+fierce, and with his right hand protect me from disgrace. And if I may
+obtain this kingdom to mine own hand, every poor man the easier shall
+be, and work I will the great God's will! Now aid me thereto that all
+things may well do; the high heavenly king stand me in help; for him I
+will love (or praise), the while that I live!"
+
+There was all the long night songs and candle-light; loudly sung
+clerks holy psalms of God. When it was day on the morrow, people gan
+to stir. His weapons he took in hand, Arthur the strong; he threw on
+his back a garment most precious, a cheisil shirt, and a cloth kirtle;
+a burny exceeding precious, embroidered of steel. He set on his head a
+good helm; to his side he suspended his word Caliburn; his legs he
+covered with hose of steel, and placed on his feet spurs most good.
+The king with his weeds leapt on his steed; men reached to him a good
+shield; it was all clean of elephant's bone (ivory). Men gave him in
+hand a strong shaft; there was at the end a spear most fair; it was
+made in Caermarthen by a smith that hight Griffin; Uther it possessed,
+who was ere king here. When that the stern man was weaponed, then gan
+he to advance; then might he behold, who were there beside, the mighty
+king ride boldly; since this world was made, was it nowhere told, that
+ever any man so fair rode upon horse, as Arthur he was, son of Uther!
+Bold chieftains rode after the king; in the foremost flock forty
+hundred, noble warriors, clad in steel, bold Britons, busy with
+weapon. After that marched fifty hundred, that Walwain led, who was a
+bold champion. Afterwards there gan out follow sixty thousand Britons
+most bold; that was the rearward. There was the King Angel; there was
+Loth and Urine; there was Urine's son, named Ywain; there was Kay and
+Beduer, and commanded the host there; there was the King Howel, noble
+man of Britanny; Cador there was eke, who was keen in flock; there was
+from Ireland Gillomar the strong; there was Gonwais the king, Orkney's
+darling; there was Doldanim the keen, out of Gothland, and Rumaret the
+strong, out of Winet-land; there was Aescil the king, Denmark's
+darling. Folk there was on foot, so many thousand men, that was never
+a man in this worlds-realm so wise, that might tell the thousands, in
+ever any speech, unless he had with right wisdom of the Lord, or
+unless he had with him what Merlin he had.
+
+Arthur forth gan march, with innumerable folk; until he came full
+surely unto the burgh of Paris; on the west side of the water, with
+his mickle folk. On the east side was Frolle, with his great force,
+ready to the fight, before all his knights. Arthur took a good boat,
+and went therein, with shield and with steed, and with all his weeds
+(armour); and he shoved the strong ship from the land, and stept upon
+the island, and led his steed in his hand; his men that brought him
+there, as the king commanded, let the boat drive forth with the waves.
+
+Frolle went into ship; the king was uneasy that he ever thought with
+Arthur to fight. He proceeded to the island, with his good weapons; he
+stept upon the island, and drew his steed after him; the men that
+brought him there, as the king commanded them, let the boat drive
+forth with the waves; and the two kings alone there remained.
+
+Then men might behold, that were there beside, the folk on the land,
+exceedingly afraid; they climbed upon halls, they climbed upon walls;
+they climbed upon bowers, they climbed upon towers, to behold the
+combat of the two kings. Arthur's men prayed with much humility to God
+the good, and the holy his mother, that their lord might have there
+victory; and the others eke prayed for their king. Arthur stept in
+steel saddlebow, and leapt on his steed; and Frolle with his weeds
+leapt also on his steed; the one at his end, in the island, and the
+other at his end, in the island; they couched their shafts, the royal
+knights; they urged their steeds--good knights they were. Never was he
+found in ever any land, any man so wise, that should know it ere that
+time, whether (which) of the kings should lie overcome; for both they
+were keen knights, brave men and active, mickle men in might, and in
+force exceeding strong. They made ready their steeds; and together
+they gan ride; rushed fiercely, so that fire sprang after them! Arthur
+smote Frolle with might excessive strong, upon the high shield, so
+that it fell to the ground; and the steed that was good leapt out in
+the flood. Arthur out with his sword—mischief was on the point—and
+struck upon Frolle, where he was in the flood, ere their combat were
+come to the end. But Frolle with his hand grasped his long spear, and
+observed Arthur anon, as he came nigh, and smote the bold steed in the
+breast, so that the spear pierced through, and Arthur down drove. Then
+arose the multitudes' clamour, that the earth dinned again, the welkin
+resounded for shout of the folk. There would the Britons over the
+water pass, if Arthur had not started up very quickly, and grasped his
+good shield, adorned with gold, and against Frolle, with hostile
+glances cast before his breast his good broad shield. And Frolle to
+him rushed with his fierce assault, and up heaved his sword, and
+struck down right, and smote upon Arthur's shield, so that it fell on
+the field; the helm on his head, and his mail gan to give way, in
+front of his head; and he received a wound four inches long;—-it
+seemed not to him sore, for it was no more;—-the blood ran down over
+all his breast. Arthur was enraged greatly in his heart, and his sword
+Caliburne swung with main, and smote Frolle upon the helm, so that it
+parted in two; throughout the burnyshood, so that at his breast it
+(the sword) stopt. Then fell Frolle to the ground; upon the grass-bed
+his ghost he left. Then laughed the Britons, with loud voice; and
+people gan to fly exceeding quickly.
+
+Arthur the powerful went to land, and thus gan to call, noblest of
+kings: "Where art thou, Walwain, dearest of men to me? Command these
+Rome-men all with peace to depart hence; each man enjoy his home, as
+God granteth it him; order each man to hold peace, upon pain of limb
+and upon life; and I will it order to-day a se'nnight; command this
+folk then to march all together, and come to myself—-the better it
+shall be for them. They shall perform homage to me with honour, and I
+will hold them in my sovereignty, and set laws most good among the
+people. For now shall the Romanish laws fall to the ground, that
+before stood here with Frolle, who lieth slain in the island, and
+deprived of life-day. Hereafter full soon shall his kindred of Rome
+hear tidings of Arthur the king, for I will speak with them, and break
+down Rome walls, and remind them how King Belin led the Britons in
+thither, and won to him all the lands that stand unto Rome."
+
+Arthur proceeded to the gate, before the burgh wise men that took
+charge of the burgh, came, and let Arthur within, with all his men;
+delivered to him the halls, delivered to him the castles; delivered to
+him, full surely, all the burgh of Paris—there was mickle bliss with
+the British folk! The day came to burgh, that Arthur had set; came all
+the populace, and his men became. Arthur took his folk, and divided
+them in two; and the half part gave to Howel, and bade him march soon,
+with the mickle host, with the British men to conquer lands.
+
+Howel did all thus as Arthur him bade; he conquered Berry, and all the
+lands thereby; Anjou and Touraine, Alverne and Gascony, and all the
+havens that belonged to the lands. Guitard hight the duke, who
+possessed Poitou; he would not submit to Howel, but held ever against
+him; he would ask no peace, but Howel fought with him; oft he felled
+the folk, and oft he made flight. Howel wasted all the land, and slew
+the people. When Guitard saw, who was lord in Poitou, that all his
+people went him to loss, with Howel he made peace, with all his host,
+and became Arthur's man, the noble king. Arthur became gracious to
+him, and loved him greatly, and bade him enjoy his land, for (because)
+he bowed to his feet;--then had Howel nobly succeeded!
+
+Arthur had France, and freely it settled; he took then his host, and
+marched over all the territory; to Burgundy he proceeded, and set it
+in his hand; and afterwards he gan fare into Loraine, and all the
+lands set to himself in hand, all that Arthur saw, all it submitted to
+him; and afterwards he went, full truly, again home to Pans.
+
+When Arthur had France established with good peace, settled and
+composed, so that prosperity was among the folk, then ordered he the
+old knights, that he had long retained, that they should come to the
+king, and receive their reward; for they many years had been his
+companions. To some he gave land, some silver and gold; to some he
+gave castles, some he gave clothes; bade them go in joy, and amend
+their sins; forbade them to bear weapon, because age upon them went,
+and bade them love God greatly in this life, that he at the end, full
+surely, might give them his paradise, that they might enjoy bliss with
+the angels. All the old knights proceeded to their land, and the young
+remained with their dear king. All the nine years Arthur dwelt there;
+nine years he held France freely in hand, and afterwards no longer the
+land he governed.
+
+But the while that the kingdom stood in Arthur's hand, marvellous
+things came to the folk; many proud man Arthur made mild, and many a
+high man he held at his feet! It was on an Easter, that men had
+fasted, that Arthur on Easter-day had his noble men together; all the
+highest persons that belonged to France, and of all the lands that lay
+thither in; there he gave his knights all their rights; to each one he
+gave possessions, as he had earned. Thus quoth him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Kay, look thee hitherward; thou art mine highest steward; here
+I give thee Anjou, for thy good deeds, and all the rights that thither
+in are set. Kneel to me, Beduer; thou art my highest cup-bearer here;
+the while that I am alive, love thee I will. Here I give thee
+Neustrie, nearest to my realm." Then hight Neustrie the land that now
+hight Normandy. The same two earls were Arthur's dear men, at counsel
+and at communing, in every place. The yet said him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Wend thee hither, Howeldin; thou art my man and my kin; have
+thou Boulogne, and possess it in prosperity. Come near, Borel; thou
+art knight wise and wary; here I deliver thee the Mans, with honour,
+and possess thou it in prosperity, for thy good deeds." Thus Arthur
+the king dealt his lordly lands, after their actions; for he thought
+them to be worthy. Then were blithe speeches in Arthur's halls; there
+was harping and song, there were blisses among!
+
+When Easter was gone, and April went from town, and the grass was
+rife, and the water was calm, and men gan to say that May was in town,
+Arthur took his fair folk, and proceeded to the sea, and caused his
+ships to be assembled, well with the best; and sailed to this land,
+and came up at London; up he came at London, to the bliss of the
+people. All it was blithe that saw him with eyes; soon they gan to
+sing of Arthur the king, and of the great worship that he had won
+There kissed father the son, and said to him welcome; daughter the
+mother, brother the other; sister kissed sister; the softer it was to
+them in heart. In many hundred places folk stood by the way, asking of
+things of many kind; and the knights told them of their conquests, and
+made their boast of mickle booty. Might no man say, were he man ever
+so skilled, of half the blisses that were with the Britons! Each fared
+at his need over this kingdom, from burgh to burgh, with great bliss;
+and thus it a time stood in the same wise—bliss was in Britain with
+the bold king.
+
+When Easter was gone, and summer come to land, then took Arthur his
+counsel, with his noble men, that he would in Kaerleon bear on him his
+crown, and on Whitsunday his folk there assemble. In those days men
+gan deem, that no burgh so fair was in any land, nor so widely known
+as Kaerleon by Usk, unless it were the rich burgh that is named Rome.
+The yet many a man was with the king in land, that pronounced the
+burgh of Kaerleon richer than Rome, and that Usk were the best of all
+waters. Meadows there were broad, beside the burgh; there was fish,
+there was fowl, and fairness enow; there was wood and wild deer,
+wondrous many; there was all the mirth that any man might think of.
+But never since Arthur thither came, the burgh afterwards thrived, nor
+ever may, between this and dooms-day. Some books say certainly that
+the burgh was bewitched, and that is well seen, sooth that it be. In
+the burgh were two minsters exceeding noble; one minster was of Saint
+Aaron; therein was mickle relique; the other of the martyr Saint
+Julian, who is high with the Lord; therein were nuns good, many a high
+born woman.
+
+The bishop's stool was at Saint Aaron; therein was many a good man;
+canons there were, who known were wide; there was many a good clerk,
+who well could (were well skilled) in learning. Much they used the
+craft to look in the sky; to look in the stars, nigh and far;--the
+craft is named Astronomy. Well often they said of many things to the
+king; they made known to him what should happen to him in the land.
+Such was the burgh of Kaerleon; there was much wealth; there was much
+bliss with the busy king.
+
+The king took his messengers, and sent over his land; bade come earls;
+bade come barons; bade come kings, and eke chieftains; bade come
+bishops, bade come knights; bade all the free men that ever were in
+the land; by their life he bade them be at Kaerleon on Whitsunday.
+Knights gan to ride exceeding wide, rode toward Kaerleon from lands of
+many kind. At the Whitsunday there came the King Angel, King of
+Scotland, with his fair folk; many was the fair man that followed the
+king. Of Moray King Urien, and his fair son Ywam; Stater, King of
+South Wales, and Cadwal, the King of North Wales; Cador, Earl of
+Cornwall, whom the king loved; Morvith of Gloucester; Maurm of
+Winchester; Gurguint, Earl of Hereford, and Beof, Earl of Oxford;
+Cursal the bold, from Bath there came riding; Urgent of Chester;
+Jonathas of Dorchester; Arnalf of Salisbury, and Kinmare of
+Canterbury; Bahen of Silchester; Wigen of Leicester; Argal, Earl of
+Warwick, with folk exceeding strange (or numerous); Dunwale, son of
+Apnes, and Kegem, son of Elauth; Kineus, that was Coit's son, and
+Cradoc, Catel's son, Ædlem, Cledauk's son; Grimarc, Kinmark's son;
+Run, Margoit, and Netan; Clofard, Kincar, and Aican; Kenn, Neton, and
+Peredur; Madoc, Trahern, and Elidur. These were Arthur's noble earls,
+and the highest thanes brave of all this land, without (besides) the
+nobles of Arthur's board, that no man might ken, nor all the folk
+name. Then were archbishops three in this country; in London, and in
+York; and in Kaerleon, Saint Dubrich--he was a man exceeding holy,
+through all things excellent! At London lay the archbishop's stool,
+that to Canterbury was subsequently removed, after that Englishmen had
+won to them this land.
+
+To tell the folk of Kaerleon, no man might it do! There was Gillomar
+the king, of Irish men the darling; Malverus, King of Iceland;
+Doldanet, King of Gutland; Kinkalin of Frisland; and Æscil, King of
+Denmark. There was Loth the keen, who was king by the North; and
+Gonwais, King of Orkney, of outlaws the darling. Thither came the
+fierce man, the Earl of Boulogne, who was named Laeyer, and his people
+with him; of Flanders the Earl Howeldin; of Chartres the Earl Geryn.
+This man brought with him all the French men; twelve earls most noble,
+who ruled over France. Guitard, Earl of Poitiers; Kay, Earl of Angers;
+Bedver, Earl of Normandy — the land then hight Neustne;—-of the Mans
+came the Earl Borel; of Britanny the Earl Howel. Howel the earl was
+free man, and fair were his weeds. And all the French folk were
+clothed fair, all well weaponed, and horses they had fat. There were
+besides fifteen bishops. Was there no knight nor any swain, nor good
+man that were thane, from the ports of Spain to the towns of Alemaine,
+that thither would not have come, if he were (had been) invited; all
+for Arthur's dread, of noble race. When all this folk was come; each
+king with his people, there men might behold, who were there beside,
+many a strange man, who was come to the burgh, and many kind of
+tidings (novelties) with Arthur the king There was many a marvellous
+cloth (garment); there was many a wrath knight; there were lodgings
+nobly prepared; there were the inns, built with strength; there were
+on the fields many thousand tents; there came lard and wheat, and oats
+without measure; may no man say it in his tale, of the wine and of the
+ale; there came hay, there came grass; there came all that was good!
+
+When all this folk was assembled by the good king, when the Whitsunday
+came, as the Lord it sent, then came all the bishops before their
+king, and the archbishops three, before Arthur; and took the crown,
+that was to him by right, and set upon his head with great bliss; so
+they gan him lead, all with God's counsel. Saint Dubrich went before--
+he was to Christ chosen;--the Archbishop of London walked on his right
+hand, and by his left side the same of York. Fifteen bishops went
+before, of many lands chosen; they were all clothed with garments most
+rich, that were all embroidered with burning gold. There walked four
+kings before the kaiser; they bare in their hands four swords of gold.
+Thus hight the one, who was a most doughty man, that was Cador the
+king, Arthur's darling; the second of Scotland, he bare sword in hand;
+and the King of North Wales and the King of South Wales.
+
+And thus they gan lead the king to church; the bishops gan sing before
+the monarch, trumpets there blew; bells there rung; knights gan ride,
+women forth glide. In certainty it is said, and sooth it is found,
+that no man ever ere saw here with earthly men half so great pomp, in
+ever any assembly, as was with Arthur, of noble race.
+
+Into church came Arthur the rich man; Dubrich the archbishop—-the Lord
+was to him full good; of Rome he was legate, and prelate of the
+people—-he sang the holy mass before the monarch. Came with the queen
+women fair; all wives of the rich men that dwelt in the land, and
+daughters of the noble men the queen had sought (or selected), all as
+the queen had ordered, on pain of their paying full penalty. In the
+church, in the south half, sate Arthur the king himself; by the north
+side Wenhaver the queen. There came before her four chosen queens;
+each bare in the left hand a jewel of red gold, and three snow-white
+doves sate on their shoulders; who were the four queens, wives of the
+kings who bare in their hands the four swords of gold before Arthur,
+noblest of kings. There was many a maid-child with the noble queen;
+there was many a rich garment on the fair folk; there was mickle envy
+from land of many kind; for each weened to be better than other. Many
+knights anon came to the church; some for gain; some for the king;
+some to behold the women that were noble. Songs there were merry, that
+lasted very long; I ween if it had lasted seven years, the yet they
+would more, that were thereat. When the mass was sung, from church
+they thronged; the king with his folk went to his meat, with his
+mickle folk—-joy was among the people. The queen on the other side
+sought her lodging; she had of women wondrous many.
+
+When the king was set, with his men to his meat, to the king came the
+bishop Saint Dubrich, who was so good, and took from his head his rich
+crown; on account of the mickle gold the king would not it bear; and
+placed a less crown on the king's head; and afterwards he gan do to
+the queen also (likewise). In Troy this was the custom in their
+elders' days, of whom Brutus came, who were excellent men; all the men
+at their meat sate asunder by themselves, that to them seemed well
+done; and also the women their station had.
+
+When the king was set with all his people to his meat, earls and
+barons, at the king's board, then came stepping the steward, who was
+named Kay, highest knight in land under the king, of all the
+assemblage of Arthur's folk. Kay had before him many a noble man
+chosen; there were a thousand bold knights wondrous well told, that
+served the king and his chiefs; each knight had a cloth on, and
+adorned with gold, and all their fingers covered with gold rings.
+These bare the things sent from the kitchen to the king. On the other
+side was Beduer, the king's high cup-bearer, with him were earls' sons
+of noble race born, and the noble knights' sons, who were thither
+come; and seven kings' sons, that with him moved. Beduer went
+foremost, with golden bowl; after him a thousand pressed towards the
+folk, with drink of all the kinds that men could think of. And the
+queen at her end, women most fair attended; a thousand walked before
+her, rich and well choice, to serve the queen, and them that were with
+her.
+
+Was he never born, of any man chosen, clerk nor layman, in ever any
+land, that could tell it in speech of any kind, of half the wealth
+that was in Kaerleon, of silver and of gold, and good weeds; of high
+born men that dwelt among the folk; of horses, and of hawks, of hounds
+for deer, and of rich weeds, that were among the people. And of all
+the folk that dwelt there in land, the folk of this land was accounted
+the fairest of people, and also the women, comely in hue, and most
+nobly clothed, and best of all educated. For they all had in
+declaration, by their quick lives, that they would have their clothes
+of one hue. Some had white, some had red; some had eke good green; and
+variegated cloth of each kind was to them wondrous odious; and each
+ill-usage they accounted unworthy.
+
+Then had English land the best fame of all; and this country-folk eke
+was dearest to the king. The high born women that dwelt in this land
+had all declared in their sooth words, that none would take lord
+(husband) in this land, never any knight, were he nought (never) so
+well formed, unless he were thrice tried in combat, and his courage
+made known, and himself approved; then might he boldly ask him a
+bride. For that usage the knights were brave, the women excellent, and
+the better behaved; then were in Britain blisses enow.
+
+When the king had eaten, and all his people, then proceeded out of the
+burgh the thanes most bold; all the kings, and their chieftains; all
+the bishops, and all the clerks; all the earls, and all the barons;
+all the thanes, and all the swains, fairly clad, spread over the
+fields. Some they gan to ride; some they gan to race, some they gan to
+leap, some they gan to shoot, some they wrestled, and contest made;
+some they in the field played under shield; some they drove balls wide
+over the fields. Games of many a kind there they gan to play; and
+whoso might win honour of his game, men lead him with song before the
+sovereign, and the king for his game gave him gifts good. All the
+queens, that there were come, and all the ladies, leaned over the
+walls, to behold the people, and the folk play. This lasted three
+days, such games and such plays.
+
+Then on the fourth day, the king gan to speak, and gave his good
+knights all their rights; he gave silver, he gave gold; he gave
+horses, he gave land; castles eke and clothes; his men he
+pleased—-there was many a bold Briton before Arthur. But now came to
+the king new tidings! Arthur the bold king sate at a board; before him
+sate kings, and many chieftains; bishops and clerks, and knights most
+brave.
+
+There came into the hall marvellous tales!—-there came twelve thanes
+bold, clad with pall; noble warriors, noble men with weapon; each had
+on hand a great ring of gold, and with a band of gold each had his
+head encircled. Ever two and two walked together; each with his hand
+held his companion; and glided over the floor, before Arthur, so long
+that they came before Arthur, the sovereign. They greeted Arthur anon
+with their noble words: "Hail be thou, Arthur king, darling of
+Britons; and hail be thy people, and all thy lordly folk! We are
+twelve knights come here forthright, rich and noble; we are from Rome.
+Hither we are come from our emperor, who is named Luces, who ruleth
+Rome-people. He commanded us to proceed hither, to Arthur the king,
+and bade thee to be greeted with his grim words, and saith that he is
+astonished, wondrously much, where thou tookest the mood in this
+middle-earth, that thou darest of Rome oppose any doom (will), or
+heave up thine eyes against our ancestors; and who dared it thee to
+counsel, that thou art so doughty become, that thou darest threaten
+the lord of dooms, Luces, the emperor, highest of men alive! Thou
+boldest all thy kingdom in thine own hand, and wilt not serve the
+emperor of the land; of the same land that Julius had in hand, who in
+former days won it with fight; and thou it hast retained in thy power;
+and with thy bold knights deprivest us of our rights. But say us,
+Arthur, soon, and send word to Rome; we shall thine errand bear to
+Luces our emperor, if thou wilt acknowledge that he is king over thee,
+and if thou wilt his man become, and acknowledge him for lord, and do
+right to the emperor on account of Frolle the king, whom thou slewest
+with wrong at Paris, and now holdest all his land with un-right in thy
+hand. If thou within these twelve weeks turn to the right, and if thou
+wilt of Rome any doom suffer, then mightest thou live, among thy
+people. And if thou wilt not do so, thou shalt receive worse, for the
+emperor will come here, as king shall to his own, king most keen; and
+take thee with strength, lead thee bound before Rome-folk;--then must
+thou suffer what thou erst despisedest!"
+
+At these words the Britons leapt from the board; there was Arthur's
+court exceedingly enraged; and swore mickle oath, upon our mighty
+Lord, that they all were (should be) dead, who this errand bare; with
+horses drawn in pieces, death they should suffer. There leapt towards
+them the Britons exceeding wrath; tore them by the hair, and laid them
+to the ground. There were (would have been) the Romanish men pitifully
+treated, if Arthur had not leapt to them, as if it were a lion; and
+said these words--wisest of all Britons!--"Leave ye, leave quickly
+these knights alive! They shall not in my court suffer any harm; they
+are hither ridden out of Rome, as their lord commanded them, who is
+named Luces. Each man must go where his lord biddeth him go; no man
+ought to sentence a messenger to death, unless he were so evilly
+behaved, that he were traitor of his lord. But sit ye down still,
+knights in hall; and I will me counsel of such need, what word they
+shall bear to Luces the emperor."
+
+Then sate all down, the folk on their benches, and the clamour ceased
+before the monarch. Then stood him up Arthur, noblest of kings, and he
+called to him seven sons of kings, earls and barons, and those that
+were boldest, and all the wisest men that dwelt in the folk, and went
+into a house that was fast inclosed, of old stone work--strong men it
+wrought--therein they gan to commune, his wise councillors, what
+answer he would give to Luces the emperor. When all the nobles were
+come to bench then was it all still that dwelt in the hall; there was
+great awe with the mighty king; durst there no man speak, least the
+king would it punish.
+
+Then stood there up Cador, the earl most rich here, and said these
+words before the rich king: "I thank my Lord, who formed the daylight,
+to abide (have abode) this day, that is arrived to the folk, and this
+tiding that is come to our king; so that we need no more lie here
+inert! For idleness is evil in each land; for idleness maketh man lose
+his manhood; idleness maketh knight lose his rights; idleness causeth
+many wicked crafts; idleness destroyeth many thousand men; through
+idle deeds little men well-speed. For long we have lain still; our
+honour is the less! But now I thank the Lord, who formed the daylight,
+that the Romanish folk are so fierce, and make their threat to come to
+our burghs, our king to bind, and to Rome him bring. But if it is
+sooth that men say, as people it tell, that the Romanish people are so
+fierce, and are so bold, and so mischievous, that they will now come
+into our land, we shall prepare for them rueful tales; their
+fierceness shall turn to themselves to sorrow. For never loved I long
+peace in my land; for through peace we are bound, and well nigh all in
+swoon."
+
+That heard Walwain, who was Arthur's relative, and angered him much
+with Cador, who said these words; and thus answered Walwain the good:
+"Cador, thou art a powerful man; thy counsels are not good; for good
+is peace and good is amity, whoso freely therewith holdeth, and God
+himself it made, through his divinity; for peace maketh a good man
+work good works, for all men are the better, and the land is the
+merrier."
+
+Then heard Arthur the dispute of these knights; and thus spake the
+mighty man with his fierce folk: "Sit ye down quickly, my knights all,
+and each by his life listen my words!" All it was still that dwelt in
+the hall. Then spake the bold king to his noble folk: "My earls, my
+barons, my bold thanes, my doughty men, my dear friends; through you I
+have conquered under the sun, so that I am man most powerful, and
+fierce against my enemies; gold I have and treasure; of men I am
+ruler. I won it not alone, but we did, all clean. To many a fight I
+have led you, and ever ye were well skilled, so that many kingdoms
+stand in my hand. Ye are good knights, brave men and active; that I
+have proved in well many lands" The yet spake him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "But now ye have heard, my noble thanes, what the Romanish men
+counsel them between, and what words they send us here, into our land,
+with writ and with words, and with great wrath. Now we must bethink
+how we may with right defend our country and our great honour, against
+this powerful folk, against this Rome-people, and send them answer
+with our good words; with much wisdom send our writ to Rome, and learn
+at the emperor, for what thing he us hateth; for what thing he greets
+us with threat and with scorn Exceeding sorely it incenseth me, and
+immoderately it shameth, that he reproaches us our loss that we before
+have lost. They say that Julius Caesar won it (Britain) with combat in
+fight. With strength and with fight men do many wrongs; for Caesar
+sought Britain with bold strength. The Britons might not against him
+defend their land, but with strength they went in hand, and delivered
+him all their land; and thereafter soon all became his men. Some of
+our kin they had slain, and some with horses drawn to pieces; some
+they led bound out of this land; and thus this land won with wrong and
+with sin, and now asketh by right tribute of this land! All so we may
+do, if we it do will, through right of Belin king, and of Brenne, his
+brother, the Duke of Burgundy. These were our ancestors, of whom we
+are come; these belay Rome, and the realm all conquered, and before
+Rome the strong their hostages up hung, and afterwards they took all
+the land, and set it in their own hand, and thou ought we with right
+to besiege Rome. Now will I let remain Belin and Brenne, and speak of
+the caiser, Constantine the strong, he was Helen's son, all of Britons
+come (descended), he won Rome, and possessed the realm. Let (leave) we
+now of Constantine, who won Rome all to him, and speak of Maximian,
+who was a man most strong, he was King of Britain, he conquered
+France. Maximian the strong he took Rome in hand, and Alemaine
+(Germany) he won eke, with wondrous great strength, and all from Rome
+into Normandy. And all these were my ancestors, my noble progenitors;
+and possessed all the lands that unto Rome lay; and through such
+authority I ought to obtain Rome. They yearn of me in hand tribute of
+my land; all so will I of Rome, if I have counsel. I desire in my
+thoughts to possess all Rome; and he desireth in Britain to bind me
+most fast, and slay my Britons, with his evil attacks. But if my Lord
+grant it, who formed day and night, he shall sorely pay for his bold
+threat, and his Rome-people shall therefore perish; and I will be
+bold, wherein he now ruleth! Dwell ye now all still, I will say my
+will, no man shall do it otherwise, but it shall stand thereon. He
+desireth all, and I desire all that we both possess; have it now and
+ever who may it easier win, for now we shall prove to whom God will
+grant it!"
+
+Thus spake the bold king, that had Britain under his rule, that was
+Arthur the king, Britain's darling! His warriors sate, and to his
+words listened; some they sate still, a great while; some they made
+much communing between them; some it seemed to them good; some it
+disturbed their mood.
+
+When they had long listened to the king, then spake Howel the fair,
+noble man of Britanny, and said these words before the fierce king:
+"Lord king, hearken to me, as I ere did to thee. Thou hast said sooth
+words—may fortune be given to thee!--For it was of old said, what we
+now shall learn, in the years before what is now here found. Sibeli it
+said; her words were sooth, and set it in book, for example to folk,
+that three kings should go out of Britain, who should conquer Rome,
+and all the realm, and all the lands that thereto lie. The first was
+Belin, who was a British king; the other was Constantine, who was king
+in Britain; thou shalt be the third, that Rome shalt have. And if thou
+wilt it begin, thou shalt it win, and I will thereto help, with great
+strength, I will send over sea, to my good thanes, to my bold
+Britons—-the better we shall proceed,--I will command all, the nobles
+of Britain, by their limbs and by their lives, over all my lands, that
+they be ready soon with thee to march to Rome. My land I will set in
+pledge for silver, and all the possessions of my land for silver and
+for gold, and so we shall proceed to Rome, and slay Luces the emperor,
+and for to win thy rights, I will lead to thee ten thousand knights."
+Thus spake Howel, noblest of Britanny.
+
+When that Howel had said what seemed good to him, then spake Angel the
+king, Scotland's darling, and stood upon a bench, and both his
+brothers, that was, Loth and Urien, two most noble men. Thus said
+Angel the king to Arthur the keen: "Lord Arthur, I say to thee through
+my sooth words, the same that Howel hath spoken, no man shall it
+avoid, but we shall perform it by our quick lives! And, lord Arthur
+the noble, listen to me a while, call to thee to counsel thy earls
+rich, and all the highest that are in thy folk, and bid them say to
+thee with their sooth words, in what they will help thee thy foes to
+destroy. I will lead to thee knights of my land, three thousand
+champions brave, all chosen, ten thousand men on foot, to fight most
+good, and go we to Rome, and conquer the realm. Full greatly it may
+shame us, and full greatly it may us anger, that they should send
+messengers after tribute to our land. But so help us the Lord that
+formed the daylight, they shall pay for it with their bare life! For
+when we have Rome, and all the realm, we shall seize the lands that
+thereto he, Poille (Apuha?) and Alemaine, Lumbardy and Britanny,
+France and Normandy--then it hight Neustrie--and so we shall tame
+their immoderate mood (pride)." When the king had said then answered
+all. "Disgraced be that man that will not help thereto, with goods and
+with weapons, and with all his might!"
+
+Then was Arthur's folk sternly incensed, knights were so enraged, that
+all they gan to be agitated. When Arthur had heard the clamour of his
+folk, then gan he call--the king was angry--"Sit ye down still,
+knights in hall, and I will you tell what I will do. My writs I will
+make, that shall be well indited, and send to the emperor minds sorrow
+and mickle care, and I will full soon fare into Rome. I will not
+thither any tribute bring, but the emperor I will bind, and afterwards
+I will him hang; and all the land I will destroy, and all the knights
+put to death, that stand against me in fight!"
+
+Arthur took his writ in hand, with hostile words, and delivered it to
+the men, that had brought the errand, and afterwards he caused them to
+be clothed with each pomp, with the noblest garments that he had in
+bower, and bade them fare soon to Luces of Rome, and he would come
+after them as quickly as he might.
+
+These twelve went their way toward their land; were in no land knights
+so bedecked with silver and with gold, nor through all things so well
+arrayed as these were by Arthur the king. Thus Arthur them treated,
+all for their words! These twelve knights proceeded until they came to
+Rome; they greeted their emperor, their sovereign: "Hail be thou,
+Luces, thou art highest over us! We were with the fierce man, with
+Arthur the king, we have brought thee writs, words exceeding great
+Arthur is the keenest man that we ever looked on, and he is wondrous
+powerful, and his thanes are bold, there is every knave as if he were
+knight, there is every swain as if he were rich thane, there are the
+knights as if it were kings, meat there is most abundant, and men most
+bold, and the fairest women that dwell alive; and Arthur the bold
+himself fairest over all! By us he sendeth word to thee, that he will
+come to this land, no tribute he will bring, but thyself he will bind,
+and afterwards he will thee hang, and this land all destroy, and take
+Alemaine and Lumbardy, Burgundy, France, and Normandy. And Frolle he
+slew, his foe, so he will to us all do, and possess himself alone the
+land that we own all clean, hereto he will lead kings, earls, and
+chieftains. And here we have in hand the writs that he thee sendeth
+that telleth thee what he will do, when he cometh in hither."
+
+When the errand was said, the emperor was a full sorrowful man, and
+all the Rome-folk were stirred with strong wrath. Oft they went to
+counsel, oft they went to communing, ere to them might be determined
+what they would do. Nevertheless at the end a counsel they found, that
+was through the senator, who held the senate, the emperor they
+counselled that he should write letters, and send his messengers over
+many kingdoms, and bid them all come soon to Rome, from every land,
+who loved them aught, and all that willeth with fight obtain land or
+goods. Folk there came soon to the burgh of Rome, so mickle as there
+never ere any man assembled! They said that they would march over
+Muntgiu, and fight with Arthur, wheresoever they him found, and Arthur
+slay or hang, and his host all destroy, and possess for the emperor
+Arthur's realm.
+
+The first king that there came, he was a man exceeding keen, Epistrod,
+king of Greece; Ethion, Duke of Boeotia, came with a great force;
+Irtac, King of Turkey; Pandras, King of Egypt; of Crete the King
+Ypolite; of Syria the King Evander; of Phrygia the Duke Teucer; of
+Babylon, Maptisas; of Spain the Caiser Meodras; of Media the King
+Boccus; of Libia the King Sextorius; of Bitunia, Pollidices; of Ituria
+the King Xerxes; Ofustesar, King of Africa; was there no king his
+like; with him came many an African; of Ethiopia he brought the
+black-men. The Rome-people themselves marched them together, that were
+at nearest, of Rome the noblest; Marcus, Lucas, and Catel, Cocta,
+Gaiut, and Metel; these were the six, who the Senate all ruled.
+
+When this folk was assembled, from lands of many kind, then caused the
+emperor all the host to be numbered. Then were there told right, to
+fight most bold, four hundred thousand knights in the heap
+(assemblage), with weapons and with horses, as behoveth to knights.
+Never was he born, in every any burgh, that might tell the folk, that
+there went on foot! Before harvest-day forth they gan to march, ever
+right the way that toward Muntgiu lay.
+
+Let us now leave this host a while, and speak we of Arthur, noblest of
+kings, when that he had besought his good thanes, and each had gone
+home where he had land. And soon again came the knights in assemblage,
+with weapons well provided, through all their might, of Scotland, of
+Ireland, of Gutland, of Iceland, of Norway, of Denmark, of Orkney, of
+Man; of these same lands are a hundred thousand brave thanes, all well
+weaponed in their country's wise. They were not all knights, nor in
+this wise arrayed, but they were the keenest men that any man knew,
+with great battle-axes, and with long saexes. Of Normandy, of Anjou,
+of Britain, of Poitou, of Flanders, of Boulogne, of Lorraine, of
+Lovaine, came a hundred thousand to the king's host, knights with the
+best, completely provided with weapons. There came the twelve
+companions that France should obey; twelve thousand knights they
+brought forthright; and of this land Arthur took in hand fifty
+thousand knights, keen and brave men in battle. Howel of Brittany led
+ten thousand of his land-folk, knights with the best. Of footmen; when
+they forth marched, through no kind of speech could any man them
+number!
+
+Arthur then ordered, noblest of kings, the folk to be assembled at a
+set time, by their bare life, at Barbefleote; and there he would
+gather his good people. This land he delivered to a famous knight; he
+was Walwain's brother, there was no other; he was named Modred,
+wickedest of men; truth he had none to ever any man; he was Arthur's
+relation, of his noble race; but knight he was wondrous good, and he
+had very much pride; he was Arthur's sister's son; to the queen was
+his resort--that was evilly done—-to his uncle he did treachery. But
+it was all secret, in host and in hall, for no man it weened, that it
+should be, but men in sooth weened him, because Walwain was his
+brother, the truest man of all that came to the folk; through Walwain
+was Modred by men the more beloved, and Arthur the keen full well was
+pleased with him. He took all his kingdom, and set it to Modred in
+hand, and Wenhaver, his queen, worthiest of women, that then in this
+nation dwelt in land. Arthur gave to them all that he possessed, to
+Modred and the queen--that to them was pleasing. That was evilly done,
+that they were (should have been) born; this land they destroyed with
+numerous sorrows; and themselves at the end the Worse gan disgrace (or
+destroy), so that they there lost their lives and their souls, and
+ever afterwards became odious in every land, so that never any man
+would offer a good prayer for their souls, on account of the treachery
+that he did to Arthur, his uncle. All that Arthur possessed he gave to
+Modred, his land and his people, and his dear queen; and afterwards he
+took his army of folk most fair, and marched full soon toward
+Southampton.
+
+There came numerous ships soon sailing over the wide sea, to the
+king's folk; the king distributed the folk over the long ships; by
+thousands and by thousands to the ships they thronged; the father wept
+on the son, sister on the brother; mother on the daughter, when the
+host departed. The weather stood at will, the wind waxed in hand;
+anchors they up drew, joy was among the folk. The thanes wondrous
+blithe wound their way into the wide sea, the ships thereforth
+pressed, the glee-men there sung; sails there they hoist, ropes there
+they right; weather they had softest of all, and the sea slept. For
+the softness (calm) Arthur gan to sleep; as the king slept a dream he
+dreamt; marvellous was the dream, the king it alarmed!
+
+When the king him awoke, greatly he was frightened, and began to groan
+with loud voice. Was there none so bold knight under Christ, who durst
+ask the king of his welfare, ere the king himself spake, and
+discoursed with his barons there, and thus Arthur him said, when he
+awoke from his sleep: "Lord governor Christ, ruler of dooms, protector
+of middle-earth, comforter of men through thy merciful will, ruler of
+angels; let thou my dream turn to good!" Then spake Angel the king,
+Scotland's darling: "Lord, say us thy dream, for prosperity is given
+to us" "Blithely," quoth the king, "to bliss may it turn! Where I lay
+in slumber, and I gan for to sleep, methought that in the welkin came
+a marvellous beast, eastward in the sky, and loathsome to the sight;
+with lightning and with storm sternly he advanced; there is in no land
+any bear so loathly. Then came there westward, winding with the
+clouds, a burning dragon; burghs he swallowed, with his fire he
+lighted all this land's realm; methought in my sight that the sea gan
+to burn of light and of fire, that the dragon carried. This dragon and
+the bear, both together, quickly soon together they came; they smote
+them together with fierce assaults, flames flew from their eyes as
+firebrands! Oft was the dragon above, and eftsoons beneath;
+nevertheless at the end high he gan rise, and he flew down right with
+fierce assault, and the bear he smote, so that he fell to the earth;
+and he there the bear slew, and limbmeal him tore. When the fight was
+done, the dragon back went. This dream I dreamt, where I lay and
+slept."
+
+The bishops heard this, and book-learned men; this heard earls, this
+heard barons; each by his wit said wisdom, and this dream they
+interpreted, as to them best seemed. There durst no knight to evil
+expound no whit, lest he should lose his limbs that were dear to him.
+Forth they gan to voyage exceeding quickly; the wind stood to them at
+will, weather best of all; they had all that to them was need; to land
+they came at Barbefleot. To Barbefleot, at Constantin, therein came a
+mickle multitude, from all the lands that Arthur had in hand. So soon
+as they might, out of ship they moved, the king ordered his folk to
+seek lodging, and the king would rest, until his folk came. He was not
+there but one night, that a fair knight came to him; he told tiding to
+Arthur the king, he said that there was arrived a monster, westward
+from Spain; a fiend well loathsome; and in Britanny was busy to harm.
+By the seaside the land he wasted wide--now it hight Mount Saint
+Michel--the land he possesseth every part.--"Lord king," quoth the
+knight, "in sooth I make known to thee right here, he hath taken away
+thy relative, with great strength, a nobly born woman, Howel's
+daughter choice, who was named Helen, noblest of maidens. To the mount
+he carried her, noblest of maidens; now full a fortnight the fiend
+hath holden her there right; we know not in life whether he have her
+not to wife. All the men that he seizeth, he maketh to him for meat,
+cattle, horses, and the sheep, goats, and the swine eke; all this land
+he will destroy, unless thou allay our care, the land and this people;
+in thee is our need." Yet said the knight to the monarch: "Seest thou,
+lord, the mount, and the great wood, wherein the fiend dwelleth that
+destroyeth this people? We have fought with him well many times; by
+sea and by land this folk he destroyed; our ships he sank, the folk he
+all drowned, those that fought on the land, those he down laid. We
+have driven (suffered) that so long, that we let him alone, to act how
+so he will, after his will, the knights of this land dare not with him
+any more fight."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of all kings; he called to him the Earl
+Kay, who was his steward and his relative; Beduer eke to him he
+called, he who was the king's cup-bearer. He bade them forth-right be
+all ready at midnight, with all their weapons, to go with the king, so
+that no man under Christ should know of their journey, except Arthur
+the king, and the two knights with him, and their six swains, brave
+men and active; and the knight that counselled it to the king should
+lead them. At the midnight, when men were asleep, Arthur forth him
+went, noblest of all kings. Before rode their guide, until it was
+daylight; they alighted from their steeds, and righted their weeds.
+Then saw they not far a great fire smoke, upon a hill, surrounded by
+the sea-flood; and another hill there was most high; the sea by it
+flowed full nigh, thereupon they saw a fire that was mickle and most
+strong. The knights then doubted, to whether of the two they might go,
+that the giant were not aware of the king's movement. Then Arthur the
+bold took him to counsel, that they should go together near the one
+fire; and if they there him found, kill him to death. Forth went the
+king, so that he came near; nought he there found but a mickle fire
+there burning. Arthur went about, and his knights by his side; nought
+they found alive upon earth but the great fire, and bones innumerable;
+by estimation it seemed to them thirty fother. Arthur then knew not
+any good counsel, and began him to speak to Beduer, his earl:--
+"Beduer, go quickly down from this hill, and pass thee over the deep
+water, with all thy weeds; and with wisdom advance to the fire; and go
+thou aside, and behold diligently, if thou mayest find ought of the
+fiend. And if thou mayest him perceive, in wise of any kind, go down
+still, until thou come to the water, and say me there soon what thou
+hast seen. And if it so befalleth, that thou come to the fire, and the
+fiend thee perceive, and proceed toward thee, have my good horn, that
+all with gold is adorned, and blow it with strength, as man shall for
+need. And advance thee to the fiend, and begin to fight, and we shall
+come to thee, as most quickly we may do it. And if thou findest him
+near the fire and thou all unperceived back mayest go; then forbid I
+thee, by thy bare life, that thou ever with the monster begin fight."
+
+Beduer heard what his lord said to him; his weapons he put him on, and
+forth he went, and ascended up the mount that was immense. He bare in
+his hand a spear exceeding strong; a shield on his back, ornamented
+all with gold; a helm on his head, high, of steel; his body was
+covered with a fair burny; he had by his side a brand all of steel;
+and forth he gan step, the powerfully strong earl, until he arrived
+near the fire; and he under a tree gan him tarry. Then heard he one
+weep, wondrously much, weep and whine with piteous cries. Then the
+knight weened that it were the giant, and he became incensed as if it
+were a wild boar, and soon forgot what his lord said to him. His
+shield he drew on his breast, his spear he grasped fast, and near gan
+wend toward the fire; he thought to find the stern fiend, that he
+might fight, and prove himself. Then found he there a woman shaking
+with her head, a hoary-locked wife, who wept for her wretchedness; she
+cursed her lot that she was alive; that sate by the fire, with piteous
+cries, and sat and ever she beheld a grave, and said her words with
+plaintive voice: "Alas! Helen; alas! dear maid; alas! that I thee fed,
+that I thee fostered; alas! that the monster hath thee here thus
+destroyed; alas! that I was born; my limbs he hath broken in pieces!"
+
+Then looked the woman about, where the giant should arrive; and looked
+on the Earl Beduer, who was come there. Then said the woman hoar,
+where she sate by the fire: "What are thou, fair wight? art thou
+angel, art thou knight? are thy wings hung with gold? If thou art from
+heaven, thou mayest in safety go hence, and if thou art earthly
+knight, harm thou wilt have forth-right. For now anon cometh the
+monster that all thy limbs will draw in pieces; though thou wert all
+steel, he would thee destroy, every bit. He went to Britanny, to the
+best of all mansions, to Howel's castle, noble man in Britanny; the
+gates he all brake in pieces, and within he gan wend. He took the hall
+wall, and pulled it to ground; the chamber's door he cast down, so
+that it burst in five; he found in the chamber the fairest of all
+maids; Helen she was named, of noble race; Howel's daughter, noble man
+of Britanny, Arthur's relative of most noble lineage. I was her
+foster-mother, and fair her fostered. There the giant took us forth
+with himself, fifteen miles, into this wild wood, hither to this same
+place; thus he us treated to-day a sen'night. So soon as he hither
+came, so he took the maid; he would have carnal intercourse with the
+maiden. Age had she no more but fifteen years; the maiden might not
+endure his force; anon so he lay with her, her life she lost soon! And
+here he her buried, fairest of all maids, Helen, mine own foster,
+Howel's daughter! When he had this done, so myself he took; on the
+ground he me laid, and lay with myself. Now hath he all my bones
+loathsomely broken; my limbs all dismembered; my life to me is odious!
+Now I have thee told, how we are led here. Flee now quickly, least he
+thee find; for if he cometh enraged, with his direful onsets, was he
+never born that may stand thee before!"
+
+Even with these words that the woman said, Beduer gan to comfort her
+with fair words: "Dear mother, I am a man, and knight am brave; and I
+will say thee through my sooth words, that no champion was born of
+ever any lady, that man may not with strength stoop him to ground; and
+serve thee an old woman--very little are thy powers. But have now very
+goodday, and I will go my way."
+
+Down went him Beduer to his sovereign, and told him how he had care,
+and all how he had fared, and what the old woman told him of the
+maiden, and how the giant each day by the old woman lay. There they
+them between held their communing, how they might take on, so that the
+fiend were destroyed.
+
+The while arrived the giant, and proceeded to his fire; he bare upon
+his back a great burthen, that was twelve swine, tied together, with
+withies exceeding great wreathed altogether. Adown he threw the dead
+swine, and himself sate thereby; his fire he gan mend, and great trees
+laid thereon; the six swine he drew in pieces, and ever he to the
+woman smiled, and soon by a while he lay by the woman. But he knew not
+of the tiding that came to his lemman. He drew out his embers; his
+flesh he gan to roast; and all the six swine he gan eat ere he arose
+from his seat, all besmeared in the ashes—-evil were the viands; and
+afterwards he gan to roar, and vociferated much, and down lay by the
+fire, and stretched his limbs.
+
+Let we now the giant be, and go to the king. Arthur at the water took
+his weapons in hand, and the Earl Beduer, good knight, wise and wary;
+and the third was Kay, the king's steward and his relative. Over the
+water they came, weaponed with the best, and ascended up the hill with
+all their strength, until they arrived near the fire, where the giant
+lay and slept, and the woman sate and wept. Arthur drew him beside and
+spake to his companions; forbade them by their limbs and by their bare
+life, that none were so keen that they should come near, unless they
+saw that it were need. Beduer tarried him there, and Kay, his
+companion.
+
+Arthur gan step forth, sturdy-mooded warrior, until he came to the
+floor, where the fiend lay and slept. Ever was Arthur void of fear;
+that was manifest therein, wondrous though it seem; for Arthur might
+there have hewed the giant in pieces, slain the monster where he lay
+and slept; then would not Arthur no whit touch him in his sleep, lest
+he in future days should hear upbraiding. Then called Arthur anon,
+noblest of kings: "Arise, fiend-monster, to thy destruction! Now we
+shall avenge the death of my relative!"
+
+Ere the king had this fully said, the giant up started, and grasped
+his mickle club, and weened with the blow to dash Arthur all in
+pieces; but Arthur drew his shield high above his helm; and the giant
+smote thereon above, so that all it gan to shiver. And Arthur struck
+at him in haste with his sword, and smote off him the chin, with all
+the hair, and started him behind a tree, that there stood near; and
+the giant smote after quickly, and hit him not, but he smote the tree,
+so that his club brake all in pieces. And Arthur quickly ran round
+about the tree; and so Arthur and the monster ran round it thrice
+about. Then was the giant exceeding heavy, and Arthur was the swifter,
+and overtook the giant, and up heaved his good brand, and smote from
+him the thigh; and the giant down fell.
+
+And Arthur stopt and beheld; then gan the fiend to speak: "Lord, lord,
+give me peace; who is it that fighteth with me? I weened not that any
+man in this world's realm might me thus lightly defeat in fight,
+except it were Arthur, noblest of all kings; and nevertheless was I
+never of Arthur sore afraid." Then said Arthur to him, noblest of
+kings: "I am Arthur the king, Britain's darling. Tell me of thy race,
+and where is their habitation; and who should be to thee father or
+mother accounted on earth; and from what land thou art hither arrived;
+and why thou hast destroyed with murder my relative?" Then answered
+the fiend, where he lay and beheld: "All this I will do, and thy troth
+receive, on condition that thou let me live, and heal my limbs."
+Arthur him wrathed, wondrously much; and he called Beduer, his bold
+champion: "Go near, Beduer, and take off from him here the head; and
+carry it forth with thee, down from this mount." Beduer came near, and
+deprived him of his head; and so they proceeded thence down to their
+companions. Then sate the king down, and gan him rest; and said these
+words Arthur the good: "Never fought I any such fight, upon this land,
+but when I slew the King Riun, upon the mount of Ravin!"
+
+Afterwards they forth went, and came to the host; when that they the
+head saw, wondrous it seemed to them, wherever under heaven were such
+head begotten! Howel of Britanny came to the king, and the king said
+to him all of the maiden. Then was Howel sorry, and sorrowful
+therefore in heart; and took all his companions, and fared to the
+mount where the British maid lay buried in earth. He caused there to
+be areared soon a church most fair, in Saint Mary's name, the Lord's
+mother; and afterwards he gave a name to the hill, ere he thence
+departed, and named it Helen's Tomb,--now it hight Mount Saint Michel.
+
+Then was Arthur's host numerously collected; from Ireland, from
+Scotland, thither were they come. Then caused the king the trumpets to
+be blown in the host, and marched from Britain, busy men and keen,
+throughout Normandy, that then hight Neustrie. They proceeded
+throughout France, and the folk marched after them; they went out of
+France into Burgundy. His spies there came, and held his companions;
+and made known to the king, there in the country, that Luces the
+emperor, and all his Romanish host, thitherward they came, out of
+their land, and so they would march in toward France; and all the land
+conquer; and afterwards proceed hither, and kill all the Britons,
+quick that they found, and Arthur the keen led bound to France. Then
+was enraged the boldest of all kings, and ordered all his tents to be
+pitched in the fields; and there he would abide until he the sooth
+knew, where he might the emperor certainly intercept (or hostilely
+engage). The water hight Albe, where the bold king lay. A wise knight
+there came riding to the king's host, who was all wounded, and his
+folk greatly felled; the Romanish men had bereaved him of all his
+land. He told to the king new tiding, where the emperor lay, and all
+his Romanish army, and where he might him find, if he him would with
+him fight, or make peace with the Romanish men. "But, lord Arthur,"
+quoth the knight, "I will shew to thee here right, that better for
+thee is it to have friendship, than for to fight; for against thy two
+they have twelve; so many kings, so many chieftains! He is in no land
+who may it make known to thee, for all the folk, that followeth the
+emperor, without (besides) the Rome-people, of his own territory, and
+without the folk that yearn the king's favour."
+
+When the tales were all told, and Arthur had them understood, then
+called the king forth-right his dearest knights, and they counselled
+them between a castle to arear, beside the water that Albe was named.
+On a spot exceeding fair it was built full soon, there helped many a
+hand, in haste was it done; for if Arthur mis-fared, when he came to
+the fight, or his folk fell, or set to flight, then thought he to
+remain in the strong castle. Then called he earls twain, noble men and
+wise; high men born, to the king exceeding dear; the one was of
+Chartres, and hight Gerin--much wisdom dwelt with him; the other hight
+Beof of Oxford--well wide sprang the earl's fame. The yet the king
+called Walwain, who was his dearest relative; for Walwain understood
+Romanish; Walwain understood British; he was nurtured in Rome well
+many winters. The king took these three knights fair, and to the
+emperor them sent, and bade him with his army go back to Rome, and
+that he never into France his host should lead. "And if thou thither
+marchest, and leadest thine host, thou shalt be received to thy
+destruction! For France is mine own land, and I won it with fight; and
+if thou wilt not relinquish, that thou wilt not hither come, go we two
+to the fight, and fall the worst; and let we the poor folk dwell in
+quiet. For whilom the Rome-people conquered all the land, and
+afterwards they losed the land with fight; and I with fight it won,
+and with fight will hold."
+
+Forth the knights went, goodly champions; that was, Gerin, and Beof
+the fair, and Walwain the bold, cuirassed and helmeted on their noble
+steeds; and each carried on his shoulder a shield exceeding good; they
+bare in their hands spears most strong. Forth they gan ride, noble
+men, from the host; much of the folk that with Arthur dwelt, with
+Walwain went, and earnestly prayed him, that he should raise some
+dispute with the Rome-folk:--"That we may with fight prove ourselves;
+for it is many years that (since) their threats came here; and their
+menace they make, that they will us behead. Now is it much folk-shame,
+if it thus shall allay, unless there be some strife ere we become
+reconciled; shafts broken in pieces, burnies torn, shields shivered,
+warriors hewed, and swords bathed in the red blood." Forth the earls
+proceeded through a great wood, and marked a way that over a mount
+lay, so that they came soon to the folk of Rome; worthily weaponed
+they rode on their horses. There men might behold, the man who were
+beside, many thousands throng out of the tents, all to behold these
+three bold knights, and beheld their steeds, and beheld their weeds,
+and hearkened tidings from Arthur the king. And next forthright
+questioned the knights, and if the king had sent them to the emperor,
+for to speak with the emperor, and to yearn his peace. But for never
+any speech these three noble earls would abide, ere they came riding
+before the tent's door, wherein was the emperor. Down they gan alight,
+and delivered their steeds; and so they weaponed with all advanced
+into the tent, before the emperor that Luces was named. Where he sate
+on his bed their errand they to him made known; each said his say as
+to him seemed best, and bade him go back to his land, so that he never
+more with hostility should seek France. The while that these three
+earls said their errand, the emperor sate as if he were dumb, and
+answer never any gave to these earls; but he listened eagerly, wicked
+in his thought. Then Walwain became angry, as a thane enraged; and
+said these words Walwain the keen: "Luces the mighty, thou art emperor
+of Rome! We are Arthur's men, noblest of Britons. He sendeth to thee
+his messengers, without greeting; he bids thee march to Rome, that is
+thine own realm, and let him hold France, that he won with fight; and
+hold thou thy realm, and thy Rome-folk. Whilom thy ancestors invaded
+France; with fight they there won immense possessions; so awhile they
+there lived, and afterwards they it lost. With fight Arthur it won,
+and he it will possess. He is our lord, we are his warriors; he
+ordered us to say sooth to thyself, if thou wilt not back march, thy
+bane he will be. And if thou wilt not back turn, but execute thy will,
+and thou wilt win the kingdom to thine own hand, now to-morrow is the
+day, have it if thou it may obtain"
+
+Then answered the emperor, with great wrath: "I will not back march,
+but France I will win; my ancestors it held, and I will it have. But
+if he would become my man, and acknowledge me for lord, and truely
+serve me, and hold me for master, I will make peace with him, and all
+his men; and let him hold Britain, that Julius had awhile in his hand,
+and many other lands, that Julius had in hand, that he hath no right
+to, though he possess the realm, that he shall all lose, unless he
+make peace."
+
+Then answered Walwain, who was Arthur's relative: "Belin and Brenne,
+both the brothers, Britain they possessed, and France they conquered;
+and afterwards they marched soon, and won Rome, and there they dwelt
+afterwards well many years. When this was all done, then was Brenne
+emperor, and ruled Rome, and all the people. And thus is Rome our
+right, that thou holdest in hand, and if we may live, we will it have,
+unless thou wilt acknowledge that Arthur is king over thee, and each
+year send him tribute of thy land; and if thou goest to him in amity,
+thou mayest live the quieter!"
+
+Then sate by the emperor a knight of his kin, named Quencelin; noble
+man in Rome. This knight answered before the emperor, and thus him
+said--the knight was wicked:--"Knights, return you back, and make
+known to your king, that the Britons are bold, but they are accounted
+worthless; for ever they make boast--their honour is little!" More he
+thought to say, when Walwain drew his sword, and smote him upon the
+head, so that it fell in two, and he hastily anon ran to his horse;
+and they up leapt with grim countenance; and these words said Walwain
+the good: "So help me the same Lord, that formed the daylight, if ever
+any of your men is so keen, that after us he pursue, I will him kill,
+he shall be cut in pieces with my broad sword!" Even with the same
+speech then called the emperor: "Hold them! hold! They all shall hang
+upon high trees, or with horses be drawn in pieces!" Even with this
+saying that the emperor said, the earls gan to ride, and spurred their
+steeds; they shook in their hands spears exceeding long; bare their
+broad shields before breast. Soon gan to ride the bold earls, and ever
+the emperor loud gan to Call: "Seize them! slay them! They have us
+disgraced!" There men might hear, who were there beside, thousands of
+the people call: "Hither, hither, weapons! Go we after them! Hither
+our shields; the men will escape!" Soon after them went weaponed
+warriors; there six, there seven, there eight, there nine. And ever
+the earls rode quickly, and ever awhile looked behind them; and ever
+the knights of Rome quick after came.
+
+And there came near a knight, riding swiftest of all, and ever he
+called most keenly: "Turn again, knights, and defend you with fight!
+It is to you much shame, that ye will fly." Walwain knew the shout of
+the Romanish men; he turned his steed, and to him gan ride; and smote
+him through with the spear, as if he were spitted, and drew to him the
+spear--the man died soon--and these words said Walwain the keen:
+"Knight, thou rodest too fast; better were it to thee (haddest thou
+been) at Rome!" Marcel hight the knight, of noble lineage. When
+Walwain saw that he fell to ground, soon his sword he out drew, and
+smote from Marcel the head; and these words said Walwain the good:
+"Marcel, go to hell, and there tell them tales, and dwell there for
+ever, with Quencelin, thy companion; and hold there your
+communing,--better it were to you in Rome; for thus we shall teach you
+our British speech!"
+
+Gerin saw how it fared, how that the Romanish lay there down; and
+spurred his horse, and met another, and smote him throughout with his
+spear, and these words spake: "Ride now so, Roman, and sink thee to
+hell, and thus we shall sink you, if God will us help! Threat is worth
+nought, unless there be deeds eke!" Beof saw, the brave man, how his
+comrades had done; and turned his horse wondrously quick, and with all
+his might advanced to a knight, and smote him above the shield, so
+that his good burny burst, and throughout the neck the spear drove
+full soon. And thus the earl gan to call keenly to his companions:
+"The Britons will us destroy, if we hence go, unless we the better
+begin ere we hence depart!" Even with the speech that the earl said,
+they turned them soon, wondrously prompt; and each drew his sword
+quickly, and each slew his Roman; and afterwards their horses they
+turned, and held their way. And the Romanish men rode ever after them;
+oft they smote on them, oft they them reproached; oft they said to
+them: "Ye shall pay for the deed!" but they might not through anything
+any of them down bring, nor any harm there do to them in the
+conflicts. But ever awhile the earls back turned, and ere they
+separated, the worse was to the Rome-folk.
+
+Thus they proceeded fifteen miles, until they came to a place under a
+fair wood, hard by the castle where Arthur lay fast. Three miles
+therefrom to the wood thronged nine thousand bold Britons, whom Arthur
+thither sent, who best knew the land; they would learn the sooth, of
+Walwain the keen, and of his companions, how they had fared; whether
+they were alive, or they lay by the way. These knights proceeded
+through the wood wondrously still, upon a hill, and eagerly beheld.
+They caused all the horsemen to alight in the wood, and get ready
+their weapons, and all their weeds (garments), except an hundred men,
+that there should look out, if they might descry through thing of any
+kind. Then saw they afar, in a great plain, three knights ride with
+all their main. After the three knights there came thirty; after the
+thirty they saw three thousand; thereafter came thronging thirty
+thousand anon, of Romanish folk, clad in armour. And ever the earls
+before them quickly rode, ever the right way that toward the wood lay,
+where their comrades were well hid. The earls rode to the wood; the
+Romanish men rode after; the Britons attacked them on their rested
+steeds, and smote in front, and felled an hundred anon. Then weened
+the Rome-folk that Arthur came riding, and were very greatly afraid;
+and the Britons pursued after them, and slew of the folk fifteen
+hundred. Then came them to help sixteen thousand of their own folk,
+whom Arthur had thither sent, bold Britons, with burnies clad.
+
+Then came there riding one that was a rich earl, named Petreius, a
+noble man of Rome, with six thousand warriors, to help the Romanish
+forces; and with great strength they leapt to the Britons, and few
+there they captured, but many they slew. The Britons fled to the wood;
+the others pursued after them; and the Britons on foot firmly against
+them stood, and the Romanish men fought riding; and the Britons
+advanced to them, and slew their horses, and many there took, and into
+the wood drew. Then was Petreius wrath, that his force was there the
+worse; and he with his host retreated from the wood; and the Britons
+followed them, and slew them behind. When the Britons were out of the
+wood, come out in the field, then withstood the Rome-folk with fierce
+strength. Then began the mickle fight!—there fell earls and many a
+good knight; there fell in that day fifteen thousand of noble men, ere
+it were even. There might he find, whoso would prove his strength,
+hand against hand, the strong against the strong, shield against
+shield, knights there fell! The paths ran with bloody streams;
+goldcoloured shields lay over the fields; all the day long they held
+the strong fight. Petreius on this side his folk held together; then
+it soon happened that the Britons had the worse. The noble Earl of
+Oxford, who was named Beof, a noble British man, saw that, that in no
+wise might it be, that the Britons should not fall, unless they had
+counsel. The earl then called to him noble knights, of the best of
+all, the Britons, and of the keenest of all, that there were alive,
+and drew him in the field, near the host; and thus him said—in heart
+to him was uneasiness: "Knights, hearken now to me; the Lord us help!
+We are hither come, and have undertaken this fight, without Arthur's
+counsel who is our chief. If to us good befalleth, we shall please him
+the better, and if to us befalleth evil, he will hate us. But if ye
+will do my counsel, then shall we ride all merry. We are three hundred
+knights, helmed thanes, brave men and keen, nobly born; shew ye your
+courage—-we are of one kith--ride ye when I ride, and follow my
+counsel. Advance ye all to him, to the knight that I do; take ye no
+steed, nor any knight's weed, but every good knight slay ever
+downright!"
+
+Even with the words that the knight of Oxford said to his companions
+beside, then gan he to ride, even all they rode then as swift as hound
+driveth the hart, and his comrades after, with all their might,
+throughout the mickle fight, all the troop; they flew on their steeds;
+the folk they there killed. Woe was to them born, that were in the way
+before them, for all they it trod down, with horses and with steeds;
+and so they came near, and Petreius they captured. Beof rode to him,
+and with arms him clasped, and drew him off his steed, and on earth
+him stretched; he knew beside him were his bold knights. The Britons
+down smote; Petreius they drew along; and the Rome-folk fought boldly;
+and at the last man might not know who smote other; there was much
+blood shed, mischief was in the conflict! Then saw Walwain truly,
+where he was beside; with seven hundred knights he gan thither move,
+and what he found in his way, all he it destroyed. And riding he took
+Petreius, on his good steed; and led forth Petreius, loath though it
+were to him, until they came to the wood, where he well knew surely to
+hold the noble man of Rome; and eft out in the field proceeded, and
+began to fight. There men might see sorrow enough! shields break;
+knights fall; helms dropping; noble men dying; bloody fields; paled
+faces! The Britons rushed towards them; then the Rome-folk fled; and
+the Britons them slew, and many they took alive; and when the day
+ended woe was to the Rome-folk, woe! Then bound men fast the Romanish
+knights, and led them to the wood, before Walwain; twenty hundred
+knights watched them in the night.
+
+When it was day on the morrow, the folk gan to stir; forth they gan
+march to their sovereign, and brought him such offering, that was lief
+to him to have. Then spake him Arthur thus: "Welcome, Petreius! Now is
+one here that will teach thee British speech. Thou boasted before the
+emperor, that thou wouldest me kill; take all my castles, and my
+kingdom; and much good should be to thee of that thou desiredest to
+have. I will give thee, full truly, my castle in Paris; and there thou
+shalt dwell, as to thee will be most loathsome of all; shalt thou
+nevermore thy life thence lead!" Arthur took the knights that there
+were captured, three hundred riders he took eke anon, who all were
+comrades, knights most brave, and keen men in fight, and bade them on
+the morrow manly arise, bind the Romanish men with strong chains, and
+lead Petreius to the burgh of Pans. Four earls he commanded to bring
+them forth; Cador, Borel, Beduer, and Richer; he ordered them to be
+companions, so that they were secure, and to come again soon to their
+sovereign.
+
+This was all thus spoken, but it was soon known. Spies went over the
+king's host, and heard say sooth words, whither Arthur would send the
+knights that he had in bonds; and the spies forthright proceeded forth
+by night, until they came soon to the emperor of Rome, and told all
+their tale, how these four earls should march, and lead forth Petreius
+to the burgh of Paris; and all they told the way that in to Paris lay,
+and where men might them intercept in a deep valley, and take from
+them Petreius the noble man, and the four earls conquer, and fast them
+bind. Luces heard this, the emperor of Rome, and he leapt to weapon as
+it were a lion; and ordered ten thousand chosen knights to horse and
+to arms, quickly forwards to march. He called Sextonus, of Lybia he
+was king, of Turkey duke; he sent after Evander, who from Babylon was
+come there; he called to the senators Bal, Catel, and Carnus,--these
+were all of royal birth, and these were all chosen,—-promptly to ride,
+and to liberate Petreius.
+
+Anon as it was even forth they marched; twelve knights them led of the
+people that were exceeding wary, and knew the ways. When the Rome-folk
+rode, resounded burnies; they set on their heads high helms; shields
+on their backs—-the valiant Rome-folk. They marched all night,
+exceedingly fast, until they came in the way that into Paris lay; then
+were they before, and the Britons behind. But alas! that Cador the
+keen knew it not, that the Rome-folk had before rode them! They came
+in a wood, in a spot exceeding fair, in a deep dale, dark on the
+sides; they swore between them, that there they would engage. There
+they lay still a little while; and it gan to dawn, and the beasts gan
+to stir. Then came Arthur's men advancing by way, right the same way
+where the other host lay; they rode singing—the men were blithe!
+Nevertheless Cador was there, most wise and most wary; he and Borel
+the earl rich, advanced them together, and took between them five
+hundred knights, and marched before, weaponed champions. Richer and
+Beduer came behind them there, and led the knights, whom they had
+captured, Petreius and his companions, who were taken. Then came they
+riding upon the Rome-folk; and the Rome-folk rushed towards them with
+fierce strength, and smote on the Britons with exceeding bitter blows;
+brake the Britons' ranks--mischief was among the folk--the wood gan
+resound, warriors there fell! The Britons withstood them, and strongly
+defended themselves. Richer heard that, and the earl Beduer, how their
+comrades before them fought. Petreius they took, and all their
+prisoners, and with three hundred swains sent them into the wood. And
+they themselves advanced toward their comrades, and smote on the
+Rome-folk with fierce strength; there was many a blow given, and many
+a man there was slain. Then perceived Evander, who was a heathen king
+most wary, that their folk gan wax, and the Britons gan wane; and his
+best knights approached them together, and advanced upon the Britons,
+as if they would them bite. The Britons then were weakened, and theirs
+was the worse; they (the Romans) slew, they took all that they came
+nigh.
+
+Woe was there to the Britons without Arthur! Their remedy was too
+little there, at their great need. There was Borel slam, and deprived
+of life-day. Evander the king him killed with his wicked craft, and
+three Britons eke, high men born. There were slain three hundred of
+their companions; and many they took alive, and fast them bound;—-then
+knew they not any good counsel, for they all weened to be dead;
+nevertheless they fought as bravely as they might.
+
+Then had out marched from Arthur's host the king of Poitou, hardy man
+renowned; Guitard he hight; Gascony he possessed; he had for
+companions five hundred riders, three hundred archers, keen men to
+fight, and seven hundred on foot that were prompt for harm. They were
+gone in to the land to obtain fodder, both fodder and meat, to carry
+to their host. The clamour they heard of the Rome-folk, their deeds
+they relinquished, and thitherward gan ride the strong mooded men and
+swift, of sloth devoid, until they came soon near to the fight.
+Guitard and his knights there right forthright grasped their shields,
+knights most bold; and all the archers pressed them beside; and the
+men on foot gan advance; and all together they on smote, with their
+smart blows. At the first onset the Romanish men fell; fifteen hundred
+to the ground; there was slain Evander, who was ere king full stern;
+Catellus of Rome forgot there his decrees! Then made they there
+flight, who ere held conflict; the Rome-folk turned the backs, and
+fled. The Britons pursued after them, and greeted them with mischief;
+and so many there they took, and so many there they slew, that the
+Britons' host might not fell any more! And the Romanish men, that
+there might escape, rode full soon to the emperor, and told him tiding
+of Arthur the king,--for they weened in sooth that Arthur thither were
+come; then was the emperor and his host greatly afraid, whom the
+Britons had slain--that to them seemed good. Backward they (the
+Britons) then went, with bold booty, and came again to the place where
+the fight had been, and buried the dead, and the alive they gan forth
+lead. And they sent after Petreius, whom they previously captured, and
+after his companions, that were previously taken, and sent them all
+full truly in to the burgh of Paris, and filled three castles, and
+fast them inclosed, after Arthur's command, noblest of all kings. All
+the Britons loved Arthur; to all of them stood dread of him that dwelt
+in the land, so did it to the emperor, of Arthur he had mickle care;
+and all the Rome-folk of Arthur were afraid.
+
+Then was it in sooth found, what Merlin whilom said, that Rome should
+for Arthur fall in fire, and the walls of stone quake and fall. This
+same token should be of Luces the emperor, and of the senators, who
+with him came from Rome; and in the same wise, they there gan fall;
+what Merlin in fore-days said, all they it found there, as they did
+ere, and subsequently well everywhere; ere Arthur were born, Merlin it
+all predicted.
+
+The emperor heard say sooth words, how his men were taken, and how his
+folk was eke slain. Then were in his army manifold sorrows; some
+lamented their friends; some threatened their enemies; some got ready
+their weapons—-mischief was given to them! Then saw Luces, that evil
+was befallen to him, for each day he lost of his people, but he the
+harm felt, his noble men he lost. He became then afraid wondrously
+much, and betook him to counsel and to some communing, that he would
+march to Aust, with all his host; forth by Lengres he would
+proceed,—-of Arthur he had mickle care!
+
+Arthur had his spies in the army of the emperor, and they soon caused
+him to know whither he (the emperor) would go. Arthur caused soon his
+host to be assembled, stilly by night his best knights; and forth the
+king marched with his good folk. On his right hand he let Lengres
+stand, and proceeded forward in the way that Luces would pass. When he
+came in a dale, under a down, there he gan halt, keenest of all
+kings,—-the dale is in sooth named Sosie. Arthur there alighted down,
+and ordered all his people that they in haste should get ready their
+weapons, and prepare them to fight, as brave knights should; so that
+when the Rome folk there should come riding, that they should attack
+them, as brave knights should do. All the swains, and the impotent
+thanes, and of the small (base) folk many thousands, the king set them
+on a hill, with many standards,--that he did for stratagem; thereof he
+thought to boast, as it afterwards happened, thereafter full soon.
+Arthur took ten thousand of his noble knights, and sent on the right
+hand, clad in armour, he caused other ten thousand to march on his
+left hand; ten thousand before; ten thousand behind, with himself he
+held sixteen thousand; aside he sent into a fair wood seventeen
+thousand good knights, well weaponed men, the wood to guard, so that
+they might fare thither, if to him were need. Then was of Gloucester
+an earl with the best, Moruith he was named, a man exceeding keen; to
+him he committed the wood and the host. "And if it befalleth, as the
+living God will, that they be overcome, and begin to flee; pursue ye
+after them, with all your might, and all that ye may overtake deprive
+it of life-day; the fat and the lean, the rich and the poor. For in
+never any land, nor in any nation are knights all so good as are with
+myself, knights all so brave, knights all so powerful, knights all so
+strong, in ever any land! Ye are under Christ knights keenest of all,
+and I am mightiest of all kings under God himself. Do we well this
+deed, God us well speed!" The knights then answered, stilly under
+heaven: "All we shall well do, and all we shall undertake; nuthing be
+the knight, that sheweth not his might here right!" Then sent they on
+both sides, all the men on foot; then caused he the Dragon to be set
+up, the matchless standard, delivered it to a king who well could it
+hold. Angel, King of Scotland, held in hand (commanded) the foremost
+troop; Cador, the Earl of Cornwall, held the troop behind; Beof had
+one, the Earl of Oxford; the Earl of Chester, Gerin, the fourth troop
+held with him. The force upon the down held AEscil, King of Denmark.
+Lot held the one, who was dear to the king, Howel of Britanny held
+another. Walwain the keen was by the king. Kay commanded one, who was
+steward of the king; Beduer another, who was the king's cup-bearer.
+The Earl of Flanders, Howeldin, had a troop with him. A mickle troop
+had Gwitard, the King of Gascony land. Wigein, Earl of Leicester, and
+Jonathas, Earl of Dorchester, they commanded the two troops that there
+were on foot. The Earl of Chester, Cursaleyn, and the Earl of Bath,
+who hight Urgein, they commanded both the troops that were there
+beside; these should on two sides advance to the fight, with these two
+earls, that brave knights were,--Arthur had troth the earls were true.
+When all the troops were set as Arthur thought good, then called to
+him the King of Britain all his councillors, that were skilfullest in
+judgment; and thus said Arthur anon to his noble men: "Hearken now
+towards me, my dear friends; ye have twice attacked the Romanish men,
+and twice they are overcome, and slain, and captured, because they all
+with wrong covet our land. And my heart saith to me, through our high
+Lord, that yet they shall be overcome, both slain and captured. Ye
+have overcome Norwegians; ye have overcome Danes, Scotland and Ireland
+ye have all won to your hand; Normandy and France ye have conquered
+with fight. Three and thirty kingdoms I hold in mine own hand, that ye
+have won for me under the sun! And these are the worst men of all men
+alive; heathen people! To God they are loathsome; our Lord they
+desert, and to Mahoun they draw. And Luces, the emperor, of God's self
+hath no care, who hath for companions heathen hounds, God's enemies;
+we shall them destroy, and lay them to ground, and ourselves be safe,
+with the Lord's will, that ruleth all deeds!" Then answered the earls
+there: "All we are ready, to live and to lie with our dear king!"
+
+When this army was all prepared, then was it daylight; and Luces at
+Langres moved, and all his Rome-folk; he commanded his men to blow his
+golden trumpets, get ready his host, for forth he would march from
+Lengres to Aust, as his way right lay. And forth gan ride the Romanish
+people, until they came a mile near to Arthur.
+
+Then heard the Rome-folk hard tidings; they saw all the dales, and all
+the downs, and all the hills covered with helms; high standards,
+warriors them held, sixty thousand waving with the wind; shields
+glitter, burnies shine; gold-coloured vests, men most stern; steeds
+leap—-the earth stirred! The emperor saw the king fare, where he was
+by the wood-shaw; then said he Luces, the lord of Rome, and spake with
+his men with loud voice: "What are these outlaws, that have preceded
+us in this way? Take we our weapons, and march we to them; they shall
+be slain, and some alive flayed, they all shall be dead, with torment
+destroyed!" Even with the words they seized their weapons. When they
+were arrayed with their good weapons, then spake soon Luces, the lord
+of Rome: "Quickly advance we to them; we all shall do well!" There
+were come with him five and twenty kings, heathen folk all, that held
+of Rome, earls and eke dukes, of the eastern world. "Lordings," quoth
+Luces then, "Mahoun be gracious to you! Ye are powerful kings, and
+obey unto Rome. Rome is my right, richest of all burghs; and I ought
+to be highest of all men alive. Ye see here on the field those who are
+our foes; they think to rule highly over our realm; hold us for base,
+and themselves become rich. But we shall oppose them with bold
+strength; for our race was highest of all men alive, and won all the
+lands that they looked on; and Julius the strong marched into Britain,
+and won to his hands many kingdoms. Now would our underlings be kings
+over us, but they shall buy it with their bare backs; never again
+shall they return to Britain!"
+
+Even with the words then moved the army; by thousands and by thousands
+they thronged together; each king prepared host of his folk. When it
+was all formed, and the army appointed, then were there right told
+full fifteen hosts; two kings there were ever comrades; four earls and
+a duke disposed them together, and the emperor by himself, with ten
+thousand champions. When the folk gan to stir, the earth gan to din;
+trumpets there blew; hosts were arrayed; horns there resounded with
+loud voice, sixty thousand blew together. More there sounded of
+Arthur's companions than sixty thousand men with horns; the welkin gan
+to din, the earth gan to tremble! Together they charged as if heaven
+would fall! First they let fly, exceedingly quick darts all as thick
+as the snow down falleth; stones they let afterwards sternly wind
+through the air. Then cracked spears; shivered spears,—-helms rolled,
+noble men fell; —-burnies brake in pieces, blood outflowed;—-the
+fields were discoloured, standards fell! Wounded knights over all
+wandered over the weald, and sixty hundred there were trodden to death
+by horses! Knights there perished, blood out ran;—-flowed by paths
+bloody streams,—-woe was among the folk,—-the harm was without bounds!
+So all as say the writings that skilful men made, that was the third
+greatest battle that ever here was fought, so that at the last no
+warrior knew on whom he should smite, and whom he should spare; for no
+man knew other there, for the quantity of blood!
+
+Then removed the fight from the place where they ere fought, and they
+began widely to rush together; and a new conflict began, narrowly
+contested;—-there were the Rome-people grievously treated! Then came
+there three kings, of heathen land; of Ethiopia was the one; the
+second was an African; the third was of Lybia, of heathen land. They
+came to the host at the east end, and brake the body-of-troops that
+the Britons there held, and anon felled fifteen hundred bold thanes of
+Arthur's folk; then the Britons turned the backs soon. But then came
+there riding two keen earls, that was, Beduer and Kay, Arthur's
+cup-bearer and his relative; their Britons they saw hewed in pieces
+with swords. There became enraged the earls most bold, and with ten
+thousand knights pressed to the fight, amid the throng, where they
+were thickest, and slew the Rome-folk very grievously; and went over
+the fight, after their will. Then were they too daring, and ruled them
+too evilly; alas! alas! that they were not then wary; that they could
+not guard themselves against their enemies! For they were too keen,
+and too presumptuous, and fought too rashly, and too far advanced, and
+spread too widely over the broad conflict. Then came the King of
+Media, the mickle and the broad; a heathen chief,—-there he harm
+wrought; he led for companions twenty thousand riders; he held in his
+hand a spear exceeding strong. The spear he forth thrust with his
+strong might, and smote the Earl Beduer before in the breast, so that
+the burny soon burst, before and behind, and his breast was opened;
+the blood came forth lukewarm. There fell Beduer anon, dead upon the
+ground; there was misery and sorrow enow! There Kay found Beduer lie
+him dead there, and Kay would carry away the body with himself; with
+twenty hundred knights he approached thereabout, and strongly fought,
+and felled the Rome-folk, and slew there many thousand men of Media;
+the fight was exceeding strong, and they were thereat long. Then
+arrived there a king most hateful, with sixty thousand good men of his
+land; Setor the keen, who came him from Lybia. There the strong king
+gan him fight with Kay, and wounded Kay sorely in the strong fight, to
+the bare death—-grievous was the deed!
+
+His knights there right carried him from the fight, with mickle
+strength through the fight they pierced. Woe was to Arthur the king
+for the tiding! That saw the rich thane, who was named Ridwathlan,
+Beduer's sister's son, of noble Britons he was descended, that Boccus
+with his strong spear had slain Beduer. Woe was to him alive, when his
+uncle was dead; for he of all men most him loved. He called knights
+most good of his kindred, and of the dearest of all that he knew
+alive; five hundred by tale advanced together. Then said Ridwathlan,
+noble man of Britain: "Knights, ye are of my kindred, come ye here to
+me, and avenge we Beduer, mine uncle, who was best of our race, whom
+Boccus hath slain with his strong spear. Go we all together, and fell
+our foes!"
+
+Even with the words he forth pushed, and all his noble companions with
+him anon; and Boccus the king they knew, where he was in the combat;
+with his spear and with his shield many a knight he killed. Ridwathlan
+drew out his sword soon, and struck at him, and smote the king on the
+helm, so that it severed in two, and eke the burny-hood, so that it
+(the sword) stopt at the teeth; and the heathen king fell to the
+ground, and his foul soul sank into hell! Ridwathlan then said--cruel
+he was in mood--"Boccus, now thou hast bought dear that Beduer thou
+slew; and thy soul shall now be companion of the Worse!" Even with the
+words, as if it were the wind, he pressed to the fight; as a whirlwind
+doth in the field, when it heaveth the dust high from the earth, all
+so Ridwathlan rushed on his enemies. All they it slew that they came
+nigh, the while that they might wield their noble weapons; in all the
+fight were no knights better, the while that the life lasted them in
+their breasts. Boccus the king they slew, and a thousand of his
+knights; then was Beduer avenged well with the best!
+
+There was a brave earl, of noble race, who was named Leir, lord of
+Boulogne; he beheld in the fight an enemy advance, that was an
+admiral, of Babylon he was prince; much folk he felled down to the
+ground. And the earl that perceived; in heart was to him uneasiness;
+he drew to his breast a broad shield, and he grasped in his hand a
+spear that was most strong, and spurred his horse with all his main,
+and hit the admiral with a smart blow under the breast, that the burny
+gan to burst, so that the spear pierced through there behind him full
+a fathom; the wretch fell to the ground! That saw soon the admiral's
+son, who is named Gecron; and grasped his spear anon, and smote Leir
+the earl sore on the left side, throughout the heart,--the earl down
+fell. Walwain perceived that, where he was in the fight; and he
+wrathed him wondrously much; that saw Howel, noble man of Brittany,
+and he thither advanced, with fifteen hundred men; hardy warriors with
+Howel went; and Walwain before them man most stern of mood; he had for
+comrades five and twenty hundred bold Britons,--then began they to
+fight!
+
+There were the Rome-folk grievously treated; Howel them attacked,
+Walwain them met; there was wondrous cry, the welkin resounded; the
+earth gan to tremble, the stones there shivered! Streams of blood ran
+from the wretched folk, the slaughter was immense, then were the
+Britons weary! Kinard, the Earl of Striguil, left the King Howel, and
+took with him Labius, Rimarc, and Boclovius. These were the keenest
+men that any king had, these were among men earls mighty strong! They
+would not, for their mickle mood (pride), follow Howel the good, but
+by themselves they slew all that they came nigh. That saw a powerful
+man of the Rome-people, how Kinard the keen killed there their folk,
+and the knight gan him alight from his dear steed, and took him in his
+hand a spear made of steel, and bathed it in blood; and he aside went,
+until he came to the spot where Kinard the strong fought. Kinard's
+burny he up raised, and he the earl there slew. Then shouted loud all
+the Rome-folk, and turned to the Britons, and brake their troops; and
+felled the standards, the folk down sank; shields there shivered,
+warriors there fell; there fell to ground fifteen thousand bold
+Britons--mischief there was rife! So lasted long the fight exceeding
+strong.
+
+Walwain gan pass over the mickle slaughter, and assembled all his
+knights, where he found them in the fight. There near came riding
+Howel the mighty; they assembled their fair folk anon, and forth they
+gan wend, and rode to the Rome-folk with strong wrath, and quickly
+approached them, and brake their French ranks. And Walwain forth
+right, there he found Luces the emperor live under shield, and Walwain
+struck at him with the steel sword, and the emperor struck at him, who
+was man exceeding stern; shield against shield, the pieces there flew;
+sword against sword clashed well often, fire flew from the steel; the
+adversaries were enraged! There was fight most strong--all the host
+was stirred! The emperor weened to destroy Walwain, that he might in
+after days boast for the deed. But the Britons thronged towards them,
+most angrily, and the Romanish men liberated their emperor; and they
+charged together as if heaven would fall! All the daylight they held
+afterwards the fight, a little while ere the sun went to ground.
+Arthur then called--noblest of all kings: "Now go we all to them, my
+brave knights! And God himself aid us our enemies to fell!"
+
+Even with the words then blew men the trumpets; fifteen thousand anon
+thronged together to blow horns and trumps; the earth gan to tremble
+for the great blast, for the mickle clamour! The Rome-folk turned
+backs to the fight; standards fell,--noble men perished,--those fled
+who might,--the fated there fell! Much man-slaughter was there; might
+it no man tell, how many hundred men were there hewed in pieces in the
+mickle throng, in the man-slaughter! The emperor was slain in strange
+manner, so that no man of ever any country afterwards ever knew it to
+say, who killed the emperor. But when the fight was all done, and the
+folk was all in joy, then found men the emperor pierced through with a
+spear.
+
+Word came to Arthur, where he was in his tent, that the emperor was
+slam, and deprived of life-day. Arthur caused a tent to be pitched,
+amidst a broad field, and thither caused to be borne Luces the
+emperor, and caused him to be covered with gold coloured clothes, and
+caused him there to be watched three full days, the while he caused to
+be made a work exceeding rich, a long chest; and it to be covered all
+with gold. And he caused to be laid therein Luces of Rome, who was a
+most doughty man, the while his days lasted. The yet did Arthur more,
+noblest of all Britons, Arthur caused to be sought all the powerful
+men, kings and earls, and the richest barons, who in the fight were
+slain, and deprived of life-day; he caused them to be buried with
+great pomp. But he caused three kings to bear Luces the emperor, and
+caused a bier to be made, rich and exceeding lofty; and caused them
+soon to be sent to Rome. And greeted all the Rome-people with a great
+taunt, and said that he sent them the tribute of his land, and eft
+would also send them more greeting, if they would yearn of Arthur's
+gold; and thereafter full soon ride into Rome, and tell them tidings
+of the King of Britain, and Rome-walls repair, that were of yore
+fallen down;--"And so will I rule the fierce Rome-folk!" All this
+boast was idly done, for otherwise it fared, all otherwise it
+happened: the people he left, through wicked tiding, all through
+Modred his relative, wickedest of all men!
+
+In the mickle fight Arthur lost of his knights, five and twenty
+thousand, hewed in pieces on the ground, of Britons most bold,
+bereaved of life. Kay was wounded sore, wondrously much; to Kinun he
+was carried, and soon thereafter he was dead. He was buried there
+beside the castle, among hermits, who was the noble man. Kay hight the
+earl, Kinun the castle, Arthur gave him the town, and he thereat was
+entombed, and set there the name after himself; for Kay's death he
+named it Kain (Caen); now and evermore so it hight there. After Beduer
+was slain, and deprived of life day, Arthur caused him to be borne to
+his castle Baeios (Bayeux), and there he was buried, in the burgh;
+without the south gate in earth men him laid. Howeldin was floated
+forth into Flanders; and all his best knights there floated
+forth-right into the earldoms whence they there came. And all the dead
+in earth men them laid; in Terouane they lie all clean.
+
+Leir, the earl, men carried into Boulogne; and Arthur then thereafter
+dwelt in a land in Burgundy, that to him seemed best; the land he all
+ruled, and all the castles appointed; and said that he would himself
+hold the land. And afterwards he made his threat, that he would in
+summer march into Rome, and acquire all the realm, and himself be
+emperor where Luces ere dwelt. And many of the Rome folk would that it
+so should be, for they were adread to their bare death, so that many
+away there fled, and their castles abandoned; and many sent messengers
+to Arthur the strong; and many spake with him, and yearned Arthur's
+peace; and some they would against Arthur hold, and hold Rome against
+him, and defend the realm. And nevertheless they were afraid for their
+destruction, so that they knew not under Christ any good counsel. Then
+was it there come to pass, what Merlin said erewhile, that Rome-walls
+should fall down before Arthur; that was fulfilled there by the
+emperor, who fell there in the fight, with fifty thousand men; there
+sank to the ground the rich Rome-people! Then Arthur weened in sooth
+to win all Rome, and dwelt in Burgundy, noblest of all kings.
+
+Then came there on a time a brave man riding, and brought tiding to
+Arthur the king, from Modred, his sister's son; to Arthur he was
+welcome, for he weened that he brought news most good. Arthur lay all
+the night long, and spake with the young knight; so never would he say
+to him sooth how it fared. When it was day on the morrow, and people
+gan to stir, Arthur then up arose, and stretched his arms; he arose
+up, and sate down, as if he were exceeding sick. Then asked him a fair
+knight--"Lord, how hast thou fared to-night?" Arthur then answered--in
+mind he was uneasy: "To-night in my sleep, where I lay in chamber, I
+dreamt a dream--therefore I am full sorry. I dreamt that men raised me
+upon a hall; the hall I gan bestride, as if I would ride; all the
+lands that I possessed, all I there overlooked. And Walwain sate
+before me; my sword he bare in hand. Then approached Modred there,
+with innumerable folk; he bare in his hand a battle-axe strong; he
+began to hew exceeding hardily; and the posts all hewed in pieces,
+that held up the hall. There I saw Wenhaver eke, dearest of women to
+me; all the mickle hall roof with her hand she drew down; the hall gan
+to tumble, and I tumbled to the ground, so that my right arm brake in
+pieces,--then said Modred, 'Have that!' Down fell the hall; and
+Walwain gan to fall, and fell on the earth; his arms both brake. And I
+grasped my dear sword with my left hand, and smote off Modred his
+head, so that it rolled on the field. And the queen I cut all in
+pieces with my dear sword, and afterwards I set her down in a black
+pit. And all my good people set to flight, so that I knew not under
+Christ, where they were gone. But myself I gan stand upon a weald, and
+I there gan to wander wide over the moors, there I saw gripes, and
+grisly fowls! Then approached a golden lion over the down;—-a beast
+most fair, that our Lord made;—-the lion ran towards me, and took me
+by the middle, and forth gan her move, and to the sea went. And I saw
+the waves drive in the sea; and the lion in the flood went with
+myself. When we came in the sea, the waves took her from me; but there
+approached a fish, and brought me to land;—-then was I all wet, and
+weary from sorrow, and sick. When I gan to wake, greatly gan I to
+quake; then gan I to tremble as if I all burnt with fire. And so I
+have all night of my dream much thought; for I wot with certainty,
+gone is all my bliss, for ever in my life sorrow I must endure! Alas!
+that I have not here Wenhaver, my queen!"
+
+Then answered the knight: "Lord, thou hast wrong; men should never a
+dream with sorrow interpret. Thou art the mightiest man, that reigneth
+in land, and the wisest of all that dwelleth under heaven. If it were
+befallen—-as will it not our Lord!—-that Modred, thy sister's son, had
+taken thy queen, and set all thy royal land in his own hand, that thou
+to him committedest, when thou thoughtest to go to Rome; and had he
+done all this with his treachery, the yet thou mightest thee avenge
+with weapon worthily, and eft thy land hold, and govern thy people,
+and thine enemies fell, who did evil to thee, and slay them all clean,
+that there remain not one."
+
+Arthur then answered, noblest of all kings: "So long as is ever,
+weened I that never, that ever Modred, my relative, who is man dearest
+to me, would betray me, for all my realm, nor Wenhaver, my queen,
+weaken in thought; would it not begin, for any worldly man!"
+
+Even with the words forth-right then answered the knight: "I say thee
+sooth, dear king, for I am thy underling. Thus hath Modred done; thy
+queen he hath taken, and thy fair land set in his own hand. He is
+king, and she is queen; of thy coming is there no expectation, for
+they ween not ever in sooth, that thou shalt come back from Rome. I am
+thine own man, and saw this treason; and I am come to thyself, to say
+thee sooth. My head be in pledge, that I have said thee sooth, without
+leasing, of thy loved queen, and of Modred, thy sister's son, how he
+hath taken Britain from thee."
+
+Then sate it all still in Arthur's hall; then was there sorrow with
+the good king; then were the British men therefore exceedingly
+dispirited. Then after a while voices there stirred; wide men might
+hear the Britons' clamour, and gan to tell in speeches of many kind,
+how they would destroy Modred and the queen, and slay all the people
+that held with Modred.
+
+Arthur then called, fairest of all Britons: "Sit ye down still,
+knights in hall, and I will you tell strange discourse. Now to-morrow,
+when it is day, and the Lord it sendeth, forth I will march in toward
+Britain; and Modred I will slay, and burn the queen; and all I will
+destroy, that approved the treachery. And here I will leave the
+dearest of men to me, Howel, my loved relative, noblest of my kin; and
+half my army I will leave in this land, to maintain all this kingdom,
+that I have in my hand. And when these things are all done, back I
+will come to Rome, and deliver my fair land to Walwain my relation;
+and afterwards perform my threat, by my bare life; all my enemies
+shall be destroyed!"
+
+Then stood him up Walwain, who was Arthur's relative, and said these
+words,--the earl was incensed: "Almighty God! ruler of dooms, guardian
+of all middle-earth! Why is it befallen, that my brother Modred this
+sin has wrought? But to-day I forsake him here, before this assembly;
+and I will him destroy with the Lord's will; myself I will him hang,
+highest of all wretches; the queen I will, with God's law, draw all in
+pieces with horses. For may I never be blithe, the while I am alive,
+until I have avenged mine uncle with the best!"
+
+Then answered the Britons with bold voice: "All our weapons are ready;
+now to-morrow we shall march!" On the morrow when it was day, and the
+Lord it sent, Arthur forth him moved, with his good folk; half he it
+left, and half it forth led. Forth he marched through the land until
+he came to Whitsand; ships he had soon, many and excellent; but full a
+fortnight there lay the host, abiding the weather, deprived of wind
+(becalmed).
+
+Now was there some wicked knight in Arthur's army, anon as he heard it
+determined of Modred's death, he took his swain quickly, and sent to
+this land; and sent word to Wenhaver, how it had happened, and how
+Arthur was on his march, with a great host, and how he would take on,
+and all how he would do. The queen came to Modred, who was to her
+dearest of men, and told him tiding of Arthur the king, how he would
+take on, and all how he would do.
+
+Modred took his messengers, and sent to Saxland, after Childrich, who
+was king most powerful, and bade him come to Britain--thereof he
+should have possession. Modred bade Childrich, the strong and the
+rich, to send messengers wide, on the four sides of Saxland, and bid
+all the knights that they might get, that they should come soon to
+this kingdom; and he would to Childrich give part of his realm, all
+beyond the Humber; because he should him help to fight against his
+uncle King Arthur. Childrich proceeded soon into Britain. When Modred
+had assembled his host of men, then were there told sixty thousand
+hardy warriors of heathen folk, when they were come hither, for
+Arthur's harm, and to help Modred, wickedest of men! When the army was
+gathered of each people, then were they there in a heap an hundred
+thousand, heathens and christians, with Modred the king.
+
+Arthur lay at Whitsand; a fortnight seemed to him too long; and Modred
+knew all what Arthur there would; each day came messengers to him from
+the king's army. Then befell it on a time, much rain it gan to rain,
+and the wind it gan to turn, and stood from the east end. And Arthur
+proceeded to ship with all his host, and ordered that his shipmen
+should bring him to Romney, where he thought to come up into this
+land. When he came to the haven, Modred was opposite to him, as the
+day gan light, they began to fight, all the day long; many a man dead
+there lay! Some they fought on land, some by the strand; some they let
+fly sharp spears out of the ships. Walwain went before, and cleared
+the way; and slew there soon eleven thanes; he slew Childrich's son,
+who was come there with his father. To rest went the sun; woe was then
+to the men! There was Walwain slain, and deprived of life-day, through
+a Saxish earl--sorry be his soul! Then was Arthur sorry, and sorrowful
+therefore in heart; and these words said, mightiest of all Britons:
+"Now I have lost my loved swains! I knew by my dream, what sorrow were
+given to me! Slain is Angel the king, who was mine own darling, and
+Walwain, my sister's son--woe is me that I was born man! Up now from
+ship, quickly, my brave knights!"
+
+Even with the words sixty thousand good warriors pressed anon to the
+fight, and brake Modred's ranks, and well nigh himself was taken.
+Modred began to flee, and his folk to follow after; they fled
+exceedingly, the fields eke trembled; the stones jar with the
+blood-streams! There would have been all the fight ended, but the
+night came too soon; if the night had not been, they all would have
+been slain!
+
+The night separated them over slades and over downs; and Modred came
+so far forth, that he was at London. The burghmen heard how it had all
+fared, and denied him entry, and all his folk. Modred thence went
+toward Winchester; and they him received, with all his men. And Arthur
+pursued after, with all his might, until he came to Winchester, with a
+mickle host, and the burgh all besieged; and Modred therein abode.
+When Modred saw that Arthur was so nigh to him, oft he bethought him
+what he might do. Then on the same night, he ordered all his knights,
+with all their weapons, to march out of the burgh; and said that he
+would with fight there make a stand. He promised the burghmen free law
+evermore, on condition that they should help him at his great need.
+
+When it was daylight, then ready was their fight. Arthur that
+perceived--the king was enraged; he caused trumpets to be blown, and
+men to be assembled to battle; he commanded all his thanes, and his
+noble knights, together to take the fight, and fell his enemies, and
+the burgh all to destroy, and hang the burgh-folk. They stept
+together, and sternly fought. Modred then thought what he might do;
+and he did there as he did elsewhere, treachery with the most! For
+ever he did wickedly; he betrayed his comrades before Winchester, and
+caused his dearest knights to be called to him anon, and his dearest
+friends all, of all his folk; and stole away from the fight--the fiend
+him have!--and let the good folk all there perish. They fought all
+day; they weened that their lord there lay, and were near them at
+their great need. Then bent he the way that toward Hampton lay; and
+bent toward the haven--wickedest of men--and took all the ships that
+there good were, and all the steersmen, to the need of the ships; and
+proceeded into Cornwall—-wickedest of kings in those days! And Arthur
+besieged well firmly Winchester the burgh; and slew all the
+people—-there was sorrow enow--the young and the old, all he killed.
+When the folk was all dead, and the burgh all burnt, then caused he
+withal all the walls to be broken in pieces. Then was it there come to
+pass, that Merlin whilom said:
+
+"Wretched shalt thou be, Winchester! the earth shall thee swallow!" So
+Merlin said, who was a great prophet.
+
+The queen lay in York; never was she so sorrowful; that was Wenhaver
+the queen, most miserable of women! She heard say sooth words, how
+often Modred fled, and how Arthur him pursued; woe was to her the
+while, that she was alive! Out of York she went by night, and toward
+Kaerleon drew, as quickly as she might; thither she brought by night
+two of her knights; and men covered her head with a holy veil, and she
+was there a nun; woman most wretched! Then men knew not of the queen,
+where she were gone, nor many years afterwards man knew it in sooth,
+whether she were dead, or whether she herself were sunk in the water.
+
+Modred was in Cornwall, and gathered many knights; to Ireland he sent
+his messengers quickly; to Saxland he sent his messengers quickly; to
+Scotland he sent his messengers quickly; he ordered them all to come
+anon, that would have land, or silver, or gold, or possessions, or
+land; in each wise he warned himself each man;--so doth each prudent
+man upon whom cometh need.
+
+Arthur that heard, wrathest of kings, that Modred was in Cornwall with
+a mickle army, and there would abide until Arthur approached. Arthur
+sent messengers over all his kingdom, and bade all to come that was
+alive in land, that to fight were good, weapons to bear; and whoso it
+neglected, that the king commanded, the king would him all consume
+alive in the land. Innumerable folk it came toward the host, riding
+and on foot, as the rain down falleth!
+
+Arthur marched to Cornwall, with an immense army. Modred heard that,
+and advanced against him with innumerable folk--there were many fated!
+Upon the Tambre they came together; the place hight Camelford,
+evermore lasted the same word. And at Camelford was assembled sixty
+thousand men, and more thousands thereto; Modred was their chief. Then
+thitherward gan ride Arthur the mighty, with innumerable folk--fated
+though it were! Upon the Tambre they encountered together; elevated
+their standards; advanced together; drew their long swords, and smote
+on the helms; fire out sprang; spears splintered; shields gan shiver;
+shafts brake in pieces! There fought all together innumerable folk!
+Tambre was in flood with blood to excess; there might no man in the
+fight know any warrior, nor who did worse, nor who did better, so was
+the conflict mingled! For each slew downright, were he swain, were he
+knight. There was Modred slain, and deprived of life-day, and all his
+knights slain in the fight. There were slain all the brave, Arthur's
+warriors, high and low, and all the Britons of Arthur's board, and all
+his dependants, of many kingdoms. And Arthur himself wounded with a
+broad slaughter-spear; fifteen dreadful wounds he had; in the least
+one might thrust two gloves! Then was there no more remained in the
+fight, of two hundred thousand men that there lay hewed in pieces,
+except Arthur the king alone, and two of his knights.
+
+Arthur was wounded wondrously much. There came to him a lad, who was
+of his kindred; he was Cador's son, the Earl of Cornwall; Constantine
+the lad hight, he was dear to the king. Arthur looked on him, where he
+lay on the ground, and said these words, with sorrowful heart:
+"Constantine, thou art welcome; thou wert Cador's son. I give thee
+here my kingdom, and defend thou my Britons ever in thy life, and
+maintain them all the laws that have stood in my days, and all the
+good laws that in Uther's days stood. And I will fare to Avalun, to
+the fairest of all maidens, to Argante the queen, an elf most fair,
+and she shall make my wounds all sound; make me all whole with healing
+draughts. And afterwards I will come again to my kingdom, and dwell
+with the Britons with mickle joy."
+
+Even with the words there approached from the sea that was a short
+boat, floating with the waves; and two women therein, wondrously
+formed; and they took Arthur anon, and bare him quickly, and laid him
+softly down, and forth they gan depart.
+
+Then was it accomplished that Merlin whilom said, that mickle care
+should be of Arthur's departure. The Britons believe yet that he is
+alive, and dwelleth in Avalun with the fairest of all elves; and the
+Britons ever yet expect when Arthur shall return. Was never the man
+born, of ever any lady chosen, that knoweth of the sooth, to say more
+of Arthur. But whilom was a sage hight Merlin; he said with words--his
+sayings were sooth--that an Arthur should yet come to help the
+English.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14305 ***
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #14305 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14305)
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Brut, by Layamon, Translated by Eugene Mason
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Brut
+
+Author: Layamon
+
+Release Date: December 8, 2004  [eBook #14305]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRUT***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Keith M. Eckrich, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distriubted Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+LAYAMON'S BRUT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+At Totnes Constantin the fair and all his host came ashore; thither
+came the bold man--well was he brave!--and with him two thousand
+knights such as no king possessed. Forth they gan march into London,
+and sent after knights over all the kingdom, and every brave man, that
+speedily he should come anon.
+
+The Britons heard that, where they dwelt in the pits; in earth and in
+stocks they hid them like badgers, in wood and in wilderness, in heath
+and in fen, so that well nigh no man might find any Briton, except
+they were in castle, or in burgh inclosed fast. When they heard of
+this word, that Constantin was in the land, then came out of the
+mountains many thousand men; they leapt out of the wood as if it were
+deer. Many hundred thousand marched toward London, by street and by
+weald all it forth pressed; and the brave women put on them men's
+clothes, and they forth journeyed toward the army.
+
+When the Earl Constantin saw all this folk come to him, then he was so
+blithe as he was never before in life. Forth they took their way two
+nights and a day, so that they came full truly to Melga and Wanis.
+Together they rushed with stern strength, fought fiercely--the fated
+fell! Ere the day were gone, slain was Wanis and Melgan, and Peohtes
+enow, and Scots without number, Danes and Norwegians, Galloways and
+Irish. The while that the day was light lasted ever this slaughter.
+
+When it came to the eventime, then called the Earl Constantin, and
+bade that guides should ride to the waters, and active men toward the
+sea, for to guard them. A man should have seen the game, how the women
+forth marched over woods and over fields, over hills and over dales.
+Wheresoever they found any man escaped, that was with Melga the
+heathen king, the women loud laughed, and tore him all in pieces, and
+prayed for the soul, that never should good be to it. Thus the British
+women killed many thousands, and thus they freed this kingdom of Wanis
+and of Melga.
+
+And Constantin the brave marched to Silchester, and held there his
+husting of all his British thanes, all the Britons came to the
+meeting, and took Constantin the noble, and made him king of Britain--
+much was then the mirth that was among men. And afterwards they gave
+him a wife, one wondrous fair, born of the highest, of Britain the
+best of all. By this noble wife Constantin had in this land three
+little sons. The first son had well nigh his father's name; Constantin
+hight the king, Constance hight the child. When this child was waxed,
+that it could ride, then his father caused him to be made a monk,
+through counsel of wicked men, and the child was a monk in Winchester.
+After him was born another, who was the middle brother, he was named
+Aurelius, his surname hight Ambrosius. Then was last of all born a
+child that was well disposed, he was named Uther, his virtues were
+strong; he was the youngest brother, but he lived longer than the
+others.
+
+Guencelm the archbishop, who toward God was full good, took charge of
+the two children, for love of the king. But alas! that their father
+might live no longer!--for he had good laws the while that he lived;
+but he was king here but twelve years, and then was the king
+dead—-hearken now through what chance. He had in his house a Peoht,
+fair knight and most brave; he fared with the king, and with all his
+thanes by no other wise but as it were his brother. Then became he so
+potent, to all his companions unlike; then thought he to betray
+Constantin the powerful. He came before the king, and fell on his
+knees, and thus lied the traitor before his lord: "Lord king, come
+forthright, and speak with Cadal thy knight, and I will thee tell of
+strange speeches, such as thou never ere on earth heardest."
+
+Then arose the king Constantin, and went forth out with him. But alas!
+that Constantin's knights knew it not! They proceeded so long forward
+that they came in an orchard. Then said the traitor there: "Lord, be
+we here." The traitor sat down, as if he would hold secret discourse,
+and he approached to the king, as a man doth in whispering. He grasped
+a knife very long, and the king therewith he pierced into the heart;
+and he himself escaped--there the king dead lay, and the traitor fled
+away.
+
+The tidings came to court, how the king had fared; then was mickle
+sorrow spread to the folk. Then were the Britons busy in thought, they
+knew not through anything what they might have for king, for the
+king's two sons, little they were both. Ambrosie could scarcely ride
+on horse, and Uther, his brother, yet still sucked his mother; and
+Constance the eldest was monk in Winchester; monk's clothes he had on,
+as one of his companions. Then came to London all this landfolk, to
+their husting, and to advise them of a king, what wise they might do,
+and how they might take on, and which one of these children they might
+have for king. Then chose this people Aurelie Ambrosie, to have for
+king over them.
+
+That heard Vortiger, a crafty man and most wary; among the earls he
+stood, and firmly withstood it, and he thus said--sooth though it were
+not: "I will advise you counsel with the best; abide a fortnight, and
+come we eft right here, and I will say to you sooth words, so that
+with your eyes ye shall see, and your while well bestow; this same
+time we shall abide, and to our land the while ride, and hold amity
+and hold peace, freely in land."
+
+All the folk did as Vortiger deemed; and he himself went as if he
+would go to his land, and turned right the way that into Winchester
+lay. Vortiger had Welshland the half-part in his hand; forty knights
+good he had in his retinue. He proceeded to Winchester, where he found
+Constance, and spake with the abbot who governed the monastery where
+Constance was monk, the king's son of Britain. He went into the
+monastery with mild speech; he said that he would speak with
+Constance. The abbot granted it to him, and he led him to the
+speech-house. Thus spake Vortiger with the monk then there:
+"Constance, hearken my counsel, for now is thy father dead. There is
+Ambrosie thy brother, and Uther the other. Now have the elders, the
+noblest in land, chosen Aurelie--his surname is Ambrosie--if they may
+through all things they will make him king; and Uther, thy brother,
+yet sucketh his mother. But I have opposed them, and think to withsay,
+for I have been steward of all Britain's land, and earl I am potent,
+unlike to my companions, and I have Welshland half part in my hand;
+more I have alone than the others all clean. I am come to thee, for
+dearest of men thou art to me; if thou wilt swear to me oaths, I will
+take off thee these clothes, if thou wilt increase my land, and thy
+counsel place in my hand, and make me thy steward over all Britain's
+land, and through my counsel do all thy deeds, and if thou wilt pledge
+me in hand, that I shall rule it all, I will through all things make
+thee Britain's king." This monk sate well still, the speech went to
+him at his will. Then answered the monk with much delight: "Well worth
+thee, Vortiger, that thou art come here; if evermore cometh the day
+that I may be king, all my counsel and all my land I will place in
+thine hand, and all that thou wilt do, my men shall accept it. And
+oaths I will swear to thee, that I will not deceive thee." Thus said
+the monk; he mourned greatly how else it were, that he were monk; for
+to him were black clothes wondrously odious. Vortiger was crafty and
+wary--that he made known everywhere--he took a cape of a knight of
+his, and on the monk he put it, and led him out of the place; he took
+a swain anon, and the black clothes put on him, and held secret
+discourse with the swain, as if it were the monk.
+
+Monks passed upward, monks passed downward; they saw by the way the
+swain with monk's clothes; the hood hanged down as if he hid his
+crown; they all weened that it were their brother, who there sate so
+sorry in the speech-house, in the daylight, among all the knights.
+They came to their abbot, and greeted him in God's name: "Lord,
+benedicite, we are come before thee, for strange it seemeth to us what
+Vortiger thinketh in our speech-house, where he holdeth discourse,
+throughout this day no monk may come therein, except Constance alone,
+and the knights all clean. Sore we dread, that they him miscounsel."
+Then answered the abbot; "Nay, but they counsel him good; they bid him
+hold his hood (holy order), for now is his father dead." Vortiger
+there abode the while Constance away rode. Vortiger up arose, from the
+monastery departed, and all his knight out went forth-right.
+
+The monks there ran thither anon, they weened to find Constance; when
+they saw the clothes lie by the walls, then each to other lamented
+their brother. The abbot leapt on horse, and after Vortiger rode, and
+soon gan overtake the Earl Vortiger. Thus said the abbot to Vortiger
+where he rode: "Say me, thou mad knight, why dost thou so great wrong?
+Thou takest from us our brother,--leave him, and take the other. Take
+Ambrosie the child, and make of him a king, and anger thou not Saint
+Benedict, nor do thou to him any wrong!"
+
+Vortiger heard this--he was crafty and very wary;--soon he came back,
+and the abbot he took, and swore by his hand, that he would him hang,
+unless he him pledged, that he would forthright unhood Constance the
+king's son of this land, and for such need he should be king of this
+country. The abbot durst no other, there he unhooded his brother, and
+the child gave the abbot in hand twenty ploughlands, and afterwards
+they proceeded forth into London. Vortiger the high forbade his
+attendants, that they to no man should tell what they had in design.
+Vortiger lay in London, until the same set day came, that the knights
+of this land should come to husting.
+
+At the day they came, many and numerous; they counselled, they
+communed, the stern warriors, that they would have Ambrosie, and raise
+for king; for Uther was too little--the yet he might suck--and
+Constance was monk, who was eldest of them, and they would not for
+anything make a monk king. Vortiger heard this, who was crafty and
+most wary, and leapt on foot as if it were a lion. None of the Britons
+there knew what Vortiger had done. He had in a chamber Constance the
+dear, well bathed and clothed, and afterwards hid with twelve knights.
+Then thus spake Vortiger--he was of craft wary: "Listen, lordings, the
+while that I speak of kings. I was in Winchester, where I well sped, I
+spake with the abbot, who is a holy man and good, and said him the
+need that is come to this nation by Constantin's death--therefore he
+is uneasy--and of Constance the child, that he had holden. And I bade
+him for love of God, to take off the child's hood, and for such need
+he should be king in the country. And the abbot took his counsel, and
+did all that I bade him; and here I have his monks, who are good and
+chief, who shall witness bear before you all. Lo! where here is the
+same child, make we hereof a king, and here I hold the crown that
+thereto behoveth, and whoso will this withsay, he shall it buy dear!"
+
+Vortiger was most strong, the highest man of Britain, was there never
+any so bold that his words durst deprecate. In the same town was the
+archbishop dead, and there was no bishop that forth on his way did not
+pass, nor monk nor any abbot, that he on his way did not ride, for
+they durst not for fear of God do there the wrong, to take the monk
+child, and make him Britain's king. Vortiger saw this--of all evil he
+was well ware, up he gan to stand, the crown he took in hand, and he
+set it upon Constance--that was to him in thought. Was there never any
+man that might there do Christendom, that might do blessing upon the
+king, but Vortiger alone did it clean for all! The beginning was
+unfair, and also was the end, he deserted God's hood (holy order),
+therefore he had sorrow! Thus was Constance king of this land, and
+Vortiger was his steward.
+
+Constance set all his kingdom in Vortiger's hand, and he did all in
+the land, as he himself would. Then saw Vortiger--of much evil he was
+ware--that Constance the king knew nothing of land (government?), for
+he had not learnt ever any learning, except what a monk should perform
+in his monastery. Vortiger saw that--the Worse was full nigh him!--oft
+he bethought him what he might do, how he might with leasing please
+the king. Now thou mayest hear, how this traitor gan him fare. The
+best men of Britain were all dead, now were the king's brothers both
+full little, and Guencehn the archbishop therebefore was dead, and
+this land's king himself of the law knew nothing. Vortiger saw this,
+and he came to the king, with mild speech his lord he gan greet: "Hail
+be thou, Constance, Britain's lord! I am come thus nigh thee for much
+need, for to say to thee tidings that are come to land, of very great
+danger. Now thee behoveth might, now weapons behove thee to defend thy
+country. Here are chapmen arrived from other lands, as it is the
+custom; they have brought to me toll for their goods, and they have
+told me and plighted troth, that the King of Norway will newly fare
+hither, and the Danish king these Danes will seek, and the King of
+Russia, sternest of all knights, and the King of Gothland with host
+most strong, and the King of Frise--therefore it alarmeth me. The
+tidings are evil that are come to land; herefore I am most adread, for
+I know no good counsel, unless we may with might send after knights,
+that are good and strong, and that are well able in land, and fill thy
+castles with keen men, and so thou mightest defend thy kingdom against
+foreigners, and maintain thy worship with high strength. For there is
+no kingdom, so broad nor so long, that will not soon be taken if there
+are too few warriors."
+
+Then answered the king--of land he knew nothing--"Vortiger, thou art
+steward over all Britain's land, and thou shalt it rule after thy
+will. Send after knights that are good in fight; and take all in thine
+hand, my castles and my land, and do all thy will, and I will be
+still, except the single thing, that I will be called king."
+
+Then laughed Vortiger--he was of evil most ware--was he never so
+blithe ere in his life! Vortiger took leave, and forth he gan pass,
+and so he proceeded through all Britain's land, all the castles and
+all the land he set in his own hand, and the fealty he took ever where
+he came. And so he took his messengers, and sent to Scotland, and
+ordered the Peohtes, the knights best of all, three hundred to come to
+him, and he would well do to them. And the knights came to him
+thereafter well soon; thus spake the traitorous man: "Knights, ye are
+welcome. I have in my hand all this regal land, with me ye shall go,
+and I will you love, and I will you bring before our king; ye shall
+have silver and gold, the best horses of this land, clothes, and fair
+wives; your will I will perform Ye shall be to me dear, for the
+Britons are hateful to me, loud and still I will do your will, if ye
+will in land hold me for lord." Then forth-right answered the knights
+"We will do all thy will," and they gan proceed to Constance the king.
+To the king came Vortiger--of evil he was well ware--and said him of--
+had done--"And here I have the Peohtes, who shall be household
+knights; and I have most well stored all thy castles, and these
+foreign knights shall before us fight." The king commended all as
+Vortiger purposed, but alas! that the king knew nothing of his
+thoughts, nor of his treachery, that he did soon thereafter! These
+knights were in court highly honoured, full two years with the king
+they dwelt there, and Vortiger the steward was lord of them all. Ever
+he said that the Britons were not of use, but he said that the Peohtes
+were good knights. Ever were the Britons deprived of goods, and the
+Peohtes wielded all that they would. They had drink, they had meat,
+they had eke much bliss. Vortiger granted them all that they would,
+and was to them as dear as their own life; so that they all spake,
+where they ate their meat, that Vortiger were worthy to govern this
+realm throughout all things, better than three such kings! Vortiger
+gave these men very much treasure.
+
+Then befell it on a day, that Vortiger lay at his inn; he took his two
+knights and sent after the Peohtes, bade them come here, for they all
+should eat there. Forth-right the knights came to him, to his inn, he
+tried them with words as they sate at the board, he caused draughts to
+be brought them of many kinds of drinks, they drank, they revelled,
+the day there forth passed. When they were so drunk that their shanks
+weakened, then spake Vortiger what he had previously thought: "Hearken
+now to me, knights, I will say to you forth-right of my mickle sorrow
+that I for you have mourned. The king delivered me this land for to be
+his steward. Ye are to me liefest of all men alive, but I have not
+wealth to give my knights, for this king possesses all this land, and
+he is young and also strong, and all I must yield to him that I take
+of his land, and if I destroy his goods, I shall suffer the law, and
+mine own wealth I have spent, because I would please you. And now I
+must depart hence far to some king, serve him with peace, and gain
+wealth with him; I may not for much shame have here this abode, but
+forth I must go to foreign lands And if the day shall ever come that I
+may acquire wealth, and I may so well thrive, that ye come in the land
+where I am, I will well reward you with much worship. And have now all
+good day, for to-night I will go away, it is a great doubt whether ye
+see me evermore"--These knights knew not what the traitor thought
+Vortiger was treacherous, for here he betrayed his lord, and the
+knights held it for sooth, what the traitor said Vortiger ordered his
+swains to saddle his steeds, and named twelve men to lead with
+himself, to horse they went as if they would depart from the land.
+
+The Peohtes saw that--the drunken knights--how Vortiger would depart,
+herefore they had much care, they went to counsel, they went to
+communing, all they lamented their life exceedingly, because Vortiger
+was so dear to them And thus said the Peohtes, the drunken knights:
+"What may we now in counsel? who shall us now advise? who shall us
+feed, who shall us clothe, who shall be our lord at court? Now
+Vortiger is gone, we all must depart,--we will not for anything have a
+monk for king! But we will do well, forth-right go we to him, secretly
+and still, and do all our will, into his chamber, and drink of his
+beer When we have drunk, loudly revel we, and some shall go to the
+door, and with swords stand therebefore, and some forth-right take the
+king and his knights, and smite off the heads of them, and we
+ourselves have the court, and cause soon our lord Vortiger to be
+overtaken, and afterwards through all things raise him to be
+king;—-then may we live as to us is befest of all."
+
+The knights proceeded to the king forth-right; they all went
+throughout the hall into the king's chamber, where he sate by the fire
+There was none that spake a word except Gille Callæt; thus he spake
+with the king whom he there thought to betray: "Listen to me now,
+monarch, I will nothing lie to thee We have been in court highly
+honoured through thy steward, who hath governed all this land, he hath
+us well fed, he hath us well clothed And in sooth I may say to thee,
+with him we ate now to day, but sore it us grieveth, we had nought to
+drink, and now we are in thy chamber give us drink of thy beer" Then
+gave the king answer "That shall be your least care, for ye shall have
+to drink the while that you think good" Men brought them drink, and
+they gan to revel, thus said Gille Callæt--at the door he was full
+active "Where be ye, knights? Bestir you forth right!" And they seized
+the king, and smote off his head, and all his knights they slew
+forth-right And took a messenger, and sent toward London, that he
+should ride quickly after Vortiger, that he should come speedily, and
+take the kingdom, for that he should know through all things, slain
+was Constance the king. Vortiger heard that, who was traitor full
+secret; thus he ordered the messenger back forth-right anon, and bade
+them "well to keep all our worship that never one depart out of the
+place, but all abide me, until that I arrive, and so I will divide
+this land among us all."
+
+Forth went the messenger, and Vortiger took anon and sent over London,
+and ordered them quickly and full soon, that they all should come to
+husting. When the burgh-men were come, who were most bold, then spake
+Vortiger, who was traitor full secret,--much he gan to weep, and
+sorrowfully to sigh, but it was in his head, and not in his heart.
+Then asked him the burgh-men, who were most bold. "Lord Vortiger, what
+is that thou mournest? Thou art no woman so sore to weep." Then
+answered Vortiger, who was traitor full secret: "I will tell you
+piteous speeches, of much calamity that is come to the land. I have
+been in this realm your king's steward, and spoken with him, and loved
+him as my life. But he would not at the end any counsel approve, he
+loved the Peohtes, the foreign knights, and he would not do good to
+us, nor anywhere fair receive, but to them he was gracious, ever in
+their lives I might not of the king have remuneration (or wages), I
+spent my wealth, the while that it lasted, and afterwards I took leave
+to go to my land, and when I had my tribute, come again to court. When
+the Peohtes saw that the king had no knights, nor ever any kind of man
+that would aught for them do, they took their course into the king's
+chamber I say you through all things, they have slain the king, and
+think to destroy this kingdom and us all, and will forth-right make
+them king of a Peoht. But I was his steward, avenge I will my lord,
+and every brave man help me to do that. On I will with my gear, and
+forth-right I will go."
+
+Thirty hundred knights marched out of London; they rode and they ran,
+forth with Vortiger, until they approached where the Peohtes dwelt.
+And he took one of his knights, and sent to the Peohtes, and said to
+them that he came, if they would him receive. The Peohtes were blithe
+for their murder (that they had committed), and they took their good
+gear—-there was neither shield nor spear Vortiger weaponed all his
+knights forth right, and the Peohtes there came, and brought the head
+of the king. When Vortiger saw this head, then fell he full nigh to
+the ground, as if he had grief most of all men, with his countenance
+he gan he, but his heart was full blithe. Then said Vortiger, who was
+traitor full secret: "Every brave man lay on them with sword, and
+avenge well in the land the sorrow of our lord!" None they captured,
+but all they them slew; and proceeded to the inn, into Winchester, and
+slew their swains, and their chamber-servants, their cooks, and their
+boys, all they deprived of life-day. Thus faired the tidings of
+Constance the king.
+
+And the worldly-wise men took charge of the other children; for they
+had care of Vortiger they took Ambrosie and Uther, and led them over
+sea, into the Less Britain, and delivered them fairly to Biduz the
+king. And he them fairly received, for he was their kin and their
+friend, and with much joy the children he brought up; and so well many
+years with him they were there.
+
+Vortiger in this land was raised to be king; all the strong burghs
+stood in his hand; five-and-twenty years he was king here. He was mad,
+he was wild, he was cruel, he was bold; of all things he had his will,
+except the Peohtes were never still, but ever they advanced over the
+north end, and afflicted this kingdom with prodigious harm, and
+avenged their kin enow, whom Vortiger slew here.
+
+In the meantime came tidings into this land, that Aurelie was knight,
+who was named Ambrosie, and also was Uther, good knight and most wary,
+and would come to this land, and lead an army most strong. This was
+many times a saying oft repeated; oft came these tidings to Vortiger
+the king; therefore it oft shamed him, and his heart angered, for men
+said it everywhere:--"Now will come Ambrosie and Uther, and will
+avenge soon Constance, the king of this land; there is no other
+course, avenge they will their brother, and slay Vortiger, and burn
+him to dust; thus they will set all this land in their own hand!" So
+spake each day all that passed by the way.
+
+Vortiger bethought him what he might do, and thought to send
+messengers into other lands, after foreign knights, who might him
+defend; and thought to be wary against Ambrosie and Uther.
+
+In the meantime came tidings to Vortiger the king, that over sea were
+come men exceeding strange; in the Thames to land they were come;
+three ships good came with the flood, therein three hundred knights,
+kings as it were, without (besides) the shipmen who were there within.
+These were the fairest men that ever here came, but they were
+heathens--that was the more harm! Vortiger sent to them, and asked how
+they were disposed (their business); if they sought peace, and recked
+of his friendship? They answered wisely, as well they knew, and said
+that they would speak with the king, and lovingly him serve, and hold
+him for lord; and so they gan wend forth to the king. Then was
+Vortiger the king in Canterbury, where he with his court nobly
+diverted themselves; there these knights came before the sovereign. As
+soon as they met him, they greeted him fair, and said that they would
+serve him in this land, if he would them with right retain. Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware--"In all my life that I
+have lived, by day nor by night saw I never ere such knights; for your
+arrival I am blithe, and with me ye shall remain, and your will I will
+perform, by my quick life! But first I would of you learn, through
+your sooth worship, what knights ye be, and whence ye are come, and
+whether ye will be true, old and eke new?"
+
+Then answered the one who was the eldest brother: "Listen to me now,
+lord king, and I will make known to you what knights we are, and
+whence we are come. I hight Hengest; Hors is my brother; we are of
+Alemaine, a land noblest of all, of the same end that Angles is named.
+In our land are strange tidings; after fifteen years the folk is
+assembled, all our nation-folk, and cast their lots; upon whom that it
+falleth, he shall depart from the land. The five shall remain, the
+sixth shall forth proceed out of the country to a foreign land; be he
+man ever so loved, he shall forth depart. For there is folk very much,
+more than they would desire; the women go there with child as the wild
+deer, every year they bear child there! That is fallen on us, that we
+should depart; we might not remain, for life nor for death, nor for
+ever anything, for fear of the sovereign. Thus we fared there, and
+therefore are we now here, to seek under heaven land and good lord.
+Now thou hast heard, lord king, sooth of us through all things." Then
+answered Vortiger—-of each evil he was ware—-"I believe thee, knight,
+that thou sayest to me right sooth. And what are your creeds, that ye
+in believe, and your dear god, whom ye worship?" Then answered
+Hengest, fairest of all knights—-in all this kingdom is not a knight
+so tall nor so strong:—-"We have good gods, whom we love in our mind,
+whom we have hope in, and serve them with might. The one hight Phebus;
+the second Saturnus; the third hight Woden, who is a mighty god; the
+fourth hight Jupiter, of all things he is aware; the fifth hight
+Mercurius, who is the highest over us; the sixth hight Appolin, who is
+a god brave; the seventh hight Tervagant, a high god in our land. Yet
+(in addition) we have a lady, who is high and mighty, high she is and
+holy, therefore courtiers love her--she is named Frea--well she them
+treateth. But among all our dear gods whom we shall serve, Woden had
+the highest law in our elders' days; he was dear to them even as their
+life, he was their ruler, and did to them worship; the fourth day in
+the week they gave him for his honour. To the Thunder (Jupiter) they
+gave Thursday, because that it may help them; to Frea, their lady,
+they gave her Friday; to Saturnus they gave Saturday; to the Sun they
+gave Sunday; to the Moon they gave Monday; to Tidea they gave
+Tuesday." Thus said Hengest, fairest of all knights. Then answered
+Vortiger—-of each evil he was ware--"Knights, ye are dear to me, but
+these tidings are loathsome to me; your creeds are wicked, ye believe
+not on Christ, but ye believe on the Worse, whom God himself cursed;
+your gods are of nought, in hell they lie beneath. But nevertheless I
+will retain you in my power, for northward are the Peohtes, knights
+most brave, who oft into my land lead host most strong, and oft do me
+much shame, and therefore I have grief. And if ye will me avenge, and
+procure me their heads, I will give you land, much silver and gold."
+Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "If Saturnus so will
+it, and Woden, our lord, on whom we believe, it shall all thus be!"
+
+Hengest took leave, and gan wend to his ships; there was many a strong
+knight; they drew their ships upon the land. Forth went the warriors
+to Vortiger the king; Hengest went before, and Hors, next of all to
+him; then the Alemainish men, who were noble in deeds; and afterwards
+they sent to him (Vortiger) their brave Saxish knights, Hengest's
+kinsmen, of his old race. They came into hall, fairly all; better were
+clothed and better were fed Hengest's swains, than Vortiger's thanes!
+Then was Vortiger's court held in contempt! the Britons were sorry for
+such a sight.
+
+It was no whit long before five knights' sons who had travelled
+quickly came to the king; they said to the king new tidings: "Now
+forth-right the Peohtes are come; through thy land they run, and
+harry, and burn, and all the north end fell to the ground; hereof thou
+must advise thee, or we all shall be dead." The king bethought him
+what he might do, he sent to the inn, after all his men. There came
+Hengest, there came Hors, there came many a man full brave; there came
+the Saxish men, Hengest's kinsmen, and the Alemainish knights, who are
+good in fight. The King Vortiger saw this; blithe was he then there.
+
+The Peohtes did, as was their custom, on this side of the Humber they
+were come. And the King Vortiger of their coming was full aware;
+together they came (encountered), and many there slew; there was fight
+most strong, combat most stern! The Peohtes were oft accustomed to
+overcome Vortiger, and so they thought then to do, but it befell then
+in other wise, for it was safety to them (the Britons) that Hengest
+was there, and the strong knights who came from Saxland, and the brave
+Alemainish, who came thither with Hors, for very many Peohtes they
+slew in the fight; fiercely they fought, the fated fell! When the noon
+was come, then were the Peohtes overcome, and quickly away they fled,
+on each side they forth fled, and all day they fled, many and without
+number. The King Vortiger went back to lodging, and ever were nigh to
+him Hors and Hengest. Hengest was dear to the king, and to him he gave
+Lindesey, and he gave Hors treasures enow, and all their knights he
+treated exceeding well, and thus a good time it stood in the same
+wise. The Peohtes durst never come into the land, no robbers nor
+outlaws, that they were not soon slain; and Hengest exceeding fairly
+served the king.
+
+Then befell it on a time, that the king was very blithe, on a
+high-day, among his people. Hengest bethought him what he might do,
+for he would hold secret discourse with the king; he went before the
+king, and gan greet fair. The king up stood, and set him by himself;
+they drank, they revelled--bliss was among them. Then quoth Hengest to
+the king: "Lord, hearken tidings, and I will tell thee of secret
+discourse, if thou wilt well listen to my advice, and not hold in
+wrath what I well teach." And the king answered as Hengest would it.
+Then said Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Lord, I have many a day
+advanced thy honour, and been thy faithful man in thy rich court, and
+in each fight the highest of thy knights. And I have often heard
+anxious whisperings among thy courtiers; they hate thee exceedingly,
+unto the bare death, if they it durst show. Oft they speak stilly, and
+discourse with whispers, of two young men, that dwell far hence; the
+one hight Uther, the other Ambrosie--the third hight Constance who was
+king in this land, and he here was slain through traitorous usage. The
+others will now come, and avenge their brother, all consume thy land,
+and slay thy people, thyself and thy folk drive out of land. And thus
+say thy men, where they sit together, because the twain brothers are
+both royally born, of Androein's race, these noble Britons; and thus
+thy folk stilly condemn thee. But I will advise thee of thy great
+need, that thou procure knights that are good in fight; and give to me
+a castle, or a royal burgh, that I may be in, the while that I live.
+For I am for thee hated--therefore I ween to be dead, fare wherever I
+fare, I am never without care, unless I be fast inclosed in a castle.
+If thou wilt do this for me, I will it receive with love, and quickly
+I will send after my wife, who is a Saxish woman, of wisdom excellent,
+and after my daughter Rowenne, who is most dear to me. When I have my
+wife, and my kinsmen, and I am in thy land fully settled, the better I
+will serve thee, if thou grantest me this." Then answered Vortiger--of
+each evil he was ware--"Take quickly knights, and send after thy wife,
+and after thy children, the young and the old, and after thy kin, and
+receive them with joy; when they to thee come, thou shalt have riches
+to feed them nobly, and worthily to clothe them. But I will not give
+to thee any castle or burgh, for men would reproach me in my kingdom,
+for ye hold the heathen law that stood in your elders' days, and we
+hold Christ's law, and will ever in our days." The yet spake Hengest,
+fairest of all knights: "Lord, I will perform thy will, here and over
+all, and do all my deeds after thy counsel. Now will I speedily send
+after my wife, and after my daughter, who is to me very dear, and
+after brave men, the best of my kin. And thou give me so much land, to
+stand in mine own hand, as a bull's hide will each way overspread, far
+from each castle, amidst a field. Then nor the poor nor the rich may
+blame thee, that thou hast given any noble burgh to a heathen man."
+And the king granted him as Hengest yearned.
+
+Hengest took leave, and forth he gan pass, and after his wife he sent
+messengers, to his own land, and he himself went over this land, to
+seek a broad field whereon he might well spread his fair hide. He came
+to a spot, in a fair field, he had obtained a hide to his need, of a
+wild bull that was wondrously strong. He had a wise man, who well knew
+of craft, who took this hide, and laid it on a board, and whet his
+shears, as if he would shear. Of the hide he carved a thong, very
+small and very long, the thong was not very broad, but as it were a
+thread of twine; when the thong was all slit, it was wondrously long,
+about therewith he encompassed a great deal of land. He began to dig a
+ditch very mickle, there upon a stone wall, that was strong over all,
+a burgh he areared, mickle and lofty. When the burgh was all ready,
+then shaped he to it a name, he named it full truly Kaer-Carrai in
+British, and English knights they called it Thongchester. Now and
+evermore the name standeth there, and for no other adventure had the
+burgh the name, until that Danish men came, and drove out the Britons;
+the third name they set there, and Lanecastel (Lancaster) it named;
+and for such events the town had these three names.
+
+In the meantime arrived hither Hengest's wife with her ships; she had
+for companions fifteen hundred riders; with her came, to wit, mickle
+good ships; therein came much of Hengest's kin, and Rowenne, his
+daughter, who was to him most dear. It was after a while, that that
+time came, that the burgh was completed with the best of all. And
+Hengest came to the king, and asked him to a banquet, and said that he
+had prepared an inn against him (his coming) and bade that he should
+come thereto, and he should be fairly received. And the king granted
+him as Hengest it would.
+
+It came to the time that the king gan forth proceed, with the dearest
+men of all his folk; forth he gan proceed until he came to the burgh.
+He beheld the wall up and down over all; all it liked him well, that
+he on looked. He went into the hall, and all his knights with him;
+trumps they blew, games men gan to call, boards they ordered to be
+spread, knights sate thereat, they ate, they drank, joy was in the
+burgh!—-when the folk had eaten, then was the better befallen to them.
+
+Hengest went into the inn, where Rowenne dwelt; he caused her to be
+clad with excessive pride; all the clothes that she had on, they were
+most excellent, they were good with the best, embroidered with gold.
+She bare in her hand a golden bowl, filled with wine, that was one
+wondrous good. High-born men led her into the hall before the king,
+fairest of all things! Rouwenne sate on her knee, and called to the
+king, and thus first she said in English land: "Lord king, wassail!
+for thy coming I am glad." The king this heard, and knew not what she
+said, the King Vortiger asked his knights soon, what were the speech
+that the maid spake. Then answered Keredic, a knight most admirable;
+he was the best interpreter that ere came here: "Listen to me now, my
+lord king, and I will make known to thee what Rowenne saith, fairest
+of all women. It is the custom in Saxland, wheresoever any people make
+merry in drink, that friend sayeth to his friend, with fair comely
+looks, 'Dear friend, wassail!'--the other sayeth, 'Drinchail!' The
+same that holds the cup, he drinketh it up; another full cup men
+thither bring, and give to his comrade. When the full cup is come,
+then kiss they thrice. These are the good customs in Saxland, and in
+Alemaine they are accounted noble!"
+
+Vortiger heard this—-of each evil he was ware--and said it in British,
+for he knew no English: "Maiden Rouwenne, drink then blithely!" The
+maid drank up the wine, and let do (put) other wine therein, and gave
+to the king, and thrice him kissed. And through the same people the
+custom came to this land of Wassail and Drinchail—-many a man thereof
+is glad' Rouwenne the fair sate by the king; the king beheld her
+longingly, she was dear to him in heart, oft he kissed her, oft he
+embraced her; all his mind and his might inclined towards the maiden.
+
+The Worse was there full nigh, who in each game is full cruel; the
+Worse who never did good, he troubled the king's mood; he mourned full
+much, to have the maiden for wife. That was a most loathly thing, that
+the Christian king should love the heathen maid, to the harm of his
+people! The maiden was dear to the king, even as his own life; he
+prayed to Hengest, his chieftain, that he should give him the
+maid-child. Hengest found in his counsel to do what the king asked
+him; he gave him Rouwenne, the woman most fair. To the king it was
+pleasing; he made her queen, all after the laws that stood in the
+heathen days; was there no Christendom, where the king took the maid,
+nor priest, nor any bishop, nor was God's book ever handled, but in
+the heathen fashion he wedded her, and brought her to his bed' Maiden
+he had her, and ample gift bestowed on her; when he had disgraced
+himself on her, he gave her London and Kent.
+
+The king had three sons, who were men exceeding fair; the eldest hight
+Vortimer,--Pascent, and Catiger. Garengan was an earl, who possessed
+Kent long, and his father before him, and he afterwards through his
+kin (by inheritance), when he best weened to hold his land, then had
+it the queen, and Hengest in his hand; strange it seemed to the
+knight, what the king thought. The king loved the heathens and harmed
+the Christians, the heathens had all this land to rule under their
+hand, and the king's three sons oft suffered sorrow and care. Their
+mother was then dead, therefore they had the less counsel--their
+mother was a woman most good, and led a life very Christian, and their
+stepmother was heathen, Hengest's daughter.
+
+It was not long but a while, that the king made a feast, exceeding
+great, the heathens he brought thereto, he weened most well to do;
+thither came thanes, knights and swains. And all that knew of book
+(the Christians) forsook the feast, for the heathen men were highest
+in the court, and the Christian fold was held for base; the heathens
+were blithe, for the king loved them greatly. Hengest bethought him
+what he might do; he came to the king, with a hailing (salutation),
+and drank to the king. Then thus spake Hengest, fairest of all knights
+who lived of heathen law in those days: "Hearken to me now, lord king,
+thou art to me dear through all things; thou hast my daughter, who is
+to me very dear, and I am to thee among folk as if I were thy father.
+Hearken to my instruction, it shall be to thee lief, for I wish
+chiefly to help counsel thee. Thy court hate thee on my account, and I
+am detested for thee, and thee hate kings, earls and thanes; they fare
+in thy land with a host exceeding strong. If thou wilt avenge thee
+with much worship, and do woe to thy enemies, send after my son Octa,
+and after another, Ebissa, his wed-brother. These are the noblest men
+that ever led army; and give them of thy land in the north end. They
+are of mickle might, and strong in fight; they will defend thy land
+well with the best; then mightest thou in joy thy life all spend, with
+hawks and with hounds court-play love; needest thou never have care of
+foreign people." Then answered Vortiger--of each evil he was
+ware--"Send thy messengers into Saxland, after thy son Octa, and after
+thy friends more. Cause him to know well, that he send his writs after
+all the knights that are good in fight, over all Saxland, that they
+come to my need, and though he bring ten thousand men, all they shall
+be welcome to me." Hengest heard this, fairest of all knights, then
+was he so blithe as he was never in his life.
+
+Hengest sent his messengers into Saxland, and bade Octa come, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa, and all of their kindred that they might gain, and
+all the knights that they might get. Octa sent messengers over three
+kingdoms, and bade each brave man speedily to come to him, who would
+obtain land, or silver or gold. They came soon to the army, as hail
+that falleth, that was to wit, with three hundred ships. Forth went
+with Octa thirty thousand and eke more, brave men and keen; and
+Ebissa, his companion, afterwards arrived with numberless folk, and he
+led to wit an hundred and fifty ships; thereafter arrived five and
+five, by six, by seven, by ten, and by eleven; and thus the heathen
+warriors they arrived toward this land, to the court of this king, so
+that this land was so full of foreign people, that there was no man so
+wise, nor so quick-witted, that might separate the Christians and the
+heathens, for the heathens were so rife, and ever they speedily came!
+
+When the Britons saw that sorrow was in the land, therefore they were
+sorry, and in their heart dreary, and proceeded to the king, the
+highest of this land, and thus to him said with sorrowful voice:
+"Listen to us, lord king, of our discourse; thou art through us (by
+our means) bold king in this Britain, and thou hast procured to thee
+harm and much sin; brought heathen folk--yet it may thee harm;--and
+thou forsakest God's law, for foreign folk, and wilt not worship our
+Lord, for these heathen knights. And we would pray thee, for all God's
+peace, that thou leave them, and drive from thy land. If thou else
+(otherwise) mightest not, we will make mickle fight, and drive them
+from land, or fell them down, or we ourselves will lie slain, and let
+the heathen folk hold this realm, possess it with joy, if they may it
+win. And if they all are heathen, and thou alone Christian, they will
+never long have thee for king, except thou in thy days receive the
+heathen law, and desert the high God, and praise their idols. Then
+shalt thou perish in this world's realm, and thy wretched soul sink to
+hell; then hast thou dearly bought the love of thy bride!" Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware:--"I will not leave them,
+by my quick life! For Hengest is hither come, he is my father, and I
+his son; and I have for mistress his daughter Rouwenne, and I have
+wedded her, and had in my bed, and afterwards I sent after Octa, and
+after more of his companions;--how might I for shame shun them so
+soon, and drive from land my dear friends?" Then answered the Britons,
+with sorrow bound: "We will nevermore obey thy commands, nor come to
+thy court, nor hold thee for king, but we will hate thee with great
+strength, and all thine heathen friends with harm greet. Be Christ
+now, that is God's son, our help!" Forth went the earls, forth went
+the lords, forth went the bishops, and the book-learned men, forth
+went the thanes, forth went the swains, all the Britons, until they
+came to London.
+
+There was many a noble Briton at the husting, and the king's three
+sons they all were come thither; there was Vortimer, Pascent, and
+Catiger, and very many others, that came with the brothers; all the
+folk came thither, that loved the Christendom. And all the rich men
+betook them to counsel, and took the king's eldest son, who was come
+to the husting, and with mickle song of praise elevated him to be
+king. Then was Vortimer Christian king there, and Vortiger, his
+father, followed the heathens. All thus it happened, as the counsel
+was done.
+
+And Vortimer, the young king, was most keen through all things; he
+sent Hengest and Hors his brother, unless speedily they departed from
+this realm, he would evil do to them, both blind and hang them; and
+his own father he would destroy, and all the heathens, with great
+strength. Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Here we will
+dwell winter and summer, ride and run with the King Vortiger; and all
+that with Vortimer go, they shall have sorrow and care!" Vortimer
+heard that--he was wise and most wary--and caused a host to be
+assembled over all this land, that all the Christian folk should come
+to his court. Vortimer, the young king, in London held his husting;
+the king ordered each man that loved the Christendom, that they all
+should hate the heathens, and bring the heads of them to Vortimer the
+king, and have twelve pennies for reward, for his good deed. Vortimer
+the young marched out of London, and Pascent, his brother, and
+Catiger, the other; to them was come word, that Hengest lay at
+Epiford, upon the water that men name Darwent. There came together
+sixty thousand men; on one half was Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger,
+and all the folk that loved our Lord; on the other half were chiefs
+with Vortiger the king, Hengest and his brother, and many thousand
+others. Together they came, and combated with might; there fell to the
+ground two and thirty hundred of Hengest's men; and Hors was wounded.
+Catiger came there, and with his spear ran him through, and Hors
+forth-right there wounded Catiger. And Hengest gan to flee with all
+his followers, and Vortiger the king fled forth as the wind; they flew
+forth into Kent, and Vortimer went after them; there upon the seashore
+Hengest suffered pain; there they gan to halt, and fought very long;
+five thousand there were slain, and deprived of lifeday, of Vortiger's
+men, of the heathen race.
+
+Hengest bethought him what he might do; he saw there beside a haven
+very large, many good ships there stood in the sea-flood. They saw on
+their right hand an island exceeding fair, it is called Thanet;
+thitherward they were brisk; there the Saxish men sought the sea, and
+anon gan pass into the island. And the Britons followed after them,
+with many kind of crafts, and surrounded them on each side; with ships
+and with boats they gan to smite and shoot. Oft was Hengest woe, and
+never worse than then; unless he did other counsel he should there be
+dead. He took a spear-shaft, that was long and very tough, and put on
+the end a fair mantle, and called to the Britons, and bade them abide;
+he would speak with them, and yearn the king's grace, and send
+Vortiger with peace to the land, to make this agreement that he might
+depart without more shame into Saxland.
+
+The Britons went to the land, to Vortimer their king, and Hengest
+spake with Vortiger, in most secret converse. Vortiger went on the
+land, and bare a wand in his hand. The while that they spake of peace
+the Saxons leapt into their ships, and drew up high their sails to the
+top, and proceeded with weather in the wild sea, and left in this land
+their wives and their children, and Vortiger the king, who loved them
+through all things. With much grief of mind Vortiger gan away fare; so
+long they proceeded, that in Saxland they were (arrived). Then were in
+Britain the Britons most bold; they assumed to them mickle mood, and
+did all that seemed good to them; and Vortimer, the young king, was
+doughty man through all things. And Vortiger, his father, proceeded
+over this Britain, but it was no man so poor, that did not revile him,
+and so he gan to wander full five years. And his son Vortimer dwelt
+here powerful king, and all this nation loved him greatly. He was mild
+to each man, and taught the folk God's law, the young and the old, how
+they should hold Christendom.
+
+He sent letters to Rome, to the excellent Pope, who was named Saint
+Romain—-all Christendom he made glad.--He took two bishops, holy men
+they were both, Germain and Louis, of Auxerre and of Troyes; they
+proceeded out of Rome, so that they hither came. Then was Vortimer so
+blithe as he was never ere here; he and all his knights went
+forth-right on their bare feet towards the bishops, and with much
+mirth mouths there kissed. Now mayest thou hear of the King Vortimer,
+how he spake with Saint Germain,—-for their coming he was glad.
+"Listen to me, lordings, I am king of this people; I hight Vortimer,
+my brother hight Catiger; and Vortiger hight our father—-miscounsel
+followeth him! He hath brought into this land heathen people; but we
+have put them to flight, as our full foes, and felled with weapon many
+thousands of them, and sent them over sea-stream, so that they never
+shall come again. And we shall in land worship our Lord, comfort God's
+folk, and friendly it maintain, and be mild to the land-tillers;
+churches we shall honour, and heathendom hate. Each good man shall
+have his right, if God it will grant, and each thral and each slave be
+set free. And here I give to you in hand each church-land all free;
+and I forgive to each widow her lord's testament, and each shall love
+other as though they were brothers. And thus we shall in our day put
+down Hengest's laws, and him and his heathendom that he hither
+brought, and deceived my father through his treacherous crafts;
+through his daughter Rowenne he betrayed my father. And my father so
+evilly began, that he shunned the Christendom, and loved the heathen
+laws too much, which we shall avoid the while that we live."
+
+Then answered Saint Germain—-for such words he was glad:—-"I thank my
+Lord, who shaped the daylight, that he such mercy sent to mankind!"
+These bishops proceeded over this land, and set it all in God's hand,
+and the Christendom they righted, and the folk thereto instructed; and
+then soon thereafter they departed to Rome, and said to the Pope, who
+was named Romain, how they had done here, restored the Christendom.
+And thus it stood a time in the same wise.
+
+Go we yet to Vortiger--of all kings be he most wretched!--he loved
+Rowenne, of the heathen race, Hengest's daughter, she seemed to him
+well soft. Rowenne bethought her what she might do, how she might
+avenge her father and her friends' death. Oft she sent messengers to
+Vortimer the king; she sent him treasures of many a kind, of silver
+and of gold, the best of any land; she asked his favour, that she
+might here dwell with Vortiger his father, and follow his counsels.
+The king for his father's request granted to her her prayer, except
+that she should do well, and love the Christendom; all that the king
+yearned, all she it granted. But alas! that Vortimer was not aware of
+her thought; alas! that the good king of her thought knew nothing;
+that he knew not the treachery that the wicked woman thought!
+
+It befell on a time she betook her to counsel, that she would go to
+the King Vortimer, and do by his counsel all her need, and at what
+time she might do well, and receive the Christendom. Forth she gan
+ride to Vortimer the king; when she him met, fair she greeted him:
+"Hail be thou, lord king, Britain's darling! I am come to thee;
+Christendom I will receive, on the same day that thou thyself deemest
+fit."
+
+Then was Vortimer the king blithe through all things; he weened that
+it were sooth what the wretch said. Trumpets there blew, bliss was in
+the court; forth men brought the water before the king; they sate then
+at the board with much bliss. When the king had eaten, then went the
+thanes-men to meat; in hall they drank; harps there resounded. The
+treacherous Rowenne went to a tun, wherein was placed the king's
+dearest wine. She took in hand a bowl of red gold, and she gan to pour
+out on the king's bench. When she saw her time, she filled her vessel
+with wine, and before all the company she went to the king, and thus
+the treacherous woman hailed him (drank his health): "Lord king,
+wassail, for thee I am most joyful!" Hearken now the great treachery
+of the wicked woman, how she gan there betray the King Vortimer! The
+king received her fair, to his own destruction. Vortimer spake
+British, and Rowenne Saxish; to the king it seemed game enow, for her
+speech he laughed. Hearken how she took on, this deceitful woman! In
+her bosom she bare, beneath her teats, a golden phial filled with
+poison; and the wicked Rowenne drank (or drenched) the bowl, until she
+had half done, after the king's will. The while that the king laughed,
+she drew out the phial; the bowl she set to her chin, the poison she
+poured in the wine, and afterwards she delivered the cup to the king;
+the king drank all the wine, and the poison therein. The day forth
+passed, bliss was in the court, for Vortimer the good king of the
+treachery knew nothing, for he saw Rowenne hold the bowl, and drink
+half of the same wine that she had put therein. When it came to the
+night, then separated the courtiers; and the evil Rowenne went to her
+inn, and all her knights with her forth-right. Then ordered she her
+swains, and eke the thanes all, that they in haste their horse should
+saddle; and they most still to steal out of the burgh, and proceed all
+by night to Thwongchester forth-right, and there most fast to inclose
+them in a castle, and lie to Vortiger, that his son would besiege him.
+And Vortiger the false king believed the leasing.
+
+Now understood Vortimer, his son, that he had taken poison; might no
+leechcraft help him any whit. He took many messengers, and sent over
+his land, and bade all his knights to come to him forth-right. When
+the folk was arrived, then was the king exceeding ill; then asked the
+king their peace, and thus he spake with them all: "Of all knights are
+ye best that serve any king; there is of me no other hap, but that
+speedily I be dead. Here I deliver you my land, all my silver and all
+my gold, and all my treasures--your worship is the greater. And ye
+forth-right send after knights, and give them silver and gold, and
+hold ye yourselves your land, and avenge you, if ye can, of Saxish
+men; for when as I be departed, Hengest will make care to you. And
+take ye my body, and lay in a chest, and carry me to the sea strand,
+where Saxish men will come on land; anon as they know me there, away
+they will go; neither alive nor dead dare they abide me!"
+
+Among all this discourse the good king died; there was weeping, there
+was lament, and piteous cries! They took the king's body, and carried
+to London, and beside Belyns-gate buried him fair; and carried him no
+whit as the king ordered. Thus lived Vortimer, and thus he ended
+there.
+
+Then the Britons fell into evil counsel; they took Vortiger anon, and
+delivered him all this kingdom; there was a well rueful thing, now was
+eft Vortiger king! Vortiger took his messengers, and sent to Saxland,
+and greeted well Hengest, fairest of all knights, and bade him in
+haste to come to this land, and with him should bring here a hundred
+riders. "For that know thou through all things, that dead is Vortimer
+the king, and safe thou mayest hither come, for dead is Vortimer my
+son. It is no need for thee to bring with thee much folk, least our
+Britons eft be angry, so that sorrow eft come between you."
+
+Hengest assembled a host of many kind of land, so that he had to wit
+seven hundred ships, and each ship he filled with three hundred
+knights; in the Thames at London Hengest came to land. The tidings
+came full soon to Vortiger the king, that Hengest was in haven with
+seven hundred ships. Oft was Vortiger woe, but never worse than then,
+and the Britons were sorry, and sorrowful in heart; they knew not in
+the worlds-realm counsel that were to them pleasing. Hengest was of
+evil ware--that he well showed there--he took soon his messengers, and
+sent to the king, and greeted Vortiger the king with words most fair,
+and said that he was come as a father should to his son; with peace
+and with friendship he would dwell in amity; peace he would love, and
+wrong he would shun; peace he would have, peace he would hold; and all
+this nation he would love, and love Vortiger the king through all
+things. But he had brought, in this land, out of Saxland, seven
+hundred ships of heathen folk, "who are the bravest of all men that
+dwell under the sun, and I will," quoth Hengest, "lead them all to the
+king, at a set day, before all his people. And the king shall arise,
+and choose of the knights two hundred knights, to lead to his fight,
+who shall guard the king preciously through all things. And afterwards
+the others shall depart to their land, with peace and with amity,
+again to Saxland; and I will remain with the best of all men, that is
+Vortiger the king, whom I love through all things." The tidings came
+to the Britons how Hengest them promised; then were they fain for his
+fair words, and set they peace and set amity to such a time that the
+king on a day would see this folk. Hengest heard that, fairest of all
+knights; then was he so blithe as he was never ere in life, for he
+thought to deceive the king in his realm. Here became Hengest
+wickedest of knights; so is every man that deceiveth one, who benefits
+him. Who would ween, in this worlds-realm, that Hengest thought to
+deceive the king who had his daughter! For there is never any man,
+that men may not over-reach with treachery. They took an appointed
+day, that these people should come them together with concord and with
+peace, in a plain that was pleasant beside Ambresbury; the place was
+Aelenge, now hight it Stonehenge. There Hengest the traitor either by
+word or by writ made known to the king, that he would come with his
+forces, in honour of the king, but he would not bring in retinue but
+three hundred knights, the wisest men of all that he might find. And
+the king should bring as many on his side bold thanes, and who should
+be the wisest of all that dwelt in Britain, with their good vestments,
+all without weapons, that no evil should happen to them, through
+confidence of the weapons. Thus they it spake, and eft they it brake,
+for Hengest the traitor thus gan he teach his comrades, that each
+should take a long saex (knife), and lay by his shank, within his
+hose, where he it might hide. When they came together, the Saxons and
+Britons, then quoth Hengest, most deceitful of all knights: "Hail be
+thou, lord king, each is to thee thy subject! If ever any of thy men
+hath weapon by his side, send it with friendship far from ourselves,
+and be we in amity, and speak we of concord; how we may with peace our
+lives live." Thus the wicked man spake there to the Britons. Then
+answered Vortiger--here he was too unwary—-"If here is any knight so
+wild, that hath weapon by his side, he shall lose the hand through his
+own brand, unless he soon send it hence." Their weapons they sent
+away, then had they nought in hand;—-knights went upward, knights went
+downward, each spake with other as if he were his brother.
+
+When the Britons were mingled with the Saxons, then called Hengest, of
+knights most treacherous, "Take your saexes, my good warriors, and
+bravely bestir you, and spare ye none!" Noble Britons were there, but
+they knew not of the speech, what the Saxish men said them between.
+They drew out the saexes, all aside; they smote on the right side,
+they smote on the left side, before and behind they laid them to the
+ground, all they slew that they came nigh; of the king's men there
+fell four hundred and five—-woe was the king alive! Then Hengest
+grasped him with his grim gripe, and drew him to him by the mantle, so
+that the strings brake. And the Saxons set on him, and would the king
+kill, and Hengest gan him defend, and would not suffer it; but he held
+him full fast, the while the fight lasted. There was many noble Briton
+bereaved of the life! Some they fled quickly over the broad plain, and
+defended them with stones, for weapons had they none. There was fight
+exceeding hard, there fell many a good knight! There was a bold churl
+of Salisbury come, he bare on his back a great strong club.
+
+Then was there a noble earl, named Aldolf, knight with the best, he
+possessed Gloucester, he leapt to the churl, as if it were a lion, and
+took from him the club, that he bare on his back; whomsoever he smote
+therewith, there forth-right he died; before and behind he laid them
+to the ground. Three and fifty there he slew and afterwards drew
+towards a steed, he leapt upon the steed, and quickly gan him ride, he
+rode to Gloucester, and the gates locked full fast. And anon
+forth-right caused his knights to arm, and marched over all the land,
+and took what they found, they took cattle, they took corn, and all
+that they found alive, and brought to the burgh with great bliss; the
+gates they closed fast, and well them guarded.
+
+Let we it thus stand, and speak we of the king. The Saxons leapt
+towards him, and would kill the king, but Hengest called forth-right,
+"Stop, my knights, ye shall him not destroy; for us he hath had much
+care, and he hath for queen my daughter who is fair. But all his
+burghs he shall deliver to us, if he will enjoy his life, or else is
+sorrow given to him." Then was Vortiger fast bound, gyves exceeding
+great they put on his feet, he might not ever bite meat, nor speak
+with any friend, ere he had to them sworn upon relic that was choice,
+that he would deliver them all this kingdom, in hand, burghs and
+castles, and all his kingdoms. And all so he did, as it was deemed.
+And Hengest took in his hand all this rich kingdom, and divided among
+his people much of this land. He gave an earl all Kent, as it lay by
+London, he gave his steward Essex, and on his chamberlain he bestowed
+Middlesex. The knights received it, and a while they held it, the
+while Vortiger proceeded over this land, and delivered to Hengest his
+noble burghs. And Hengest forth-right placed his knights therein, the
+while much of the baser people lay in Sussex, and in Middlesex much of
+the race, and in Essex their noblest folk. The meat they carried off,
+all that they found, they violated the women, and God's law brake,
+they did in the land all that they would.
+
+The Britons saw that, that mischief was in the land, and how the
+Saxish men were come to them. The Britons shaped to the land a name
+for the shame of Saxish men, and for the treachery that they had done,
+and for that cause that they with knives bereaved them of life, then
+called they all the land East-Sex and West-Sex, and the third
+Middle-Sex. Vortiger the king gave them all this land, so that a turf
+of land did not remain to him in hand. And Vortiger himself fled over
+Severn, far into Welsh-land, and there he gan tarry, and his retinue
+with him, that poor was become. And he had in hoard treasure most
+large, he caused his men to ride wide and far, and caused to be
+summoned to him men of each kind, whosoever would yearn his fee with
+friendship. That heard the Britons, that heard the Scots, they came to
+him riding, thereafter full soon; on each side thither they gan ride,
+many a noble man's son, for gold and for treasure. When he had
+together sixty thousand men, then assembled he the nobles that well
+could advise: "Good men, say me counsel, for to me is great need,
+where I might in wilderness work a castle, wherein I might live with
+my men, and hold it against Hengest with great strength, until that I
+might the better win my burghs, and avenge me of my enemies who felled
+my friends, and have all my kingdom wrested out of my hand, and thus
+driven me out, my full foes?" Then answered a wise man, who well could
+counsel: "Listen now to me, lord king, and I will show to thee a good
+thing; upon the mount of Reir I will advise, that thou work a castle
+with strong stone wall, for there thou mightest dwell, and live with
+joy; and yet thou hast in thy hand much silver and gold, to maintain
+thy people who shall thee help, and so thou mightest in life live best
+of all." Then answered the king: "Let it be made known in haste, over
+my numerous host, that I will go to the mount of Reir, and rear there
+a castle."
+
+Forth went the king, and the host with him; when they thither came, a
+dyke they began soon; horns there blew, machines hewed; lime they gan
+to burn, and over the land to run, and all west Welsh-land set in
+Vortiger's hand; all they it took, that they nigh came. When the dyke
+was dug, and thoroughly deepened, then began they a wall on the dyke
+over all, and they laid together lime and stone; of machines there was
+plenty—-five-and-twenty hundred! In the day they laid the wall, in the
+night it fell over all, in the morrow they reared it, in the night it
+gan to tumble! Full a se'nnight so it them served, each day they
+raised it, and each night it gan fall! Then was the king sorry, and
+sorrowful through all things, so was all the host terribly afraid; for
+ever they looked when Hengest should come upon them.
+
+The king was full sorry, and sent after sages, after world-wise men,
+who knew wisdom, and bade them cast lots, and try incantations, try
+the truth with their powerful craft, on what account it were, that the
+wall that was so strong might not ever stand a night long. These world
+wise men there went in two parties, some they went to the wood, some
+to the cross ways; they gan to cast lots with their incantations, full
+three nights their crafts there they practised, they might never find,
+through never anything, on what account it were, that the wall that
+was so strong every night fell down, and the king lost his labour. But
+there was one sage, he was named Joram, he said that he it found--but
+it seemed leasing--he said that if men found in ever any land, ever
+any male child, that never had father, and opened his breast, and took
+of his blood, and mingled with the lime, and laid in the wall, that
+then might it stand to the world's end. The word came to the king, of
+the leasing, and he it believed, though it were false. Soon he took
+his messengers, and sent over all the land, so far as they for care
+(fear) of death durst anyways fare, and in each town hearkened the
+rumours, where they might find speak of such a child.
+
+These knights forth proceeded wide over the land; two of the number
+went a way that lay right west, that lay forth-right in where now
+Caermarthen is. Beside the burgh, in a broad way, all the burgh-lads
+had a great play. These knights were weary, and in heart exceeding
+sorry, and sate down by the play, and beheld these lads. After a
+little time they began striving--as it was ever custom among
+children's play,—-the one smote the other, and he these blows
+suffered. Then was exceeding wrath Dinabuz toward Merlin, and thus
+quoth Dinabuz, who had the blow: "Merlin, wicked man, why hast thou
+thus done to me? Thou hast done me much shame, therefore thou shalt
+have grief. I am a king's son, and thou art born of nought; thou
+oughtest not in any spot to have free man's abode, for so was all the
+adventure, thy mother was a whore, for she knew not ever the man that
+begat thee on her, nor haddest thou any father among mankind. And thou
+in our land makest us to be shamed, thou art among us come, and art
+son of no man; thou shalt therefore in this day suffer death." The
+knights heard this, where they were aside; they arose up, and went
+near, and earnestly asked of this strange tale, that they heard of the
+lad.
+
+Then was in Caermarthen a reve that hight Eli; the knights quickly
+came to the reve, and thus to him said soon with mouth:
+
+"We are here-right Vortiger's knights, and have found here a young lad
+he is named Merlin, we know no whit his kin. Take him in haste, and
+send him to the king, as thou wilt live, and thy limbs have, and his
+mother with him, who bore him to be man. If thou this wilt do, the
+king will receive them, and if thou carest it not, therefore thou wilt
+be driven out, and this burgh all consumed, this folk all destroyed."
+Then answered Eli, the reve of Caermarthen "Well I wot, that all this
+land stands in Vortiger's hand, and we are all his men--his honour is
+the more!--and we shall do this gladly, and perform his will." Forth
+went the reve, and the burghers his associates, and found Merlin, and
+his playfellows with him Merlin they took, and his companions laughed,
+when that Merlin was led away, then was Dinabuz full glad, he weened
+that he were led away for to lose his limbs, but all another way set
+the doom, ere it were all done.
+
+Now was Merlin's mother strangely become in a noble minster a hooded
+nun. Thither went Eli, the reve of Caermarthen, and took him the good
+lady, where she lay in the minster, and forth gan him run to the King
+Vortiger, and much folk with him, and led the nun and Merlin. The word
+(tidings) was soon made known to the King Vortiger's mouth, that Eli
+was come, and had brought the lady, and that Merlin her son was with
+her there come. Then was Vortiger blithe in life, and received the
+lady, with looks most fair and honour promised, and Merlin he
+delivered to twelve good knights, who were faithful to the king, and
+him should guard. Then said the King Vortiger, with the nun he spake
+there: "Good lady, say to me--well it shall be to thee--where wert
+thou born, who begat thee to be child?" Then answered the nun, and
+named her father:--"The third part of all this land stood in my
+father's hand, of the land he was king, known it was wide, he was
+named Conaan, lord of knights." Then answered the king, as if she were
+of his kin: "Lady, say thou it to me--well it shall be to thee--here
+is Merlin thy son, who begat him? Who was held for father to him among
+the folk?" Then hung she her head, and bent toward her breast; by the
+king she sate full softly, and thought a little while, after a while
+she spake, and said to the king: "King, I will tell thee marvellous
+stories. My father Conaan the king loved me through all things, then
+became I in stature wondrously fair. When I was fifteen years of age,
+then dwelt I in bower, in my mansion, my maidens with me, wondrously
+fair. And when I was in bed in slumber, with my soft sleep, then came
+before me the fairest thing that ever was born, as if it were a tall
+knight, arrayed all of gold. This I saw in dream each night in sleep.
+This thing glided before me, and glistened of gold, oft it me kissed,
+and oft it me embraced, oft it approached me, and oft it came to me
+very nigh; when I at length looked to myself--strange this seemed to
+me—-my meat to me was loathsome, my limbs unusual, strange it seemed
+to me, what it might be! Then perceived I at the end that I was with
+child, when my time came, this boy I had. I know not in this world
+what his father were, nor who begat him in this worlds-realm, nor
+whether it were evil thing, or on God's behalf dight. Alas! as I pray
+for mercy, I know not any more to say to thee of my son, how he is
+come to the world." The nun bowed her head down, and covered her
+features.
+
+The king bethought him what he might do, and drew to him good
+councillors to counsel, and they said him counsel with the best, that
+he should send for Magan, who was a marvellous man. —-He was a wise
+clerk, and knew of many crafts; he would advise well, he could far
+direct, he knew of the craft that dwelleth in the sky (astronomy), he
+could tell of each history (or language). Magan came to court where
+the king dwelt, and greeted the king with goodly words: "Hail be thou
+and sound, Vortiger the king! I am come to thee, show me thy will."
+Then answered the king, and told the clerk all, how the nun had said,
+and asked him thereof counsel, from the beginning to the end, all he
+him told. Then said Magan: "I know full well hereon. There dwell in
+the sky many kind of beings, that there shall remain until domesday
+arrive; some they are good, and some they work evil. Therein is a race
+very numerous, that cometh among men; they are named full truly Incubi
+Daemones; they do not much harm, but deceive the folk; many a man in
+dream oft they delude, and many a fair woman through their craft
+childeth anon, and many a good man's child they beguile through magic.
+And thus was Merlin begat, and born of his mother, and thus it is all
+transacted," quoth the clerk Magan.
+
+Then said Merlin to the king himself: "King, thy men have taken me,
+and I am to thee come, and I would learn what is thy will, and for
+what thing I am brought to the king?" Then said the king with quick
+speech: "Merlin, thou art hither come; thou art son of no man! Much
+thou longest after loath speech; learn thou wilt the adventure--now
+thou shalt hear it. I have begun a work with great strength, that hath
+my treasure well much taken away; five thousand men work each day
+thereon. And I have lime and stone, in the world is none better, nor
+in any land workmen so good. All that they lay in the day--in sooth I
+may say it--ere day in the morrow all it is down; each stone from the
+other felled to the ground! Now say my wise and my sage men, that if I
+take thy blood, out of thy breast, and work my will, and put to my
+lime, then may it stand to the world's end. Now thou knowest it all,
+how it shall be to thee." Merlin heard this, and angered in his mood,
+and said these words, though he were wrath: "God himself, who is lord
+of men, will it never, that the castle should stand for my heart's
+blood, nor ever thy stone wall lie still. For all thy sages are
+exceeding deceitful, they say leasings before thyself--that thou shalt
+find in this day's space. For Joram said this, who is my full foe; the
+tidings seem to me sport, I was shapen to his bane! Let Joram thy sage
+come before thee, and all his companions, forth-right here, who told
+these leasings to the king, and if I say thee my sooth words of thy
+wall, and why it down falleth, and with sooth it prove, that their
+tales are leasing, give me their heads, if I thy work heal." Then
+answered the king with quick voice: "So help me my hand, this covenant
+I hold thee!"
+
+To the king was brought Joram the sage, and seven of his companions--
+all they were fated to die! Merlin angered, and he spake wrathly:--
+"Say me, Joram, traitor--loathsome to me in heart--why falleth this
+wall to the ground, say me why it happeneth that the wall falleth,
+what men may find at the dyke's bottom?" Joram was still, he could not
+tell. Then said Merlin these words: "King, hold to me covenant! Cause
+this dyke to be dug anon seven feet deeper than it is now; they shall
+find a stone wondrously fair, it is fair and broad, for folk to
+behold." The dyke was dug seven feet deeper, then they found anon
+there-right the stone. Then said Merlin these words: "King, hold to me
+covenant! Say to me, Joram, man to me most hateful, and say to this
+king what kind of thing hath taken station under this stone?" Joram
+was still; he could not tell.
+
+Then said Merlin a wonder: "A water here is under; do away this stone,
+the water ye shall find anon." They did away the stone before the king
+anon, the water they found anon. Then said Merlin: "Ask me Joram, who
+is my full foe, after a while, to say thee of the bottom, what
+dwelleth in the water, winter and summer." The king asked Joram, but
+he knew nought thereof. The yet said Merlin these words: "King, hold
+to me covenant! Cause this water to be carried off, and away cast;
+there dwell at the bottom two strong dragons; the one is on the north
+side, the other on the south side, the one is milk-white, to each
+beast unlike, the other as red as blood, boldest of all worms! Each
+midnight they begin to fight, and through their fight thy works fell,
+the earth began to sink, and thy wall to tumble; and through such
+wonder thy wall is fallen, that happened in this flood, and not for my
+blood." This water was all carried off; the king's men were glad,
+great was the bliss before the monarch, and soon there-after they were
+sorry; ere the day came to an end, strange tidings they heard.
+
+When the water was all carried off, and the pit was empty, then came
+out these two dragons, and made great din, and fought fiercely down in
+the dyke. Never saw any man any loathlier fight; flames of fire flew
+from their mouths! The monarch saw this fight, their grim gestures;
+then was he astonished in this worlds-realm, what this tokening were,
+that he saw there at the bottom, and how Merlin knew it, that no other
+man knew. First was the white above, and afterwards he was beneath,
+and the red dragon wounded him to death; and either went to his hole--
+no man born saw them afterwards! Thus fared this thing that Vortiger
+the king saw. And all that were with him loved Merlin greatly; and the
+king hated Joram, and deprived him of his head, and all his seven
+comrades that with him were there.
+
+The king went to his house, and led Merlin with him, and said to him
+with much love: "Merlin, thou art welcome, and I will give thee all
+that thou desirest, of my land, of silver and of gold." He weened
+through Merlin to win all the land, but it happened all otherwise ere
+the day's end came. The king thus asked his dear friend Merlin, "Say
+me now, Merlin, man to me dearest, what betoken the dragons that made
+the din, and the stone, and the water, and the wondrous fight? Say me,
+if thy will is, what betokeneth all this? And afterwards thou must
+counsel me how I shall guide me, and how I may win my kingdom from
+Hengest, my wife's father, who hath harmed me greatly." Then answered
+Merlin to the king that spake with him: "King, thou art unwise, and
+foolish in counsel, thou askest of the dragons that made the din, and
+what betokened their fight, and their fierce assaults? They betoken
+kings that yet are to come, and their fight, and their adventure, and
+their fated folk! But if thou wert so wise a man, and so prudent in
+thought, that thou haddest inquired of me of thy many sorrows, thy
+great care, that is to come to thee, I would say to thee of thy
+sorrow." Then quoth Vortiger the king: "Dear friend Merlin, say me of
+the things that are to come to me." "Blithely," quoth Merlin, with
+bold voice, "I will say to thee; but ever it will thee rue. King,
+king, be-see thee (see to thyself), sorrow is to thee given of
+Constantine's kin!--his son thou killedest; thou causedest Constance
+to be slain, who was king in this land; thou causedst thy Peohtes to
+betray (or destroy) him basely; therefore thou shalt suffer sorrows
+most of all! Afterwards thou drewest upon thee foreign people, the
+Saxons to this land, therefore thou shalt be destroyed! Now are the
+barons of Britain arrived; it is, Aurelie and Uther--now thou art
+thereof aware;--they shall come to-morrow, full truly, in this land at
+Totnes, I do thee well to wit, with seven hundred ships; and now they
+sail speedily in the sea. Thou hast much evil done to them, and now
+thou must the harm receive; thou hast on both sides bane that to thee
+shall seem; for now thy foes are before thee, and thy enemies behind.
+But flee, flee thy way, and save thy life--and flee whither that thou
+fleest, they will pursue after thee! Ambrosie Aurelie he shall have
+first this kingdom; but he through draught of poison shall suffer
+death. And afterwards shall Uther Pendragon have this kingdom; but thy
+kin shall kill him with poison; but ere he suffer death, he shall din
+(contest) make. Uther shall have a son, out of Cornwall he shall come,
+that shall be a wild boar, bristled with steel; the boar shall consume
+the noble burghs; he shall destroy (or devour) all the traitors with
+authority; he shall kill with death all thy rich kindred; he shall be
+man most brave, and noble in thought; hence into Rome this same shall
+rule; all his foes he shall fell to the ground. Sooth I have said to
+thee, but it is not to thee the softer;—-but flee with thine host, thy
+foes come to thee to thy court!" Then Merlin the wise ceased his
+words, and the king caused thirteen trumpets to be blown, and marched
+forth with his army exceeding quickly. There was not forth-right but
+space of one night, that the brothers came, both together, to the
+sea-strand full truly, at Dartmouth in Totnes.
+
+The Britons heard this, and were full surely blithe; they drew
+themselves out of the woods, and out of the wilderness, by sixty, and
+by sixty, and by seven hundred, by thirty, and by thirty, and by many
+thousands—-when they came together, full good it seemed to them! And
+the brothers brought to this land a numerous host, and here came
+before them these bold Britons, a numerous folk, who would it all
+avenge, that ere were over the woods wondrously scattered, through the
+mickle dread, and through the great misery, and through the mickle
+harm that Hengest wrought them, and who had murdered all their chief
+men with knives, with axes cut in pieces the good thanes! The Britons
+held husting with great wisdom; they took anon Aurelie, the elder
+brother, in the noble husting, and raised him to be king. Then were
+the Britons filled with bliss, blithe in mood who ere were mournful.
+These tidings came to Vortiger the king, that Aurelie was chosen and
+raised to be king. Then was Vortiger woe, and eft to him was worse!
+Vortiger proceeded far to a castle, named Genoure, upon a high mount;
+Cloard hight the mount, and Hergin hight the land, near the Wye, that
+is a fair water (stream). Vortiger's men took all that they came nigh;
+they took weapons and meat, on many a wise; to the castle they brought
+as much as they cared for, so that they had enow, though it little
+helped them. Aurehe and Uther were aware of Vortiger, where he was
+upon Cloard, inclosed in a castle. They caused trumpets to be blown,
+their host to be assembled--a numerous folk of many a land--they
+marched to Genoure, where Vortiger lay. A king was within, a king was
+without; knights there fought with fierce encounters; every good man
+made himself ready. When they saw that they had not the victory, then
+a wondrous great force went to the wood; they felled the wood down,
+and drew to the castle, and filled all the dyke that was wondrously
+deep. And fire they sent in, on every side, and called to Vortiger:
+"Now thou shalt warm thee there, for thou slewest Constance, who was
+king of this land, and afterwards Constantine his son. Now is Aurelie
+come, and Uther his brother, who send thee bale!" The wind wafted the
+fire, so that it burnt wonderfully; the castle gan to burn, the
+chambers there were consumed; the halls fell to the ground. Might no
+man there against the fire make fight; the fire went over all, and
+burnt house, and burnt wall; and the King Vortiger therein he gan to
+burn; all it was consumed that therein dwelt! Thus ended there, with
+mickle harm, Vortiger!
+
+Then Aurelie had all the land in his hand. There was the strong earl,
+named Aldolf, he was of Gloucester, of all knights skilfullest; there
+in the land Aurehe made him his steward. Then had Aurelie, and Uther
+his brother, felled their foes, and were therefore the blither!
+Hengest heard this, strongest of all knights; then was he afraid
+exceeding greatly. He marched his host, and fled toward the Scots, and
+Aurelie the king went after him in haste. And Hengest thought that he
+would, with all his army, if men pursued him, flee into Scotland, so
+that he might thence with guile escape, if he might not for Aurelie
+remain in the land. Aurelie marched forth, and led his host right
+north, with all his might, full a se'nnight. The Britons were bold,
+and proceeded over the weald. Then had Aurelie a numerous force; he
+found ravaged land, the people slain, and all the churches burnt, and
+the Britons consumed. Then said Aurelie the king, Britain's darling:
+"If I might abide, that I should back ride; and if the Lord it will,
+who shaped the daylight, that I might in safety obtain my right (or
+country), churches I will arear, and God I will worship. I will give
+to each man his right, and to every person, the old and the young, I
+will be gracious, if God will grant to me my land to win!"
+
+Tidings came to Hengest of Aurelie the king, that he brought an army
+of innumerable folk. Then spake Hengest, most treacherous of all
+knights: "Hearken now, my men--honour to you is given--here cometh
+Aurelie, and Uther eke, his brother; they bring very much folk, but
+all they are fated! For the king is unwise, so are his knights, and a
+knave is his brother, the one as the other; therefore may Britons be
+much the un-bolder, when the head (leader) is bad, the heap
+(multitude) is the worse. And well ye may it remember, what I will
+say; better are fifty of us, than of them five hundred--that they many
+times have found, since they in land sought the people. For known it
+is wide, of our bold feats, that we are chosen warriors with the best!
+We shall against them stand, and drive them from land, and possess
+this realm after our will." Thus bold Hengest, fairest of all knights,
+emboldened his host, where he was in field, but otherwise it was
+disposed ere came the day a se'nnight. Forth came the tidings to
+Aurelie the king, where Hengest abode upon a mount.
+
+Aurelie had for companions thirty thousand riders, bold Britons, who
+made their threat; and eke he had Welsh, wondrously many. Then caused
+he his knights to be ever weaponed, day and night, as if they should
+go to battle; for ever he had care of the heathen folk. And Aurelie
+with his host marched quickly towards him. When Hengest heard that
+Aurelie was near, he took his army, and marched against him. When
+Aurelie was aware that Hengest would come there, he went into a field,
+well weaponed under shield; he took forth-right ten thousand knights,
+that were the best born and chosen of his force, and set them in the
+field, on foot under shield. Ten thousand Welsh he sent to the wood;
+ten thousand Scots he sent aside, to meet the heathens by ways and by
+streets; himself he took his earls and his good warriors, and his
+faithfullest men, that he had in hand, and made his shield-troop, as
+it were a wild wood; five thousand there rode, who should all this
+folk well defend. Then called Aldolf, Earl of Gloucester, "If the
+Lord, that ruleth all dooms, grant it to me, that I might abide, that
+Hengest should come riding, who has in this land so long remained, and
+betrayed my dear friends with his long axes beside Ambresbury, with
+miserable death! But if I might of the earl win to me the country;
+then might I say my sooth words, that God himself had granted good to
+me, if I might fell my foes to ground anon, and avenge my dear
+kindred, whom they have laid adown!"
+
+Scarcely was this speech said to the end, that they saw Hengest
+approach over the down. With a numerous host they fiercely marched,
+together soon they came, and terribly they slew, there the stern men
+together rushed themselves, helms there gan resound, knights there
+fell, steel went against the bones, mischief there was rife; streams
+of blood flowed in the ways; the fields were dyed, and the grass
+changed colour! When Hengest saw that his help failed him, then
+withdrew he from the fight, and fled aside, and his folk after
+speedily moved. The Christians pursued after, and laid on them, and
+called Christ, God's son, to be to them in aid; and the heathen people
+also called loud, "Our God Tervagant, why failest thou us now?" When
+Hengest saw the heathens recede, and the Christian men come upon them,
+then fled Hengest through and through, until he came to Coningsburgh;
+in the burgh he went, safety to obtain. And the King Aurelie went
+after him anon, and called to his people with loud voice: "Run ever
+forth and forth! Hengest is gone northwards!" And they pursued after
+him until they came to the burgh. When Hengest and his son saw all the
+host come after them, then said Hengest, of all knights wrathest,
+"Will I no more flee, but now I will fight, and my son Octa, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa! And all my army, stir ye your weapons, and march
+we against them, and make we strong slaughter! And if we fell them
+not, then be we dead, laid on the field, and deprived of friends!"
+Hengest marched on the weald, and left all his tents; and made his
+shield troop all of his heathen men. Then came Aurelie the king, and
+many thousands with him, and began there another fight, that was
+exceeding strong; there was many great stroke dealt in the combat!
+There were the Christians well nigh overcome. Then approached there
+five thousand riders, that Aurelie had on horse to fight; they smote
+on the heathens, so that they down fell; there was fight most strong,
+combat full stern!
+
+In the fight came the Earl Aldolf of Gloucester, and found Hengest,
+wickedest of knights, where he fought fiercely, and felled the
+Christians. Aldolf drew his good sword, and upon Hengest smote; and
+Hengest cast the shield before him, and else were his life destroyed;
+and Aldolf smote on the shield, so that it was shivered in two. And
+Hengest leapt to him, as if it were a lion, and smote upon Aldolf's
+helm, so that it parted in two. Then hewed they with swords—-the
+strokes were grim—-fire flew from the steel, oft and well frequent!
+After a time, then leapt Aldolf to the ground, and saw by him Gorlois,
+who was a keen man full truly; of Cornwall he was earl, he was widely
+known. Then was the baron Aldolf much the bolder, and heaved high his
+sword, and let it down swing, and smote Hengest on the hand, so that
+he let go his good brand; and in haste grasped him, with his grim
+looks, by the cuirasses hood that was on his head, and with great
+strength struck him down; and then he him up drew, as if he would
+crush him, and with arms embraced him, and forth him led. Now was
+Hengest taken, through Aldolf, the brave man! Then called Aldolf, the
+Earl of Gloucester: "Hengest, it is not so merry for thee now as it
+was whilom by Ambresbury, where thou drewest the axes, and slew the
+Britons, with much treachery thou slewest my kindred! Now thou shalt
+pay retribution, and lose thy friends; with cruel death perish in the
+world!" Hengest proceeded still (without speaking); he saw no help;
+Aldolf led him to his sovereign, and greeted the sovereign with loving
+words: "Hail be thou, Aurelie, of noble race! Here I bring before thee
+Hengest, the heathen, who was thy kindred's bane, who hath sought to
+us harm; God granted it to me, that I have him grasped! Now I give him
+to thee, for dearest of men art thou to me; and let thy attendants
+play with this hound, shoot with their arrows, and his race anon
+destroy!" Then answered the king with quick voice: "Blessed be thou,
+Aldolf, noblest of all earls! Thou art to me dear as my life, thou
+shalt be chief of people!" There men took Hengest, and there men bound
+Hengest; there was then Hengest of all knights most wretched! This
+fight was overcome, and the heathens fled. Then saw Octa, that his
+father was full woe; and with Ebissa, his wed brother, joined them
+together, and fled into York, with harm enow, and made ready the
+walls, and pulled down the halls. Some of the heathens went to the
+wood, where the folk on foot laid them to ground.
+
+Then was Aurelie the king pleased well through all things; he
+proceeded into Coningsburgh, with all his folk, and thanked the Lord
+for such might. Three days and three nights the king dwelt there
+forth-right, to heal the wounds of his dear knights, and rest in the
+burgh their weary bones. When the third day came, and the folk had
+made none, then caused the king the trumpets to blow, and summoned his
+earls, that they should come to husting, to Aurelie the king. When
+they came together, the king asked them soon, what they would counsel
+him, who were his rich men, by what death Hengest should die, and how
+he might best avenge his dearest friends, who lay buried near
+Ambresbury.
+
+Then stood up Eldadus, and with the king he spake thus;—towards God he
+was good, he was a holy bishop, Aldolf the earl's brother, he had no
+other:--"Lord king, listen now to me, what I will thee tell. I will
+make the sentence, how he shall be put to death. For he is most
+hateful of men to us in the world, and hath slain our kindred, and
+deprived of life-day; and he is a heathen hound—hell he shall seek;
+there he shall sink for his treachery! Lord king, hearken to me, what
+I thee will tell. A king was in Jerusalem, who was named Saul; and in
+heathendom was a king of mickle might, who was named Agag—Jerusalem he
+hated—he was king of the Amalech—the Worse was full nigh to him! Ever
+he hated Jerusalem with harm the most; never would he give them peace,
+but ever he withstood them; he burnt them, he slew them, he did them
+sorrow enow! It fell on a time that the sun gan to shine; then sate
+Agag the king on his high chair; his fated blood was troubled, and
+urged him to march. He called his knights anon forth-right: 'Quick to
+your steeds! and forth we shall ride; we shall burn and slay all about
+Jerusalem!' Forth went the king, and a great host with him; the land
+they gan through-run, and the towns to consume. The men saw that who
+dwelt in Jerusalem; and they advanced against them, knights and
+swains, and fought with the king, and with fight him overcame, and
+slew all his folk, and Agag the king they took; and so they with him
+came to Saul the king. Then was Saul the king blithe through all
+things! The king asked counsel at his rich knights anon, which he
+might the better do to him, either slay or up hang. Then leapt up
+Samuel, a prophet of Israel;—he was a man exceeding holy, high toward
+the Lord; no man knew in those days man so high in God's law. Samuel
+took Agag the king, and led him in the market-place, and caused him
+most fast to a stake to be bound; and took with his right hand a
+precious brand; and thus called to him Samuel, the good man: 'Thou
+hightest Agag the king, now thou art in sorrow! Now thou shalt receive
+the retribution for that thou destroyedest Jerusalem, for that thou
+hast this noble burgh so greatly injured, and many a good man slain,
+and deprived of life-day! As I hope for mercy, shalt thou do so no
+more.' Samuel heaved up the sword, and strongly down struck, and cut
+the king all in pieces in Jerusalem's market, and threw the pieces
+wide over the streets. Thus Samuel took-on (acted), and so oughtest
+thou do to Hengest."
+
+Aldolf heard this, the Earl of Gloucester; toward Hengest he leapt, as
+if it were a lion, and grasped him by the head, and after him hauled
+him, and drew him through and through, and throughout all
+Coningsburgh; and without the burgh he caused him to be bound. Aldolf
+drew his sword, and smote off Hengest's head; and the king took him
+forth-right, because he was so brave a knight, and laid him in earth,
+after the heathen law, and prayed for the soul, that it never were
+happy.
+
+And now Aurelie the king caused a husting to be summoned, and caused
+trumpets to be blown, and his army to assemble--there was wondrous
+folk--and marched right to York, and inclosed Octa with his men there
+within. The king caused a dyke to be dug, all about York, that no man
+might there either go out or in. Octa saw that; therefore he was full
+woe. And his heathen folk, that he had in the burgh, they betook them
+to counsel, what they might do. And thus spake Octa with his companion
+Ebissa: "I have now bethought me, what I will do. I and my knights
+shall forth-right in our bare-breech go out of the burgh, hang on my
+neck a chain, and come to the king, praying his mercy. We all shall
+else be dead, except we follow this counsel." And, they all did so, as
+Octa them advised; put off their clothes the careful knights, and
+proceeded out of the burgh, miserable thanes, twain and twain, twenty
+hundred! Aurelie beheld this, noblest of kings, strange it seemed to
+him of the naked knights. Together came the host that lay over the
+land; they saw Octa naked come, that was Hengest's son. He bare in his
+hand a long chain; he came to the king, and before his warriors he
+fell upon the ground, and the king's feet sought; and these words then
+said Hengest's son Octa: "Mercy, my lord king, through God the mild;
+for the love of God Almighty have mercy of my knights! For all our
+heathendom is become base, our laws and our people, for loathsome we
+are to the Lord. For us has failed in hand Appolin, and Tervagant,
+Woden, and Mercurius, Jupiter, and Saturnus, Venus, and Didon, Frea,
+and Mamilon, and all our beliefs are now to us odious, but we will
+believe on thy dear Lord, for all it faileth us now in hand, that we
+worshipped. We yearn thy favour, now and evermore; if thou wilt me
+grant peace, and if thou wilt me grant amity, we will draw to thee,
+and be thy faithful men; love thy people, and hold thy laws, if thou
+wilt not that, do thy will, whetherso (whatsoever) thou wilt do, or
+slay us or up hang us."
+
+And the king was mild-hearted, and held him still; he beheld on the
+right hand, he beheld on the left hand, which of his wise men first
+would speak. They all were still, and kept silence with voice; was
+there no man so high, that durst a word utter; and ever lay Octa at
+the king's feet so; all his knights lay behind him. Then spake
+Aldadus, the good bishop, and said thus: "Ever it was, and ever it
+shall be, and yet it behoveth us, when we yearn mercy, that we should
+have mercy; worthy is he of mercy, who worthily prayeth for it. And
+thou thyself, lord king, thou art chief of the people, pardon thou
+Octa, and also his companions, if they will receive Christendom with
+good belief; for yet it may befall, in some country that they may
+fitly worship the Lord. Now stands all this kingdom in thine own hand,
+give them a place, where it shall be agreeable to thee, and take of
+them hostages, such as thou wilt require; and let them be well held in
+iron bonds; the hostages be found meat and clothes, be found all that
+to them shall belief; and then mightest thou well hold this people in
+thy land, and let them till the land, and live by their tilth. And if
+it subsequently shall befall, soon thereafter, that they fail in hand
+to hold troth, and weaken in work, and withstand thee, now I decree to
+thee the doom, what thou mayest then do. Cause men to ride to them
+exceeding quickly, and cause them all to be destroyed, slain and eke
+up hung. This I decree to thee; the Lord it hear!" Then answered the
+king, with quick voice: "All I will so do as thou hast deemed." Thus
+spake the king then: "Arise up, Octa; thou shalt quickly do well,
+receive Christendom." There was Octa baptised, and his companions
+also; and all his knights on the spot forth-right. They took their
+hostages, and gave to the king, three-and-fifty children they
+delivered to the king. And the king sent them beside Scotland; oaths
+they swore, that they would not deceive him. The king gave them in
+hand sixty hides of land, thereon they dwelt well many winters.
+
+The king was in York, good it seemed to him; he took his messengers,
+and sent over all his land, and ordered his bishops, his book-learned
+men, earls and thanes, to come towards him, to Aurelie the king, to a
+great husting. It soon came to pass, that they came together. The king
+greeted his folk with his fair words, he welcomed earls, he welcomed
+barons, and the bishops, and the book-learned men.--"I will say to you
+with sooth words, why I sent after you, and for what thing. Here I
+give to each knight his land and his right, and to every earl and
+every baron, what he may win, to possess it with joy; and each man I
+order to love peace, on his life. And I bid you all to work and build
+the churches that are fallen, to let the bells ring, to sing God's
+praise, and each with our might to worship our dear Lord; each man by
+his might to hold peace and amity, and cause the land to be tilled,
+now it is all in my hand." When this doom was all said, they all
+praised this counsel. The king gave them leave to depart thence; each
+fared homeward, as to them it best seemed.
+
+Full seven nights the king lay there still, and then he gan proceed
+into London, to gladden the burgh-folk, who oft were busy. He caused
+walls to be strengthened, he caused halls to be built, and all the
+works to be righted that ere were broken; and gave them all the laws
+that stood in their elders' days; and he made there reves, to rule the
+folk. And thence he gan proceed right to Winchester; and there he
+caused to be worked halls and churches;--there it seemed to him most
+pleasant;--and afterwards he went to Ambresbury, to the burial-place
+of his dear friends, whom Hergest with knives had murdered there. He
+caused men anon to be inquired for, who could hew stone, and eke good
+wrights, who could work with axe, he thought to work there a work
+wondrously fair, that ever should last, the while men lived! Then was
+in Caerleon a bishop, that hight Tremoriun; he was a man exceeding
+wise in the worlds-realm; with the king he was, over the weald. And
+thus Tremoriun, God's servant, spake there with the king, of a good
+thing: "Listen now to me, Aurelie, what I will make known to thee, and
+I will say to thee the best of all counsel, if thou wilt it approve,
+eft it will like to thee. We have a prophet, who is Merlin named; if
+any man might him find, upon this weald, and bring him to thee,
+through any kind of thing, and if thou his will wouldest perform, he
+would say to thee best of all counsel, how thou mightest this work
+make strong and stark, that ever might last, the while that men
+lived." Then answered the king--these words were to him agreeable:--
+"Dear friend Tremoriun, all this I will do." The king in haste sent
+his messengers over all his kingdom, and bade every man to ask after
+Merlin; and if men might him find, to bring him to the king, he would
+give him land, both silver and gold, and in the worlds-realm perform
+his will. The messengers gan to ride wide and far; some they went
+right north, and some they went forth south; some they went right
+east, and some they went right west, some they went anon, so that they
+came to Alaban, that is a fair well in Welsh land. The well he
+(Merlin) much loved, and oft therein bathed him; the knights him found
+where he sate by the strand. So soon as they him met, they greeted him
+fair; and thus said the two knights to him forth-right: "Hail be thou,
+Merlin, wisest of men! By us he who is a goodly king, named Aurelie,
+noblest of all kings, greets thee, and he beseecheth thee courteously,
+that thou come to him; and he will give land to thee, both silver and
+gold, if thou in the realm wilt counsel the king." Then answered
+Merlin, what to the knights was full woe: "I reck not of his land, his
+silver, nor his gold, nor his clothes, nor his horses; myself I have
+enow." Then sate he still a long time. These knights were afraid, that
+he would flee. When it all brake forth, it was good that he spake: "Ye
+are two knights come right here; yesterday ere noon I knew that ye
+should come, and if I so would, ye might not have found me. Ye bring
+me greeting from Aurelie the king. I knew his qualities ere he came to
+land, and I knew the other, Uther his brother; I knew both ere they
+were born, though I never saw either with eye. But alas! alas! that it
+is so ordered, that the monarch may not live long! But now will I go,
+and be your companion; to the king I will proceed, and perform his
+will."
+
+Forth went Merlin, and the knights with him, so long that they came to
+the sovereign. The good tidings came to the king; never ere in his
+life was the king so blithe, for ever any kind of man that came to
+him! The king went to his steed, and out gan him ride, and all his
+knights with him, to welcome Merlin. The king him met, and greeted him
+fair, he embraced him, he kissed him, he made him his familiar. Great
+was the mirth among the people, all for Merlin's arrival, who was son
+of no man. Alas! that in the world was no wise man that ever knew here
+whose son he were, but the Lord alone, who surveys (or explores) all
+clean! The king led to chamber Merlin who was dear; and he gan ask him
+anon with his fair words, that he should cause him to understand of
+the world's course, and of all the years that were to come, for it
+were to him greatly in will, that he thereof knew. Merlin then
+answered, and to the king said thus: "O Aurelie, the king, thou askest
+me a strange thing, look that thou no more such thing inquire. For my
+spirit truly is wrathful, that is in my breast; and if I among men
+would make boast, with gladness, with game, with goodly words, my
+spirit would wrath himself, and become still, and deprive me of my
+sense, and my wise words fore-close, then were I dumb of every
+sentence. But leave all such things," quoth Merlin to the king, "for
+whensoever need shall come to ever any people, and man will beseech me
+with mildness, and I may with my will dwell still, then may I say, how
+it afterwards shall happen. But I will counsel thee of thy nearest
+need, and say to thee right here what thou hast in heart. A plain is
+by Ambresbury, that is broad, and exceeding pleasant, there was thy
+kindred deprived of life with knives, there was many bold Briton
+betrayed to the death; and thinkest to greet the place with worship,
+and with surprising works to honour the dead, that there shall ever
+stand, to the world's end. But thou hast never any man, that knows
+aught thereon, who can make a work that never will fail. But I will
+counsel thee at such need, for I know a work with wonder encompassed,
+far the work standeth in Ireland. It is a most surprising thing, it is
+named the Giant's Ring, the work is of stone, such another there is
+none, so wide as is the worlds-realm is no work its like. The stones
+are great, and virtue they have; the men who are sick they go to the
+stones, and they wash the stones, and therewith bathe their bones;
+after a little while they become all sound! But the stones are mickle,
+and immensely great; for was never any man born, in every any burgh,
+who might with strength bring the stones thence." Then answered the
+king: "Merlin, thou sayest strange thing, that never any man born may
+bring them thence, nor with any strength carry from the place, how
+might I then bring them hence?" Then answered Merlin to the king who
+spake with him: "Yes, yes, lord king, it was of yore said, that better
+is art, than evil strength; for with art men may hold what strength
+may not obtain. But assemble thine army, and go to the land, and lead
+thou with thee a good host; and I will go with thee—thy worship will
+be the more! Ere thou back come, thy will thou shalt have, and the
+work thou shalt bring with thee to this land, and so thou shalt carry
+it to the burial-place, and honour the spot where thy friends lie. And
+thou thyself shalt therein thy bones rest; when thy life endeth, there
+shalt thou rest." Thus said Merlin, and afterwards he sate still, as
+though he would from the world depart. The king caused him to be
+brought into a fair chamber, and dwell therein, after his will.
+
+Aurche the king caused a husting to be summoned from all the lands
+that stood in his hand; he bade them counsel him at such need. And his
+noble barons they well advised him, that he should do the counsel that
+Merlin had said to him. But they would not lead the king out of this
+land, but they chose them for chief Uther the good, and fifteen
+thousand knights, weaponed fair, of bold Britons, who thither should
+go. When this army was all ready, then began they to fare with all the
+best ships that by the sea stood, and voyaged so long that they came
+to Ireland. And the brave knights took the haven, they went upon the
+sea-strand, and beheld Ireland. Then spake Merlin, and discoursed with
+words: "See ye now, brave men, the great hill, the hill so exceeding
+high, that to the welkin it is full high? That is the marvellous
+thing, it is named the Giant's Ring, to each work unlike--it came from
+Africa. Pitch your tents over all these fields, here we shall rest for
+the space of three days; on the fourth day we shall march hence toward
+the hill, where our will is. But we shall first refresh us, and
+assemble our warriors, make ready our weapons, for well they behove us
+(we shall need them)." Thus it remained, and there lay the army.
+
+Then possessed Ireland a king that was most strong; he hight
+Gillomaur, he was lord of the people, the tidings came to him that the
+Britons were in the land, he caused forces to be summoned over all
+Ireland's territory, and he gan to threaten greatly, that he would all
+drive them out. When the word came to him, what the Britons would do
+there, and that they came for that only, to fetch the stones, then the
+King Gillomar made mickle derision and scorn, and said that they were
+foolish fellows, who over the broad sea were thither arrived, to seek
+there stones, as if none were in their land; and swore by Saint
+Brandan:—-"They shall not carry away one stone, but for love of the
+stones they shall abide the most of all mischiefs; spill their blood
+out of their bellies—-and so men shall teach them (they shall be
+taught) to seek stones! And afterwards I will go into Britain, and say
+to the King Aurelie, that my stones I will defend, and unless the king
+be still, and do my will, I will in his land with fight withstand,
+make him waste paths, and wildernesses many; widows enow—-there
+husbands shall die!" Thus the unwise king played with words, but it
+all happened another wise, other than he weened. His army was ready,
+and forth they gan march, so long that they came whereon the Britons
+lay. Together they came, and hardily encountered, and fought
+fiercely—-the fated fell! But the Irish were bare, and the Britons in
+armour, the Irish fell, and covered all the fields. And the King
+Gillomar gan him to flee there, and fled forth-right, with twenty of
+his knights, into a great wood—-of worship bereaved—-his Irish folk
+was felled with steel. Thus was the king shamed, and thus he ended his
+boast, and thus went to the wood, and let his folk fall! The Britons
+beheld the dead over the fields; seven thousand there lay deprived of
+life. The Britons went over the fields to their tents, and worthily
+looked to (or took care of) their good weapons, and there they gan to
+rest, as Merlin counselled them.
+
+On the fourth day then gan they to march, and proceeded to the hill,
+all well weaponed, where the marvellous work stood, great and most
+strong! Knights went upward, knights went downward, knights went all
+about, and earnestly beheld it, they saw there on the land the
+marvellous work stand. There were a thousand knights with weapons well
+furnished, and all the others to wit guarded well their ships. Then
+spake Merlin, and discoursed with the knights: "Knights, ye are
+strong, these stones are great and long, ye must go nigh, and forcibly
+take hold of them; ye must wreathe them fast with strong sail-ropes,
+shove and heave with utmost strength trees great and long, that are
+exceeding strong, and go ye to one stone, all clean, and come again
+with strength, if ye may it stir." But Merlin wist well how it should
+happen. The knights advanced with mickle strength; they laboured full
+greatly, but they had not power, so that they ever any stone might
+stir! Merlin beheld Uther, who was the king's brother, and Merlin the
+prophet said these words: "Uther, draw thee back, and assemble thy
+knights, and stand ye all about, and diligently behold, and be ye all
+still, so that no man there stir ere I say to you now anon how we
+shall commence, 'Take ye each a stone.'" Uther drew him back, and
+assembled his knights, so that none there remained near the stones, as
+far as a man might cast a stone. And Merlin went about, and diligently
+gan behold, thrice he went about, within and without, and moved his
+tongue as if he sung his beads. Thus did Merlin there, then called he
+Uther: "Uther, come quickly, and all thy knights with thee, and take
+ye these stones all, ye shall not leave one; for now ye may heave them
+like feather balls; and so ye shall with counsel carry them to our
+ships." These stones they carried away, as Merlin counselled them, and
+placed them in their ships, and sailed forth to wit, and so they gan
+proceed into this land, and brought them on a plain that is wondrously
+broad, broad it is and most pleasant, near Ambresbury, where Hengest
+betrayed the Britons with axes. Merlin gan rear them, as they ere
+stood, so never any other man could do the craft, nor ever ere
+there-before was any man so wise born, that could the work raise, and
+the stones dispose.
+
+The tidings came to the king in the north end, of Merlin's proceeding,
+and of Uther, his brother, that they were with safety come to this
+land, and that the work was all disposed, and set up right. The king
+was in breast wondrously blithe; and caused a husting to be summoned,
+so wide as was all his land, that all his merry folk so very joyous
+should come to Ambresbury, all his people, at Whitsunday, and the king
+would be there, and honour the place. Thither came Aurelie the king,
+and all his folk with him, on Whitsunday he there made a feast, as I
+will thee tell in this book-story. There were on the weald tents
+raised, on the broad plain, nine thousand tents. All the Whitsunday
+the king on the plain lay; ordered the place to be hallowed, that
+hight Stonehenge. Full three days the king dwelt still; on the third
+day, his people he highly honoured; he made two bishops, wondrously
+good, Saint Dubriz at Kaerleon, and Saint Samson at York; both they
+became holy, and with God high. On the fourth day people separated,
+and so a time it stood in the same wise.
+
+The yet there was a wicked man, Pascent, Vortiger's son; was the same
+Pascent gone into Welsh land, and there in the same days was become
+outlaw. But he durst not long dwell there, for Aurelie and for Uther;
+but he procured good ships, and went by the sea flood, into Germany he
+proceeded, with five hundred men, and there he won much folk, and made
+a fleet, and voyaged so long that he came to this land, into the
+Humber, where he harm wrought. But he durst not long remain in the
+territory. The king marched thitherward, and Pascent fled awayward, by
+sea so long that he came to Ireland.
+
+Soon he found there the king of the land, his heart was very sore, he
+greeted the King Gillomar with God's greeting: "Hail be thou,
+Gillomar, chief of men! I am to thee come; I was Vortiger's son; my
+father was Britain's king, he loved thee through all things. And if
+thou wouldest now be my companion, as we shall agree, and my father
+well avenge, and well avenge thy folk that Uther here killed, and thy
+marvellous work, that he hence drew. And eke I heard say, where I
+voyaged in the sea, that the King Aurelie is become sick, and lieth in
+Winchester, in bed full fast. Thou mayest believe me enow, for this is
+verily sooth." Thus Pascent and Gillomar made their compact there;
+oaths they swore, many and innumerable, that they would set all this
+land in their two (joint) hands; the oaths were sworn, but eft they
+were broken! The king gathered a host wide over his land; to the sea
+they are gone, Gillomar and Pascent; into the ships they went, and
+forth let them glide. Forth they proceeded quickly, so that they came
+to Meneve, that was in that time a town exceeding fair, that men now
+truly call Saint David's. There they took haven with great bliss; the
+ships went on the strand, the knights went on the land. Then said
+Pascent—-toward Gillomar he went—-"Say me, King Gillomar, now we are
+come here; now I set to thee in hand half-part this kingdom; for there
+is from Winchester come to me a knight's son, and saith to me such
+advice, that Aurelie will be dead, the sickness is under his ribs, so
+that he may not live. Here we shall well avenge our kindred, and win
+his territories, as to us shall be best of all."
+
+To the king came the word, into Winchester, that Pascent and Gillomar
+were come here with an army. The king called Uther, who was his dear
+brother:—-"Uther, summon forces over all this land, and march to our
+enemies, and drive them from land; either thou them disperse, either
+thou them fell. And I would eke fare, if I were not so sick; but if I
+may be sound I will come after thee soon." Uther did all as the king
+said to him there. And Pascent at Saint David's wrought thereby much
+sorrow; and to the king Gillomar much sorrow he did there; Britain
+they through-ran, harried and burnt. And Uther in this land assembled
+his host, and it was long time ere he might march aright. And Pascent
+set in his own hand all West Welsh land.
+
+It was on a day, his people were blithe, there arrived Appas—-the
+fiends him conveyed! To Pascent he quoth thus: "Come hither to us. I
+will thee tell of a joyful tiding. I was at Winchester, with thine
+adversaries, where the king lieth sick, and sorrowful in heart. But
+what shall be my meed, if I thither ride, and I so gratify thee, that
+I kill him?" Then answered Pascent, and toward Appas he went: "I
+promise thee to-day a hundred pounds, for I may, if thou me so
+gratifiest, that thou kill him." Troth they plight this treachery to
+contrive. Appas went to his chamber, and this mischief meditated; he
+was a heathen man, out of Saxland come. Monk's clothes he took on, he
+shaved his crown upon; he took to him two companions, and forth he gan
+proceed, and went anon right into Winchester, as if it were a holy
+man—-the heathen devil! He went to the burgh-gate, where the king lay
+in chamber, and greeted the door-keeper with God's greeting; and bade
+him in haste go into the king, and say to him in sooth, that Uther his
+brother had sent him thither a good leech; the best leech that dwelt
+in any land, that ever any sick man out of sickness can bring. Thus he
+lied, the odious man, to the monarch, for Uther was gone forth with
+his army, nor ever him saw Uther, nor thither him sent! And the king
+weened that it were sooth, and believed him enow. Who would ween that
+he were traitor!—-for on his bare body he wore a cuirass, thereupon he
+had a loathly hair-cloth, and then a cowl of a black cloth; he had
+blackened his body, as if smutted with coal! He kneeled to the king,
+his speech was full mild: "Hail be thou, Aurelie, noblest of all
+kings! Hither me sent Uther, that is thine own brother; and I all for
+God's love am here to thee come. For I will heal, and all whole thee
+make, for Christ's love, God's son; I reck not any treasure, nor meed
+of land, nor of silver nor of gold, but to each sick person I do it
+for love of my Lord." The king heard this, it was to him most
+agreeable;—-but where is ever any man in this middle-earth, that would
+this ween, that he were traitor! He took his glass vessel anon, and
+the king urined therein; a while after that, the glass vessel in hand
+he took, and viewed it forth-right before the king's knights; and thus
+said anon Appas, the heathen man: "If ye will me believe, ere
+to-morrow eve this king shall be all whole, healed at his will." Then
+were blithe all that were in chamber. Appas went in a chamber, and the
+mischief meditated, and put thereto poison, that hight scamony, and
+came out forth-right among the chamber-knights, and to the knights he
+gan to distribute much canel, and gingiver and liquorice he gave them
+lovingly. They all took the gift, and he deceived them all. This
+traitor fell on his knees before the monarch, and thus said to him:
+"Lord, now thou shalt receive this, of this drink a part, and that
+shall be thy cure." And the king up drank, and there the poison he
+drank. Anon as he had drank, the leech laid him down. Thus said Appas
+to the chamber-knights: "Wrap now the king well, that he lie in
+sweating; for I say to you through all things, all whole shall your
+king be. And I will go to my inn, and speak with my men, and at the
+midnight I will come again forth-right, with other leechcraft, that
+shall be to him healing." Forth went--while the king lay in
+slumber--the traitor Appas to his inn, and spake with his men; and
+with stilly counsel stole from the town.
+
+At the midnight then sent the chamber-knights six of their men to
+Appas's inn; they weened to find him, and bring him to the king. Then
+was he flown, and the fiends him carried! The men came back where the
+king dwelt, and made known in the chamber of Appas's departure. Then
+might men see sorrow enow be! Knights fell down, and yearned their
+deaths; there was mickle lamentation and heart-groaning, there was
+many a piteous speech, there was yell of men! They leapt to the bed,
+and beheld the king; the yet he lay in slumber, and in great sweat.
+The knights with weeping awakened the king, and they called to him
+with mild voice: "Lord, how is it with thee? how is thy harm? For now
+is our leech departed without leave, gone out of court, and left us as
+wretches." The king gave them answer: "I am all over swollen, and
+there is no other hap, now anon I shall be dead. And I bid
+forth-right, ye who are my knights, that ye greet Uther, who is my own
+brother, and bid him hold my land in his sway. God himself through all
+things let him be a good king! And bid him be keen, and always deem
+right, as a father to the poor folk, to the destitute for comfort;
+--then may he hold the land in power. And now to-day, when I be dead,
+take ye all one counsel, and cause me to be brought right to
+Stonehenge, where lie much of my kindred, by the Saxons killed. And
+send for bishops, and book-learned men; my gold and silver distribute
+for my soul, and lay me at the east end, in Stonehenge." There was no
+other hap—there was the king dead! And all so his men did as the king
+directed. Uther was in Wales, and hereof was nothing ware, never
+through any art hereof nothing wist; nevertheless he had with him the
+prophet Merlin, he proceeded towards the army that was come to the
+land.
+
+Uther lay in Wales, in a wilderness, and prepared to march, to fight
+with Pascent. Then in the eventime, the moon gan to shine, well nigh
+all as bright as the sunlight. Then they saw afar a marvellous star;
+it was broad, it was large, it was immense! From it came gleams
+terribly shining, the star is named in Latin, comet. Came from the
+star a gleam most fierce; at this gleam's end was a dragon fair, from
+this dragon's mouth came gleams enow! But twain there were mickle,
+unlike to the others; the one drew toward France, the other toward
+Ireland. The gleam that toward France drew, it was itself bright enow;
+to Munt-Giu was seen the marvellous token! The gleam that stretched
+right west, it was disposed in seven beams. Uther saw this--but he was
+not hereof wary--sorrow was to him in heart, and strangely he was
+frightened; so was all the great folk that was in the host. Uther
+called Merlin, and bade him come to him, and thus said to him with
+very soft words: "Merlin, Merlin, dear friend, prove thyself, and say
+to us of the token that we have seen; for I wot not in the
+worlds-realm to what end it shall befall; unless thou us counsel, back
+we must ride."
+
+Merlin sate him still, a long time, as if he with dream full greatly
+laboured. They said who saw it with their own eyes, that oft he turned
+him, as if it were a worm! At length he gan to awake, then gan he to
+quake, and these words said Merlin the prophet: "Walaway! Walaway! in
+this worlds-realm, much is the sorrow that is come to the land! Where
+art thou, Uther? Set before me here, and I will say to thee of sorrows
+enow. Dead is Aurelie, noblest of kings, so is the other, Constance,
+thy brother, whom Vortiger betrayed with his treachery. Now hath
+Vortiger's kin killed Aurelie; now art thou alone of thy noble
+kindred. But hope not thou for counsel of them that he dead, but think
+of thyself--prosperity shall be given to thee;--for seldom he faileth,
+who to himself thinketh. Thou shalt become good king, and lord of men.
+And thou at the midnight weapon thy knights, that we in the
+morning-light may come forth-right, before Meneve—-there thou shalt
+fight; ere thou thence depart, slaughter thou shalt make; for thou
+shalt both slay there, Pascent and Gillomar, and many thousands of the
+men that are with them hither come. The token of the star, that we saw
+so far, sooth it is, Uther dear, that betokened thy brother's death.
+Before the star was the dragon, to each worm unlike; the token was on
+thy half, that was thou, Uther, thyself! Thou shalt have this land,
+and thy authority be great and strong. Such tokens are marvellous that
+came of the dragon's mouth, two gleams proceeded forth that were
+wondrously light. The one stretched far south, out over France--that
+signifies a powerful son, that of thy body shall come, who shall win
+many kingdoms with conflict, and in the end he shall rule many a
+nation. The other gleam that stretched west, wondrously light, that
+shall be a daughter, that to thee shall be exceeding dear. The gleams
+that gan to spread in seven fair strings, are seven fair sons, who
+shall come of thy daughter, who shall win to their own hand many a
+kingdom; they shall be well strong, on water and on land. Now thou
+hast of me heard what will thee help, quickly forth-right march to thy
+fight." And Merlin gan to slumber, as if he would sleep.
+
+Up arose Uther, now he was wise and wary, and ordered his knights
+forth-right to horse, and ordered them quickly to proceed to Meneve;
+and all their expedition (or forces) to prepare, as if they should
+fight. In the troop before he had knights well chosen; seven thousand
+knights, brave men and active. He had in the middle knights well
+beseen, other seven thousand good thanes. He had behind brave knights
+eighteen thousand, brave warriors, and of folk on foot so many
+thousands, that in no speech might any man tell them! Forth they
+marched quickly, until they came to Meneve.
+
+There saw Gillomar where Uther came to him, and commanded his knights
+to weapon them forth-right. And they very speedily grasped their
+knives, and off with their breeches--strange were their looks--and
+grasped in their hands their long spears, and hung on their shoulders
+great battle-axes. Then said Gillomar the king a thing very
+strange:--"Here cometh Uther, Aurelie's brother; he will ask my peace,
+and not fight with me. The foremost are his swains; march we against
+them; ye need never reek, though ye slay the wretches! For if Uther,
+Constantine's son, will here become my man, and give to Pascent his
+father's realm, I will him grant peace, and let him live, and in fair
+bonds lead him to my land." The king spake thus, the while worse him
+befell!
+
+Uther's knights were in the town forth-right, and laid fire in the
+town, and fought sharply; with swords rushed towards them; and the
+Irish were naked. When the Irish men saw, that the Britons were in
+conflict, they fought fiercely, and nevertheless they fell; they
+called on their king: "Where art thou, nithing! why wilt thou not come
+hither? thou lettest us here be destroyed;--and Pascent, thy comrade,
+saw us fall here;--come ye to us to help, with great strength!"
+Gillomar heard this; therefore his heart was sore; with his Irish
+knights he came to the fight, and Pascent forth with him--both they
+were fated! When Uther saw, that Gillomar was there come, to him he
+gan ride, and smote him in the side, so that the spear through
+pierced, and glided to the heart. Hastily he passed by him, and
+overtook Pascent; and said these words Uther the good: "Pascent, thou
+shalt abide; here cometh Uther riding!" He smote him upon the head, so
+that he fell down, and the sword put in his mouth—-such meat to him
+was strange--so that the point of the sword went in the earth. Then
+said Uther: "Pascent, lie now there; now thou hast Britain all won to
+thy hand! So is now hap to thee; therein thou art dead; dwell ye shall
+here, thou, and Gillomar thy companion, and possess well Britain! For
+now I deliver it to you in hand, so that ye may presently dwell with
+us here; ye need not ever dread who you shall feed!" Thus said Uther,
+and afterwards he there ran, and drove the Irish men over waters and
+over fens, and slew all the host that with Pascent came to land. Some
+to the sea fled, and leapt into their ships; with weather and with
+water there they perished! Thus they sped here, Pascent and Gillomar.
+Now was this fight done; and Uther back came, and forth-right marched
+into Winchester.
+
+In a broad way he gan meet three knights and their swains, who came
+toward him. Anon as they met him, fair they him greeted: "Hail be
+thou, Uther; these territories are thine own. Dead is Aurelie, noblest
+of kings; he hath set to thee in hand all his regal land; he bade thee
+be in prosperity, and think of his soul." Then wept Uther wondrously
+much there. Uther proceeded forth-right into Winchester; then were
+before him, without the burgh, all the burghers with piteous cries. So
+soon as they saw him, they said to him: "Uther, thy favour, now and
+evermore! Our king we have lost, woe is to us therefore. Thou wert his
+brother—-he had no other, nor he had no son, who might become king.
+But take thou the crown, it is thy right, and we will help thee, and
+hold for lord, with weapons and with goods, and with all our might."
+Uther heard this; he was wise and he was aware, that there was no
+other course, since his brother was dead. He took the crown, that came
+to him exceeding well, and he worthily became king, and held good
+laws, and loved his folk. Whilst that he was king, and chose his
+ministers, Merlin disappeared; he knew not ever whither he went, nor
+ever in the worlds-realm what became of him. Woe was the king, so was
+all his people, and all his courtiers were therefore mourning. The
+king caused men to ride wide and far; he offered gold and treasure to
+each travelling man, whosoever might find Merlin in the land thereto
+he laid mickle praise, but he heard no whit of him. Then bethought
+Uther, what Merlin said to him ere, in the expedition into Welsh land,
+where they saw the dragon, to each worm incomparable, and he thought
+of the tokens that Merlin taught him. The king was exceeding sorry,
+and sorrowful in heart, for he lost never a dearer man, since he was
+alive, never any other, not even Aurelie, his brother. The king caused
+to be worked two images, two golden dragons, all for Merlin's love--
+so greatly he desired his coming. When the dragons were ready, the one
+was his companion, wheresoever he in the land led his army, it was his
+standard, in every hap, the other he worthily gave into Winchester,
+into the bishop's see, where he stead holdeth. Thereto he gave his
+good spear, wherewith men should bear the dragon, when men should
+carry relics at processions. The Britons saw this, these dragons that
+were thus made, ever since they called Uther, who for a standard bare
+the dragon, the name they laid on him, that was Uther Pendragon;
+Pendragon in British, Dragon's-head in English.
+
+Now was Uther their good king, but of Merlin he had nothing. This word
+heard Octa, where he dwelt northward, and Ebissa his wed-brother, and
+Ossa the other, that Aurelie sent thither, and set them there in his
+peace, and gave them in hand sixty hides of land. Octa heard full
+truly all how it was transacted, of Aurehe's death, and of Uther's
+kingdom. Octa called to him his kin that was nearest, they betook them
+to counsel, of their old deeds, that they would by their life desert
+Christendom. They held husting, and became heathens, then came there
+together, of Hengest's kindred, five and sixty hundred of heathen men.
+Soon was the word reported and over the land known, that Octa,
+Hengest's son, was become heathen, and all these same men to whom
+Aurelie had granted peace. Octa sent his messengers into Welsh land,
+after the Irish that from Uther were fled, and after the Alemains
+(Germans), that away were drawn, that were gone to the wood, the while
+men slew Pascent, and hid them well everywhere, the while men slew
+Gillomar, the folk out of the wood drew, and toward Scotland
+proceeded. There came ever more and more, and proceeded toward Octa,
+when they together were all come, then were there thirty thousand,
+without the women, of Hengest's kin. They took their host, and forth
+gan to fare, and set all in their hand beyond the Humber, and the
+people, where they gan march, there was a marvellous host! And they
+proceeded right to York, and on each side the heathen people gan ride
+about the burgh, and the burgh besieged, and took it all in their
+hand, forth into Scotland, all that they saw they accounted their own.
+But Uther's knights who were in the castle, defended the town within,
+so that they might never get within, in no place heard any one, of few
+men that did so well!
+
+So soon as Uther of this thing was aware, he assembled a strong army,
+over all his kingdom, and he very speedily marched toward York,
+proceeded forth-right anon, where Octa him lay. Octa and his forces
+marched against them; encountered them together with grim strength,
+hewed hardily, helms resounded; the fields were dyed with the blood of
+the slain, and the heathen souls hell sought! When the day's end
+arrived, then was it so evilly done, that the heathen folk had the
+upper hand, and with great strength routed the Britons, and drove them
+to a mount that was exceeding strong. And Uther with his men drew to
+the mount, and had lost in the fight his dear knights, full seven
+hundred—-his hap was the worse! The mount hight Dunian, that Uther was
+upon, the mount was overgrown with a fair wood. The king was there
+within with very many men, and Octa besieged him with the heathen men
+night and day—-besieged him all about, woe was to the Britons! Woe was
+the King Uther, that he was not ere aware, that he had not in land
+better understood. Oft they went to counsel of such need, how they
+might overcome Octa, Hengest's son.
+
+There was an earl Gorlois, bold man full truly—-knight he was good, he
+was Uther's man,—-Earl of Cornwall, known he was wide—-he was a very
+wise man, in all things excellent. To him said Uther, sorry in heart:
+"Hail be thou, Gorlois, lord of men! Thou art mine own man, and very
+well I thee treat; thou art knight good, great is thy wisdom, all my
+people I put in thy counsel, and all we shall work after thy will."
+Then hung he his brows down, the King Uther Pendragon, and stood him
+full still, and bade Gorlois say his will. Then answered Gorlois, who
+was courteous full truly, "Say me, Uther Pendragon, why bowest thou
+thy head down? Knowest thou not that God alone is better than we all
+clean? He may to whomsoever he will give worship. Promise we him in
+life that we will not him deceive, and let we counsel us of our
+misdeeds. Each man forth-right take shrift of all his sins, each man
+shrive other, as if it were his brother, and every good knight take on
+him much shrift, and God we shall promise to amend our sins. And at
+the midnight prepare us to fight, these heathen hounds account us all
+here bound. Octa, Hengest's son, weeneth that we are all taken, they
+he in these fields covered in their tents, they are very weary of
+carrying their weapons, now anon they shall slumber, and afterwards
+sleep; of us they have no care, that we will march against them. At
+the midnight we shall forth-right go exceeding still, down from this
+hill, be no knight so mad, that he ask any word, nor ever any man be
+so mad, that he blow horn. But we shall step to them as if we would
+steal, ere they are aware, we shall destroy them, we shall approach to
+them, and tell them tidings. And let every brave man strongly lay on
+them, and so we shall drive the foreigners from the land, and with the
+might of our Lord, win our rights." All this host did as Gorlois had
+bid them, each man forth-right put him under shrift promised to do
+good, and Uther Pendragon foremost went down, and all his knights,
+exceeding still, and smote in the wealds, among all the tents, and
+slew the heathens with great strength, slew over the fields the yellow
+locks, of folk it was most wretched, they drew along their bowels,
+with much destruction they fell to the ground.
+
+And there was forth-right captured Octa, Hengest's son, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa, and his comrade Ossa. The king caused them to be
+bound with iron bands, and delivered them to sixty knights, who were
+good in fight, fast to hold over the weald. And he himself drove him
+forth, and made much din, and Gorlois the fair, forth on the other
+side, and all their knights ever forth-right slew downright all that
+they came nigh. Some they crept to the wood on their bare knees, and
+they were on the morrow most miserable of all folk. Octa was bound,
+and led to London, and Ebissa, and Ossa--was never to them such woe.
+
+This fight was all done, and the king forth marched into
+Northumberland with great bliss, and afterwards to Scotland, and set
+it all in his own hand. He established peace, he established quiet,
+that each man might journey with from land to land, though he bare
+gold in his hand, of peace he did such things, that no king might ever
+ere, from that time that the Britons here arrived. And then, after a
+time, he proceeded to London, he was there at Easter, with his good
+folk, blithe was the London's town, for Uther Pendragon. He sent his
+messengers over all his kingdom, he bade the earls, he bade the
+churls, he bade the bishops, and the book learned men, that they
+should come to London, to Uther the king, into London's town, to Uther
+Pendragon. Rich men soon to London came; they brought wife, they
+brought child, as Uther the king commanded. With much goodness the
+king heard mass, and Gorlois, the Earl of Cornwall, and many knights
+with him; much bliss was in the town, with King Uther Pendragon. When
+the mass was sung, to the hall they crowded, trumpets they blew,
+boards they spread, all the folk ate and drank, and bliss was among
+them.
+
+There sate Uther the king in his high chair; opposite to him Gorlois,
+fair knight full truly, the Earl of Cornwall, with his noble wife.
+When they were all seated, the earls to their meat, the king sent his
+messengers to Ygaerne the fair, Gorlois the earl's wife, woman fairest
+of all. Oft he looked on her, and glanced with his eyes, oft he sent
+his cup-bearers forth to her table, oft he laughed at her, and made
+glances to her, and she him lovingly beheld--but I know not whether
+she loved him. The king was not so wise, nor so far prudent, that
+among his folk he could his thoughts hide. So long the king this
+practised, that Gorlois became him wrath, and angered him greatly with
+the king, because of his wife. The earl and his knights arose
+forth-right, and went forth with the woman, knights most wrath. King
+Uther saw this, and herefore was sorry, and took him forth-right
+twelve wise knights, and sent after Gorlois, chieftain of men, and
+bade him come in haste to the king, and do the king good right, and
+acknowledge his fault, that he had disgraced the king, and from his
+board had departed, he, and his knights, with mickle wrong, for the
+king was cheerful with him, and for he hailed (drank health) to his
+wife. And if he would not back come, and acknowledge his guilt, the
+king would follow after him, and do all his might, take from him all
+his land, and his silver, and his gold. Gorlois heard this, lord of
+men, and he answer gave, wrathest of earls: "Nay, so help me the Lord,
+that formed the daylight, will I never back come, nor yearn his peace,
+nor shall he ever in life disgrace me of my wife! And say ye to Uther
+the king, at Tintateol he may find me, if he thither will ride, there
+will I abide him, and there he shall have hard game, and mickle
+world's shame." Forth proceeded the earl, angry in his mood, he was
+wrath with the king wondrously much, and threatened Uther the king,
+and all his thanes with him. But he knew not what should come
+subsequently, soon thereafter.
+
+The earl proceeded anon into Cornwall; he had there two castles
+inclosed most fast, the castles were good, and belonged to the race of
+his ancestors. To Tintateol he sent his mistress who was so fair,
+named Ygaerne, best of all women; and he inclosed her fast in the
+castle. Ygaerne was sorry, and sorrowful in heart, that so many men
+for her should there have destruction. The earl sent messengers over
+all Britain, and bade each brave man, that he should come to him, for
+gold and for silver, and for other good gifts, that they full soon
+should come to Tintateol, and bade his own knights to come
+forth-right. When they were together, the good thanes, then had he
+full fifteen thousand, and they fast inclosed Tintateol. Upon the
+sea-strand Tintateol standeth, it is with the sea cliffs fast
+inclosed, so that it may not be won, by no kind of man, but if hunger
+come therein under. The earl marched thence with seven thousand men,
+and proceeded to another castle, and inclosed it full fast, and left
+his wife in Tintateol, with ten thousand men. For it needed the
+knights, day or night, only to guard the castle gate, and he careless
+asleep; and the earl kept the other, and with him his own brother.
+
+Uther heard this, who was king most stark, that Gorlois, his earl, had
+gathered his forces, and would hold war, with much wrath. The king
+summoned his host over all this territory, over all the land that
+stood in his hand, people of many kind marched them together, and came
+to London to the sovereign. Out of London's town fared Uther
+Pendragon, he and his knights proceeded forth-right, so long, that
+they came into Cornwall, and over the water they passed, that Tambres
+hight, right to the castle, where they knew Gorlois to be. With much
+enmity the castle they besieged, oft they assaulted it with fierce
+strength; together they leapt, people there fell. Full seven nights
+the king with his knights besieged the castle, his men there had
+sorrow, he might not of the earl anything win, and all the se'nnight
+lasted the marvellous fight. When Uther the king saw that nothing sped
+to him, oft he bethought him what he might do, for Ygaerne was so dear
+to him, even as his own life, and Gorlois was to him in the land of
+all men most loathsome; and in each way was woe to him in this world's
+realm, because he might not have anything of his will.
+
+Then was with the king an old man exceeding well-informed; he was a
+very rich thane, and skilful in each doom, he was named Ulfin, much
+wisdom was with him. The king drew up his chin, and looked on Ulfin,
+greatly he mourned, his mood was disturbed. Then quoth Uther Pendragon
+to Ulfin the knight: "Ulfin, say me some counsel, or I shall be full
+soon dead, so much it longeth me after the fair Ygaerne, that I may
+not live. This word hold to me secret; for Ulfin the dear, thy good
+counsels, loud and still I will do them." Then answered Ulfin to the
+king who spake with him: "Now hear I a king say great marvel! Thou
+lovest Ygaerne, and holdest it so secret, the woman is to thee dear,
+and her lord all loath, his land thou consumest, and makest him
+destitute, and threatenest himself to slay, and his kin to destroy.
+Weenest thou with such harm to obtain Ygaerne? She should do then as
+no woman doth, with dread unmeet hold love sweet. But if thou lovest
+Ygaerne, thou shouldest hold it secret, and send her soon of silver
+and of gold, and love her with art, and with loving behest. The yet it
+were a doubt, whether thou mightest possess her, for Ygaerne is
+chaste, a woman most true; so was her mother, and more of the kin. In
+sooth I thee say, dearest of all kings, that otherwise thou must
+begin, if thou wilt win her. For yesterday came to me a good hermit,
+and swore by his chin, that he knew Merlin, where he each night
+resteth under heaven, and oft he spake with him, and stories him told.
+And if we might with art get Merlin, then mightest thou thy will
+wholly obtain."
+
+Then was Uther Pendragon the softer in his mood, and gave answer:
+"Ulfin, thou hast well said counsel, I give thee in hand thirty
+ploughs of land, so that thou get Merlin, and do my will." Ulfin went
+through the folk, and sought all the host, and he after a time found
+the hermit, and in haste brought him to the king. And the king set to
+him in hand seven ploughs of land, if he might find and bring Merlin
+to the king. The hermit gan wend in the west end, to a wilderness, to
+a mickle wood, where he had dwelt well many winters, and Merlin very
+oft sought him there. So soon as the hermit came in, then found he
+Merlin, standing under a tree, and sore gan for him long, he saw the
+hermit come, as whilom was his custom, he ran towards him, both they
+rejoiced for this; they embraced, they kissed, and familiarly spake.
+Then said Merlin--much wisdom was with him--"Say thou, my dear friend,
+why wouldest thou not say to me, through no kind of thing, that thou
+wouldest go to the king? But full quickly I it knew anon as I thee
+missed, that thou wert come to Uther the king, and what the king spake
+with thee, and of his land thee offered, that thou shouldest bring me
+to Uther the king. And Ulfin thee sought, and to the king brought, and
+Uther Pendragon forth-right anon, set him in hand thirty ploughs of
+land, and he set thee in hand seven ploughs of land. Uther is desirous
+after Ygaerne the fair, wondrously much, after Gorlois's wife. But so
+long as is eternity, that shall never come, that he obtain her, but
+through my stratagem, for there is no woman truer in this world's
+realm. And nevertheless he shall possess the fair Ygaerne; and he
+shall beget on her what shall widely rule, he shall beget on her a man
+exceeding marvellous. So long as is eternity, he shall never die, the
+while that this world standeth, his glory shall last, and he shall in
+Rome rule the thanes. All shall bow to him that dwelleth in Britain,
+of him shall gleemen goodly sing; of his breast noble poets shall eat;
+of his blood shall men be drunk; from his eyes shall fly fiery embers;
+each finger on his hand shall be a sharp steel brand, stone walls
+shall before him tumble; barons shall give way, and their standards
+fall! Thus he shall well long fare over all the lands, people to
+conquer, and set his laws. These are the tokens of the son, that shall
+come of Uther Pendragon and of Ygaerne. This speech is full secret,
+for yet neither it knoweth, Ygaerne nor Uther, that of Uther Pendragon
+such a son shall arise; for yet he is unbegot, that shall govern all
+the people. But, Lord," quoth Merlin, "now it is thy will, that forth
+I shall go to the host of the king; thy words I will obey, and now I
+will depart, and proceed I will for thy love to Uther Pendragon. And
+thou shalt have the land that he set thee in hand."
+
+Thus they then spake: the hermit gan to weep; dearly he him kissed;
+there they gan to separate. Merlin went right forth south, the land
+was well known to him; forth-right he proceeded to the king's host. So
+soon as Uther him saw, so he approached towards him; and thus quoth
+Uther Pendragon: "Merlin, thou art welcome! Here I set thee in hand
+all the counsel of my land, and that thou must me advise, at my great
+need." Uther told him all that he would, and how Ygaerne was to him in
+the land dearest of women, and Gorlois, her lord, most odious of all
+men.--"And unless I have thy counsel, full soon thou wilt see me
+dead." Then answered Merlin: "Let Ulfin now come in, and give him in
+hand thirty ploughs of land, and give to the hermit what thou him
+promisedest, for I will not possess any land, neither silver nor gold,
+for I am in counsel most skilful of all men, and if I wished for
+possessions, then should I become worse in craft. But all thy will
+well shall come to pass, for I know such leech-craft, that shall be to
+thee lief, so that all thy appearance shall become as the earl's; thy
+speech, thy deeds among thy people; thy horse and thy weeds
+(garments), and so shalt thou ride. When Ygaerne shall see thee, in
+mood shall it be well to her; she lieth in Tintateol, fast inclosed.
+There is no knight so well born, of no land chosen, that might with
+strength unfasten the gates of Tintateol, unless they were burst with
+hunger and with thirst. But that is the sooth that I will say to thee,
+through all things thou shalt be as if thou wert the earl, and I will
+be every bit as Britael he is, who is a knight most hardy, he is this
+earl's steward, Jurdan is his chamber-knight, he is exceeding well
+dight, I will make Ulfin anon such as Jurdan is. Then wilt thou be
+lord, and I be Britael, thy steward, and Ulfin be Jurdan, thy
+chamber-knight. And we shall go now to-night, and fare thou shalt by
+counsel, whither soever I lead thee. Now to-night shall half a hundred
+knights with spear and with shield be about thy tents, so that never
+any man alive come there near, and if ever any man come there, that
+his head be taken from him. For the knights shall say--thy good
+men--that thou art let blood, and restest thee in bed."
+
+These things were forth-right thus dight. Forth went the king, it was
+nothing known, and forth went with him Ulfin and Merlin, they
+proceeded right the way that lay into Tintateol, they came to the
+castle-gate, and called familiarly: "Undo this gate-bolt; the earl is
+come here, Gorlois the lord, and Britael his steward, and Jordan the
+chamber-knight; we have journeyed all night!" The gateward made it
+known over all, and knights ran upon the wall, and spake with Gorlois,
+and knew him full surely. The knights were most alert, and weighed up
+the castle gate, and let him come within--the less was then their
+care,--they weened certainly to have much bliss. Then had they with
+stratagem Merlin there within, and Uther the king within their
+possession, and led there with him his good thane Ulfin. These tidings
+came quickly unto the lady, that her lord was come, and with him his
+three men. Out came Ygaerne forth to the earl, and said these words
+with winsome speech: "Welcome, lord, man to me dearest; and welcome,
+Jordan, and Britael is also;--be ye in safety parted from the king?"
+Then quoth Uther full truly as if it were Gorlois: "Mickle is the
+multitude that is with Uther Pendragon, and I am all by night stolen
+from the fight, for after thee I was desirous, woman thou art to me
+dearest. Go into the chamber, and cause my bed to be made, and I will
+rest me for this night's space, and all day to-morrow, to gladden my
+people." Ygaerne went to chamber, and caused a bed to be made for him,
+the kingly bed was all overspread with a pall. The king viewed it
+well, and went to his bed; and Ygaerne lay down by Uther Pendragon,
+Now weened Ygaerne full truly, that it were Gorlois; through never any
+kind of thing knew she Uther the king. The king approached her as man
+should do to woman, and had him to do with the dearest of women; and
+he begat on her a marvellous man, keenest of all kings, that ever came
+among men, and he was on earth named Arthur. Ygaerne knew not who lay
+in her arms, for ever she weened full surely, that it were the Earl
+Gorlois.
+
+There was no greater interval but until it was daylight, there
+forth-right the knights understood, that the king was departed out of
+the host. Then said the knights, sooth though it were not, that the
+king was flown, filled with dread, but it all was leasing that they
+said of the king, they held hereof much converse upon Uther Pendragon.
+Then said the earls and the highest barons; "Now when Gorlois shall
+know it, how it is passed, that our king is departed, and has left his
+host, he will forth-right weapon his knights, and out he will to
+fight, and fell us to ground, with his furious thanes make mickle
+slaughter; then were it better for us, that we were not born. But
+cause we the trumpets to be blown, and our army to assemble; and Cador
+the brave shall bear the king's standard; heave high the Dragon before
+this people, and march to the castle, with our keen folk. And the Earl
+Aldolf shall be our chief, and we shall obey him, as if he were the
+king; and so we shall with right with Gorlois fight, and if he will
+speak with us, and yearn this king's peace, set amity with soothfast
+oath, then may we with worship go hence; then our underlings will have
+no upbraidings, that we for any timidity hence fled." All the
+nation-folk praised this same counsel. Trumpets they blew, and
+assembled their host; up they heaved the Dragon, by each standard
+unmatched; there was many a bold man, that hung shield on shoulder,
+many a keen thane, and proceeded to the castle, where Gorlois was
+within, with his keen men. He caused trumpets to be blown, and his
+host to assemble; they leapt on steed, knights gan to ride. These
+knights were exceeding active, and went out at the gate; together they
+came soon, and quickly they attacked, fell the fated men, the ground
+they sought; there was much blood shed, harm was among the folk;
+amidst the fight full certainly men slew the Earl Gorlois. Then gan
+his men to flee, and the others to pursue after, they came to the
+castle, and within they thrust. Soon it came within, both the two
+hosts; there lasted the fight throughout the daylight; ere the day
+were all gone, the castle was won; was there no swain so mean, that he
+was not a well good thane.
+
+The tidings came into Tintageol in haste, forth into the castle
+wherein Uther was, that the good earl their lord Gorlois was slain
+full truly, and all his soldiers, and his castle taken. The king heard
+this, where he lay in amorous play, and leapt out of bower, as if it
+were a lion. Then quoth the King Uther, of this tiding he was ware:
+"Be still, be still, knights in hall! Here I am full truly, your lord
+Gorlois; and Jordan, my chamberlain, and Britael, my steward. I and
+these two knights leapt out of the fight, and in hither we are
+arrived--we were not there slain. But now I will march, and assemble
+my host; and I and my knights shall all by night proceed into a town,
+and meet Uther Pendragon, and unless he speak of reconciliation, I
+will worthily avenge me! And inclose ye this castle most fast, and bid
+Ygaerne that she mourn not. Now go I forth-right, have ye all good
+night!" Merlin went before, and the thane Ulfin, and afterwards Uther
+Pendragon, out of Tintageol's town; ever they proceeded all night,
+until it was daylight.
+
+When he came to the spot where his army lay, Merlin had on the king
+set his own features through all things, then his knights knew their
+sovereign; there was many a bold Briton filled with bliss; then was in
+Britain bliss enow; horns there blew, gleemen gan chant, glad was
+every knight, all arrayed with pall! Three days was the king dwelling
+there; and on the fourth day he went to Tintaieol. He sent to the
+castle his best thanes, and greeted Ygaerne, noblest of women, and
+sent her token what they spake in bed; and ordered her that she should
+yield the castle quickly--there was no other counsel, for her lord was
+dead. Yet Ygaerne weened that it were sooth, that the dead earl had
+sought his people, and she all believed, that it were false, that the
+King Uther had ever come down. Knights went to counsel, knights went
+to communing, they resolved that they would not hold the castle any
+longer, their bridge they let down and delivered it to Uther
+Pendragon. Then stood all this kingdom eft in Uther's own hand.
+
+There Uther the king took Ygaerne for queen; Ygaerne was with child by
+Uther the king, all through Merlin's craft, before she was wedded. The
+time came that was chosen, then was Arthur born. So soon as he came on
+earth, elves took him; they enchanted the child with magic most
+strong, they gave him might to be the best of all knights; they gave
+him another thing, that he should be a rich king, they gave him the
+third, that he should live long; they gave to him the prince virtues
+most good, so that he was most generous of all men alive. This the
+elves gave him, and thus the child thrived. After Arthur, the blessed
+lady was born, she was named Anna, the blessed maiden; and afterwards
+she took (married) Loth, who possessed Leoneis (Lothian), she was in
+Leoneis lady of the people. Long lived Uther with mickle bliss here,
+with good peace, with much quiet, free in his kingdom.
+
+When that he was an old man, then came illness on him; the illness
+laid him down, sick was Uther Pendragon, so he was here sick seven
+years. Then became the Britons much emboldened, they did oft wickedly,
+all for absence of dread. The yet lay Octa, Hengest's son, bound in
+the prison of London, who was taken at York, and his comrade Ebissa,
+and his other Ossa. Twelve knights guarded them day and night, who
+were wearily oppressed with watching, in London. Octa heard say of the
+sickness of the king, and spake with the guardsmen, who should keep
+him: "Hearken to me now, knights, what I will make known to you. We
+lie here in London fast bound, and ye many a long day have watched
+over us. Better were it for us to live in Saxland, with much wealth,
+than thus miserably here lie asleep. And if ye would in all things
+accomplish this, and do my will, I would give you land, much silver
+and gold, so that ever ye might richly rule in the land, and live your
+life as to you shall be liefest of all. For ye shall never have good
+gifts of Uther, your king, for now full soon he will be dead, and his
+people all desert, then will ye have neither, the one nor the other.
+But bethink you, brave men, and give to us your compassion, and think
+what were lief to you, if ye thus lay bound, and might in your land
+live in joy." Very oft Octa spake so with these knights. The knights
+gan to commune, the knights gan to counsel, and to Octa they said full
+still: "We shall do thy will." Oaths they swore, that they would not
+deceive. It was on a night that the wind went right; forth went the
+knights at the midnight, and led forth Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa,
+along the Thames they proceeded forth into the sea; forth they passed
+into Saxland. Their kindred came towards them with great flocks
+(forces); they marched over all the land, as to them was liefest, men
+gave them gifts and land; men gave them silver and gold Octa bethought
+him what he might do; he thought to come hither, and avenge his
+father's wounds. They procured a host of innumerable folk, to the sea
+they proceeded with great threats, they came to Scotland; soon they
+pushed on land, and greeted it with fire; the Saxons were cruel, the
+Scots they slew; with fire they down laid thirty hundred towns; the
+Scots they slew, many and innumerable.
+
+The tidings came to Uther the king. Uther was exceeding woe, and
+wonderfully grieved, and sent in to Loeneis, to his dear friends, and
+greeted Loth, his son-in-law, and bade him be in health, and ordered
+him to take in his own hand all his royal land; knights and freemen,
+and freely hold them, and lead them in a host, as the laws are in the
+land. And he ordered his dear knights to be obedient to Loth, with
+loving looks, as if he were sovereign. For Loth was very good knight,
+and had held many fight, and he was liberal to every man, he delivered
+to him the government of all this land. Octa held much war, and Loth
+often fought with him, and oft he gained possessions, and oft he them
+lost. The Britons had mickle mood, and immoderate pride, and were void
+of dread, on account of the king's age; and looked very contemptuously
+on Loth the earl, and did very evilly all his commands, and were all
+two counsels--their care was the more! This was soon said to the sick
+king, that his high men Loth all despised.
+
+Now will I tell thee, in this history, how Uther the king disposed
+himself. He said that he would go to his host, and see with his eyes
+who would there do well. He caused there to be made a good
+horse-litter, and caused an army to be assembled over all his kingdom;
+that each man by (on pain of) his life should come to him quickly, by
+their lives and by their limbs, to avenge the king's shame.--"And if
+there is any man, who will not come hastily, I will speedily destroy
+him, either slay either hang." All full soon to the court (or to the
+army) they came, durst there none remain, nor the fat nor the lean.
+The king forth-right took all his knights, and marched him anon to the
+town of Verulam; about Verolam's town came him Uther Pendragon; Octa
+was within with all his men. Then was Verulam a most royal town, Saint
+Alban was there slain, and deprived of life-day; the burgh was
+subsequently destroyed, and much folk there was slain. Uther lay
+without, and Octa within. Uther's army advanced to the wall, the
+powerful thanes fiercely assaulted it, they might not of the wall one
+stone detach, nor with any strength the wall injure.
+
+Well blithe was then Hengest's son Octa, when he saw the Britons
+recede from the walls, and go sorrowful again to their tents. Then
+said Octa to his comrade Ebissa: "Here is come to Verulam Uther, the
+lame man, and will with us here fight in his litter; he weened with
+his crutch to thrust us down! But to-morrow when it is day, the people
+shall arise, and open our castle-gate, and this realm we shall all
+win; shall we never lie here for one lame man! Out we shall ride upon
+our good steeds, and advance to Uther, and fell his folk; for all they
+are fated (shall die) that hither are ridden; and take the lame man,
+and lay in our bonds, and hold the wretch until that he dies; and so
+men shall leach his limbs that are sore, and heal his bones with
+bitter steel!" Thus spake him Octa with his comrade Ebissa; but all it
+happened otherwise than they weened. On the morrow when it dawned,
+they unfastened the doors; up arose Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa, and
+ordered their knights to prepare them for fight, to undo their broad
+gates, and unfasten the burgh. Octa rode him out, and much folk
+followed after him; with his bold warriors there he bale found! Uther
+saw him this, that Octa approached to them, and thought to fell his
+host to the ground.
+
+Then called Uther with quick voice there: "Where be ye, Britons, my
+bold thanes? Now is come that day, that the Lord may help us;--that
+Octa shall find, in that he threatened me to bind. Think of your
+ancestors, how good they were in fight; think of the worship that I
+have to you well given; nor let ye ever this heathen enjoy your homes,
+or these same raging hounds possess your lands. And I will pray to the
+Lord who formed the daylight, and to all the hallows, that sit high in
+heaven, that I on this field may be succoured. Now march quickly to
+them,--may the Lord aid you, may the all-ruling God protect my
+thanes!" Knights gan to ride, spears gan to glide, and broad spears
+brake, shivered shields--helms there were severed, men fell! The
+Britons were bold, and busy in fight, and the heathen hounds fell to
+the ground. There was slain Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa; there seventeen
+thousand sunk into hell; and many there escaped toward the north end.
+And all the daylight Uther's knights slew and captured all that they
+came nigh; when it was even, then was it all won. Then sung the
+soldiers with great strength, and said these words in their merry
+songs: "Here is Uther Pendragon come to Verulam's town; and he hath so
+beaten Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa, and given them in the land laws
+most strong, so that men may tell their kin in story, and thereof make
+songs in Saxland!" Then was Uther blithe, and exceeding glad, and
+spake with his people, that was dear to him in heart, and these words
+said Uther the old: "Saxish men have accounted me for base; my
+sickness they twitted me with their scornful words, because I was led
+here in a horse-litter; and said that I was dead, and my folk asleep.
+And now is much wonder come to this realm, that now this dead king
+hath killed these quick; and some he hath them driven forth with the
+weather! Now hereafter be done the Lord's will!"
+
+The Saxish men fled exceeding fast, that had aside retreated from the
+fight; forth they gan proceed into Scotland, and took to them for king
+Colgrim the fair. He was Hengest's relation, and dearest of men to
+him; and Octa loved him, the while that he lived. The Saxish men were
+greatly discouraged, and proceeded them together into Scotland; and
+they made Colgrim the fair for king, and assembled a host, wide over
+the land, and said that they would with their wicked craft in
+Winchester town kill Uther Pendragon. Alas, that it should so happen!
+Now said the Saxish men in their communing together: "Take we six
+knights, wise men and active, and skilful spies, and send we to the
+court, in almsman's guise, and dwell in the court, with the high king,
+and every day pass through all the people; and go to the king's dole,
+as if they were infirm, and among the poor people hearken studiously
+if man might with craft, by day or by night, in Winchester's town come
+to Uther Pendragon, and kill the king with murder;"--then were (would
+be) their will wholly accomplished, then were they careless of
+Constanine's kin. Now went forth the knights all by daylight, in
+almsman's clothes--knights most wicked--to the king's court--there
+they harm wrought. They went to the dole, as if they were infirm, and
+hearkened studiously of the king's sickness, how men might put the
+king to death. Then met they with a knight, from the king he came
+forth-right; he was Uther's relation, and dearest of men to him. These
+deceivers, where they sate along the street, called to the knight with
+familiar words: "Lord, we are wretched men in this world's realm;
+whilom we were in land accounted for good men, until Saxish men set us
+adown, and bereaved us of all, and our possessions took from us. Now
+we sing beads (prayers) for Uther the king; each day in a meal our
+meat faileth; cometh never in our dish neither flesh nor any fish, nor
+any kind of drink but a draught of water, but water clean--therefore
+we are thus lean."
+
+The knight heard this; back he went forth-right, and came to the king,
+where he lay in chamber, and said to the king: "Lord, be thou in
+health! Here out sit six men, alike in hue, all they are companions,
+and clothed with hard hair-cloth. Whilom they were in this world's
+realm goodly thanes, and filled with goods; now have Saxish men set
+them to ground, so that they are in the world accounted for wretches,
+they have not at board but bread alone, nor for their drink but water
+draughts. Thus they lead their life in thy people, and bid their
+beads, that God will let thee long live." Then quoth Uther the king:
+"Let them come in hither, I will them clothe, and I will them feed,
+for the love of my Lord, the while that I live." The treacherous men
+came into the chamber, the king caused them to be fed, the king caused
+them to be clothed, and at night each laid them on his bed. And each
+on his part aspied earnestly how they might kill the king with murder,
+but they might not through anything kill Uther the king, nor through
+any craft might come to him.
+
+Then happened it on a time, the rain it gan to pour; then called there
+a leech, where he lay in the chamber, to a chamber-knight, and ordered
+him forth-right to run to the well, that was near the hall, and set
+there a good swam, to keep it from the rain.--"For the king may not
+enjoy no draught in the world but the cold well stream, that is to him
+pleasant; that is for his sickness best of all draughts." This speech
+forth-right heard these six knights--to harm they were prompt--and
+went out by night forth to the well--there they harm wrought. Out they
+drew soon fair phials, filled with poison, of all liquids bitterest;
+six phials full they poured in the well; then was the well anon with
+poison infected. Then were full blithe the traitors in their life, and
+forth they went; they durst not there remain. Then came there
+forth-right two chamber-knights; they bare in their hands two bowls of
+gold. They came to the well, and filled their bowls; back they gan
+wend to Uther the king, forth into the chamber, where he lay in
+bed.--"Hail be thou, Uther! Now we are come here, and we have brought
+thee, what thou ere bade, cold well water; receive it with joy." Up
+arose the sick king, and sate on his bed; of the water he drank, and
+soon he gan to sweat; his heart gan to weaken, his face began to
+blacken, his belly gan to swell, the king gan to burst. There was no
+other hap, but there was Uther the king dead; and all they were dead,
+who drank of the water.
+
+When the attendants saw the calamity of the king, and of the king's
+men, who with poison were destroyed, then went to the well knights
+that were active, and destroyed the well with painful labour, with
+earth and with stones made a steep hill. Then the people took the dead
+king--numerous folk--and forth him carried the stiff-minded men into
+Stonehenge, and there buried him, by his dear brother; side by side
+there they lie both.
+
+Then came it all together, that was highest in the land, earls and
+barons, and book-learned men; they came to London, to a mickle
+husting, and the rich thanes betook them all to counsel, that they
+would send messengers over sea into Britanny, after the best of all
+youth that was in the worlds-realm in those days, named Arthur the
+strong, the best of all knights; and say that he should come soon to
+his kingdom; for dead was he Uther Pendragon, as Aurelie was ere, and
+Uther Pendragon had no other son, that might after his days hold by
+law the Britons, maintain with worship, and rule this kingdom. For yet
+were in this land the Saxons settled; Colgrim the keen, and many
+thousands of his companions, that oft made to our Britons evil
+injuries. The Britons full soon took three bishops, and seven riders,
+strong in wisdom; forth they gan proceed into Britanny, and they full
+soon came to Arthur.--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of knights! Uther
+thee greeted, when he should depart, and bade that thou shouldest
+thyself in Britain hold right laws, and help thy folk, and defend this
+kingdom, as good king should do, defeat thy enemies, and drive them
+from land. And he prayed the mild Son of God to be to thee now in aid,
+that thou mightest do well, and the land receive from God. For dead is
+Uther Pendragon, and thou art Arthur, his son; and dead is the other,
+Aurelie his brother." Thus they gan tell, and Arthur sate full still;
+one while he was wan, and in hue exceeding pale; one while he was red,
+and was moved in heart. When it all brake forth, it was good that he
+spake; and thus said he there right, Arthur the noble knight: "Lord
+Christ, God's Son, be to us now in aid, that I may in life hold God's
+laws!"
+
+Arthur was fifteen years old, when this tiding was told to him, and
+all they were well employed, for he was much instructed. Arthur
+forth-right called his knights, and bade every man get ready his
+weapons, and saddle their horses very speedily, for he would go to
+this Britain. To the sea proceeded the good thanes, at Michael's
+mount, with a mickle host, the sea set them on the strand, at
+Southampton they came ashore. Forth he gan ride, Arthur the powerful,
+right to Silchester; there it seemed good to him; there was the host
+of Britons boldly assembled. Great was the bliss when Arthur came to
+the burgh; then was blast of trumpets, and men most glad; there they
+raised to be king Arthur the young.
+
+When Arthur was king--hearken now a marvellous thing;--he was liberal
+to each man alive, knight with the best, wondrously keen! He was to
+the young for father, to the old for comforter, and with the unwise
+wonderfully stern, wrong was to him exceeding loathsome, and the right
+ever dear. Each of his cupbearers, and of his chamber-thanes, and his
+chamber-knights, bare gold in hand, to back and to bed, clad with gold
+web. He had never any cook, that he was not champion most good; never
+any knight's swam, that he was not bold thane! The king held all his
+folk together with great bliss, and with such things he overcame all
+kings, with fierce strength and with treasure. Such were his
+qualities, that all folk it knew. Now was Arthur good king, his people
+loved him, eke it was known wide, of his kingdom.
+
+The king held in London a mickle husting; thereto were arrived all his
+knights, rich men and poor, to honour the king. When that it was all
+come, a numerous folk, up arose Arthur noblest of kings, and caused to
+be brought before him reliques well choice, and thereto the king gan
+soon to kneel thrice,--his people knew not what he would pronounce.
+Arthur held up his right hand, an oath he there swore, that never by
+his life, for no man's lore, should the Saxons become blithe in
+Britain, nor be landholders, nor enjoy worship, but he would drive
+them out, for they were at enmity with him. For they slew Uther
+Pendragon, who was son of Constance, so they did the other, Aurelie,
+his brother, therefore they were in land loathest of all folk. Arthur
+forth-right took his wise knights, were it lief to them were it loath
+to them, they all swore the same oath, that they would truly hold with
+Arthur, and avenge the King Uther, whom the Saxons killed here. Arthur
+sent his writs wide over his land, after all the knights that he might
+obtain, that they full soon should come to the king, and he would in
+land lovingly maintain them; reward them with land, with silver and
+with gold. Forth went the king with a numerous host, he led a
+surprising multitude, and marched right to York. There he lay one
+night, on the morrow he proceeded forth-right where he knew Colgrim to
+be, and his comrades with him.
+
+Since Octa was slam, and deprived of life-day, who was Hengest's son,
+out of Saxland come, Colgrim was the noblest man that came out of
+Saxland, after Hengest, and Hors, his brother, and Octa, and Ossa, and
+their companion Ebissa. At that day Colgrim ruled the Saxons by
+authority, led and counselled, with fierce strength; mickle was the
+multitude that marched with Colgrim! Colgrim heard tiding of Arthur
+the king, that he came toward him, and would do to him evil. Colgrim
+bethought him what he might do, and assembled his host over all the
+North land. There came together all the Scottish people, Peohtes and
+Saxons joined them together, and men of many kind followed Colgrim.
+Forth he gan to march with an immense force, against Arthur, noblest
+of kings, he thought to kill the king in his land, and fell his folk
+to the ground, and set all this kingdom in his own hand, and fell to
+the ground Arthur the young. Forth marched Colgrim, and his army with
+him, and proceeded with his host until he came to a water, the water
+is named Duglas, people it destroyed!
+
+There came Arthur against him, ready with his fight; on a broad ford
+the hosts them met, vigorously their brave champions attacked, the
+fated fell to the ground! There was much blood shed, and woe there was
+rife, shivered shafts, men there fell! Arthur saw that, in mood he was
+uneasy, Arthur bethought him what he might do, and drew him backward
+on a broad field. When his foes weened that he would fly, then was
+Colgrim glad, and all his host with him, they weened that Arthur had
+with fear retreated there, and passed over the water, as if they were
+mad. When Arthur saw that, that Colgrim was so nigh to him, and they
+were both beside the water, thus said Arthur, noblest of kings: "See
+ye not, my Britons, here beside us, our full foes--Christ destroy
+them!--Colgrim the strong, out of Saxland? His kin in this land killed
+our ancestors, but now is the day come, that the Lord hath appointed,
+that he shall lose the life, and lose his friends, or else we shall be
+dead, we may not see him alive! The Saxish men shall abide sorrow, and
+we avenge worthily our friends." Up caught Arthur his shield, before
+his breast, and he gan to rush as the howling wolf, when he cometh
+from the wood, behung with snow, and thinketh to bite such beasts as
+he liketh. Arthur then called to his dear knights: "Advance we
+quickly, brave thanes! all together towards them; we all shall do
+well, and they forth fly, as the high wood, when the furious wind
+heaveth it with strength!" Flew over the wealds thirty thousand
+shields, and smote on Colgrim's knights, so that the earth shook
+again. Brake the broad spears, shivered shields; the Saxish men fell
+to the ground! Colgrim saw that, therefore he was woe--the fairest man
+of all that came out of Saxland. Colgrim gan to flee, exceeding
+quickly; and his horse bare him with great strength over the deep
+water, and saved him from death. The Saxons gan to sink--sorrow was
+given to them! Arthur hastened speedily to the water, and turned his
+spear's point, and hindered to them the ford; there the Saxons were
+drowned, full seven thousand. Some they gan wander, as the wild crane
+doth in the moorfen, when his flight is impaired, and swift hawks
+pursue after him, and hounds with mischief meet him in the reeds; then
+is neither good to him, nor the land nor the flood, the hawks him
+smite, the hounds him bite, then is the royal fowl at his death-time!
+Colgrim fled him over the fields quickly, until he came to York,
+riding most marvellously; he went into the burgh, and fast it
+inclosed; he had within ten thousand men, burghers with the best; that
+were beside him. Arthur pursued after him with thirty thousand
+knights, and marched right to York with folk very numerous, and
+besieged Colgrim at York, who defended it against him.
+
+Seven nights therebefore Baldolf the fair, Colgrim's brother, was gone
+southward, and lay by the sea-side, and abode Childric. Childric was
+in those days a kaiser of powerful authority; the land in Alemaine was
+his own. When Baldolf heard, where he lay by the sea, that Arthur had
+inclosed Colgrim in York, Baldolf had assembled seven thousand men,
+bold fellows, who by the sea lay; they took them to counsel, that back
+they would ride, and leave Childric, and proceed into York, and fight
+with Arthur, and destroy all his people. Baldolf swore in his anger,
+that he would be Arthur's bane, and possess all this realm, with
+Colgrim his brother. Baldolf would not wait for the kaiser Childric,
+but thence he marched forth, and drew him forth right north, from day
+to day, with his bold folk, until he came into a wood, into a
+wilderness, full seven miles from Arthur's host. He had thought by
+night with seven thousand knights to ride upon Arthur, and fell his
+folk, and himself kill.
+
+But all it otherwise happened, other than he weened; for Baldolf had
+in his host a British knight; he was Arthur's relative, named Maurin.
+Maurin went aside to the wood, through woods and through fields, until
+he came to Arthur's tents; and thus said soon to Arthur the king:
+"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings! I am hither come; I am of thy
+kindred. Here is Baldolf arrived with warriors most hardy, and
+thinketh in this night to slay thee and thy knights, to avenge his
+brother, who is greatly discouraged, but God shall prevent him,
+through his mickle might, And send now forth Cador, the Earl of
+Cornwall, and with him bold knights, good and brave, full seven
+hundred good thanes; and I will counsel them, and I will lead them,
+how they may Baldolf slay as if a wolf." Forth went Cador and all
+these knights, so that they came aside where Baldolf lay in tents,
+they advanced to him on each side; they slew, they captured all that
+they came nigh;--there were killed nine hundred all out told.
+
+Baldolf was gone aside to save himself, and fled through the
+wilderness, wondrously fast; and had his dear men with sorrow
+deserted, and fled him so far north, that he came so forth, where
+Arthur lay on the weald, with his powerful host, all about York--king
+most surprising! Colgrim was within with the Saxish men, and Baldulf
+bethought him what he might do; with what kind of stratagem he might
+come within, into the burgh, to Colgrim his brother, who was to him
+the dearest of all men alive. Baldulf caused to be shaved to the bare
+skin his beard and his chin, and made him as a fool; he caused half
+his head to be shorn, and took him in hand a long harp. He could harp
+exceeding well in his childhood; and with his harp he went to the
+king's host, and gan there to play, and much game to make. Oft men him
+smote with wands most smart; oft men him struck as men do fool; each
+man that met him, greeted him with derision; so never any man knew of
+Baldulf's appearance, but that it were a fool come to the folk! So
+long he went upward, so long he went downward, that they were aware,
+who were there within, that it was Baldulf without, Colgrim's brother.
+They cast out a rope, and Baldulf grasped it fast, and they drew up
+Baldulf, so that he came within, with such kind of stratagem Baldulf
+came within. Then was Colgrim blithe, and all his knights with him,
+and greatly they gan to threaten Arthur the king. Arthur was beside,
+and saw this game, and wrathed himself wondrously much; and ordered
+anon all his brave folk to weapon them; he thought to win the burgh
+with strength.
+
+As Arthur was about to assault the wall, then came there riding
+Patrick, the rich man, who was a Scottish thane, fair in his land; and
+thus began to call to the king anon: "Hail be thou, Arthur the king,
+noblest of Britons! I will tell thee new tiding, of the kaiser
+Childric, the furious and the powerful, the strong and the bold. He is
+in Scotland arrived in a haven, and the homes consumeth, and wieldeth
+all our land in his own hand. He hath a host brave, all the strength
+of Rome; he saith with his boast, when men pour to him the wine, that
+thou darest not in any spot his attacks abide, neither in field, nor
+in wood, nor in ever any place. And if thou him abidest, he will thee
+bind; destroy thy people, and possess thy land."
+
+Oft was Arthur woe, but never worse than then; and he drew him
+backward, beside the burgh; called to counsel knights at need, barons
+and earls, and the holy bishops; and bade that they should him
+counsel, how he might in the realm with his army his honour maintain,
+and fight with Childric, the strong and the powerful, who hither would
+come, to help Colgrim. Then answered the Britons, that were there
+beside: "Go we right to London, and let him come after; and if he
+cometh riding, sorrow he shall abide; he himself and his host shall
+die!" Arthur approved all that his people counselled; forth he gan
+march until he came to London.
+
+Colgrim was in York, and there he abode Childric. Childric gan proceed
+over the North end, and took in his hand a great deal of land. All
+Scotland he gave to a thane of his, and all Northumberland he set in
+the hand of his brother; Galloway and Orkney he gave to an earl of
+his; himself he took the land from Humber into London. He thought
+never more of Arthur to have mercy, unless he would become his man,
+Arthur, Uther's son.
+
+Arthur was in London, with all the Britons; he summoned his forces
+over all this land, that every man, that good would grant to him,
+quickly and full soon to London should come. Then was England filled
+with harm; here was weeping and here was lament, and sorrow
+immoderate; mickle hunger and strife at every man's gate! Arthur sent
+over sea two good knights, to Howel his relation, who was to him
+dearest of men, who possessed Britanny, knight with the best; and bade
+him full soon, that he hither should come, sail to land, to help the
+people; for Childric had in hand much of this land, and Colgrim and
+Baldulf were come to him, and thought to drive Arthur the king out of
+the land; take from him his right, and his kingdom;—-then were his
+kindred disgraced with shameful injury; their worship lost in this
+worlds-realm: then were it better for the king, that he were not born!
+Howel heard this, the highest of Britanny; and he gan to call his good
+knights anon, and bade them to horse exceeding speedily, and go into
+France, to the free knights, and should say to them that they should
+come, quickly and full soon, to Michael's Mount, with mickle strength,
+all who would of silver and of gold, win worship in this worlds-realm.
+To Poitou he sent his good thanes; and some toward Flanders, exceeding
+quickly; and to Touraine, two there proceeded, and into Gascony,
+knights eke good, and ordered them to come with strength toward
+Michael's Mount; and ere they went to flood (embarked), they should
+have gifts good, that they might the blither depart from their land,
+and with Howel the fair come to this land, to help Arthur, noblest of
+kings. Thirteen days were passed since the messengers came there, then
+advanced they toward the sea, as the hail doth from the welkin; and
+two hundred ships were there well prepared, men filled them with folk,
+and forth they voyaged; the wind and the weather stood after their
+will; and they came to land at Hamtone. Up leapt from the ships the
+furious men; bare to the land helms and burnies; with spears and with
+shields they covered all the fields. There was many a bold Briton that
+threat had raised, they threatened greatly, by their quick life, that
+they would greet Childric the powerful, the bold kaiser, with much
+harm there. And if he would not flee away, and toward Alemaine
+proceed, and if he would in the land with fight resist; with his bold
+people the barks abide; here they should leave what to them were
+dearest of all, their heads and hands, and their white helms; "and so
+they shall in this land lose their friends, and fall into hell—the
+heathen hounds'"
+
+Arthur was in London, noblest of kings, and heard say sooth relation,
+that Howel the strong was come to land, forth-right to Hamtone, with
+thirty thousand knights, and with innumerable folk, that followed the
+king; Arthur towards him marched, with great bliss; with a mickle
+host, towards his relation. Together they came--bliss was among the
+folk--and they kissed and embraced, and spake familiarly; and anon
+forthright assembled their knights. Then were there together two good
+armies, of whom Howel should command thirty thousand knights, and
+Arthur had in land forty thousand in hand. Forth-right they marched
+toward the North end, toward Lincoln night and day, that Childric the
+kaiser besieged. But he the yet had nought won; for there were within
+seven thousand men, brave men and active, by day and night.
+
+Arthur with his forces marched toward the burgh; and Arthur
+fore-ordered his knights, by day and night, that they should proceed
+as still, as if they would steal; pass over the country, and cease any
+noise; horns and trumpets, all should be relinquished. Arthur took a
+knight, that was a brave man and active; and sent him to Lincoln to
+his dear men, and he said to them in sooth, with mouth, that Arthur
+would come, noblest of kings, at the midnight, and with him many a
+good knight.--"And ye within, then be ye ware, that when ye hear the
+din, that ye the gates unfasten; and sally out of the burgh, and fell
+your foes; and smite on Childric, the strong and the powerful; and we
+shall tell them British tales!"
+
+It was at the midnight, when the moon shone right south, Arthur with
+his host marched to the burgh; the folk was as still as if they would
+steal; forth they proceeded until they saw Lincoln. Thus gan he call,
+Arthur the keen man: "Where be ye, my knights, my dear-worthy
+warriors? See ye the tents, where Childric lieth on the fields;
+Colgrim and Baldulf, with bold strength; the Alemainish folk, that us
+hath harmed, and the Saxish folk, that sorrow to us promiseth; that
+all hath killed the highest of my kin; Constance and Constantine, and
+Uther, who was my father, and Aurelie Ambrosie, who was my father's
+brother, and many thousand men of my noble kindred? Go we out to them,
+and lay to the ground, and worthily avenge our kin and their realm;
+and all together forth-right now ride every good knight!" Then Arthur
+gan to ride, and the army gan to move, as if all the earth would be
+consumed; and smote in the fields among Childric's tents. That was the
+first man, that there gan to shout—-Arthur the noble man, who was
+Uther's son—-keenly and loud, as becometh a king: "Now aid us, Mary,
+God's mild mother! And I pray her son, that he be to us in succour!"
+Even with the words they turned their spears; pierced and slew all
+that they came nigh. And the knights out of the burgh marched against
+them (the enemy); if they fled to the burgh, there they were
+destroyed; if they fled to the wood, there they slaughtered them; come
+wherever they might come, ever they them slew. It is not in any book
+indited, that ever any fight were in this Britain, that mischief was
+so rife; for folk it was most miserable, that ever came to the land!
+There was mickle blood-shed, mischief was among the folk; death there
+was rife; the earth there became dun!
+
+Childric the kaiser had a castle here, in Lincoln's field, where he
+lay within, that was newly wrought, and exceeding well guarded; and
+there were with him Baldulf and Colgrim, and saw that their folk
+suffered death. And they anon forth-right, on with their burnies, and
+fled out of the castle, of courage bereft; and fled forth-right anon
+to the wood of Calidon. They had for companions seven hundred riders;
+and they left forty thousand slain, and deprived of life-day, felled
+to the ground; Alemainish men, with mischief destroyed, and the Saxish
+men, brought to the ground! Then saw Arthur, noblest of kings, that
+Childric was flown, and into Calidon gone, and Colgrim and Baldulf
+with him were gone into the high wood, into the high holm. And Arthur
+pursued after with sixty thousand knights of British people; the wood
+he all surrounded; and on one side they it felled, full seven miles,
+one tree upon another, truly fast; on the other side he surrounded it
+with his army, three days and three nights;—-that was to them mickle
+harm.
+
+Then saw Colgrim, as he lay therein, that there was without meat sharp
+hunger, and strife; nor they nor their horses help had any. And thus
+called Colgrim to the kaiser: "Say me, Lord Childric, sooth words; for
+what kind of thing lie we thus herein? Why should we not go out, and
+assemble our host, and begin fight with Arthur and with his knights?
+For better it is for us on land with honour to lie, than that we thus
+here perish for hunger; it grieveth us sore, to the destruction of the
+folk. Either send we again and again, and yearn Arthur's peace, and
+pray thus his mercy, and hostages deliver him, and make friendship
+with the free king." Childric heard this, where he lay within the
+dyke, and he answered with sorrowful voice: "If Baldulf it will, who
+is thine own brother, and more of our comrades, who with us are here,
+that we pray Arthur's peace, and make amity with him, after your will
+I will do it. For Arthur is esteemed very noble man in land; dear to
+all his men, and of royal kindred, all come of kings; he was Uther's
+son. And oft it befalleth, in many kind of land, where the good
+knights come to stern fight, that they who first gain, afterwards they
+it lose. And thus to us now is befallen here, and eft to us better
+will happen, if we may live." Soon forth-right answered all the
+knights: "We all praise this counsel, for thou hast well said!"
+
+They took twelve knights, and sent forth-right, where he was in tent,
+by the wood's end; and the one called anon with quick voice: "Lord
+Arthur, thy peace! We would speak with thee; hither the kaiser sent
+us, who is named Childric, and Colgrim and Baldulf, both together. Now
+and evermore they pray thy mercy; thy men they will become, and thy
+honour advance, and they will give to thee hostages enow, and hold
+thee for lord, as to thee shall be liefest of all, if they may depart
+hence with life into their land; and bring evil tidings. For here we
+have found sorrows of many kind; at Lincoln left our dear relatives;
+sixty thousand men, that there are slain. And if it were to thee will
+in heart, that we might pass over sea with sail, we would nevermore
+eft come here; for here we have lost our dear relatives. So long as is
+ever, here come we back never!" Then laughed Arthur, with loud
+voice:—-"Thanked be the Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that Childric
+the strong is tired of my land! My land he hath divided to all his
+knights; myself he thought to drive out of my country; hold me for
+base, and have my realm, and my kin all put to death, my folk all
+destroy. But of him it is happened, as it is of the fox, when he is
+boldest over the weald, and hath his full play, and fowls enow; for
+wildness he climbeth, and rocks he seeketh; in the wilderness holes to
+him worketh. Fare whosoever shall fare, he hath never any care; he
+weeneth to be of power the boldest of all animals. But when come to
+him the men under the hills, with horns, with hounds, with loud cries;
+the hunters there hollow, the hounds there give tongue, they drive the
+fox over dales and over downs, he fleeth to the holm, and seeketh his
+hole; in the furthest end in the hole he goeth; then is the bold fox
+of bliss all deprived, and men dig to him on each side; then is there
+most wretched the proudest of all animals! So was it with Childric,
+the strong and the rich; he thought all my kingdom to set in his own
+hand, but now I have driven him to the bare death, whether so
+(whatsoever) I will do, either slay or hang. Now will I give him
+peace, and let him speak with me; I will not him slay, nor hang, but
+his prayer I will receive. Hostages I will have of the highest of his
+men; their horses and weapons, ere they hence depart; and so they
+shall as wretches go to their ships; sail over sea to their good land,
+and there worthily dwell in their realm, and tell tidings of Arthur
+the king, how I them have freed, for my father's soul, and for my
+freedom solaced the wretches." Hereby was Arthur the king of honour
+deprived, was there no man so bold that durst him advise;--that
+repented him sore, soon thereafter!
+
+Childric came from covert to Arthur the king; and he there became his
+man, with all his knights. Four-and-twenty hostages Childric there
+delivered, all they were chosen, and noble men born; they delivered
+their horses, and their burnies, spears and shields, and their long
+swords; all they relinquished that they there had. Forth they gan to
+march until they came to the sea, where their good ships by the sea
+stood. The wind stood at will, the weather most favourable, and they
+shoved from the strand ships great and long; the land they all left,
+and floated with the waves, that no sight of land they might see. The
+water was still, after their will; they let together their sails
+glide, board against board, the men there discoursed and said that
+they would return eft to this land, and avenge worthily their
+relatives, and waste Arthur's land, and kill his folk, and win the
+castles, and work their pleasure.
+
+So they voyaged on the sea even so long, that they came between
+England and Normandy; they veered their luffs, and came toward land,
+so that they came full surely to Dartmouth at Totnes; with much bliss
+they approached to the land. So soon as they came on land, the folk
+they slew; the churls they drove off, that tilled the earth there; the
+knights they hung, that defended the land, all the good wives they
+sticked with knives; all the maidens they killed with murder; and all
+the learned men (clerics) they laid on embers. All the domestics (or
+baser sort) they killed with clubs; they felled the castles, the land
+they ravaged; the churches they consumed--grief was among the
+folk!--the sucking children they drowned in the water. The cattle that
+they took, all they slaughtered; to their inns they carried it, and
+boiled it and roasted; all they it took, that they came nigh. All day
+they sung of Arthur the king, and said that they had won homes, that
+they should hold in their power; and there they would dwell winter and
+summer. And if Arthur were so keen, that he would come to fight with
+Childric, the strong and the rich, they would of his back make a
+bridge, and take all the bones of the noble king, and tie them
+together with golden ties, and lay them in the hall door, where each
+man should go forth, to the worship of Childric, the strong and the
+rich! This was all their game, for Arthur the king's shame; but all it
+happened in otherwise, soon thereafter; their boast and their game
+befell to themselves to shame; and so doth well everywhere the man
+that so acteth.
+
+Childric the kaiser won all that he looked on with eyes; he took
+Somerset, and he took Dorset, and in Devonshire the folk all
+destroyed, and Wiltshire with hostility he greeted, he took all the
+lands unto the sea strand. Then at the last, then caused he horns and
+trumpets to be blown, and his host to be assembled, and forth he would
+march, and Bath all besiege, and eke Bristol about berow. This was
+their threat, ere they to Bath came. To Bath came the kaiser, and
+belay the castle there; and the men within bravely began; they mounted
+upon the stone walls, well weaponed over all, and defended the place
+against Childric the strong. There lay the kaiser, and Colgrim his
+companion, and Baldulf his brother, and many another.
+
+Arthur was by the North, and knew nought hereof; he proceeded over all
+Scotland, and set it in his own hand; Orkney and Galloway, Man and
+Moray, and all the lands that lay thereto. Arthur it weened to be
+certain thing, that Childric had departed to his own land, and that he
+never more would come here. When the tidings came to Arthur the king,
+that Childric the kaiser was come to land, and in the South end sorrow
+there wrought, then said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Alas! alas! that I
+spared my foe! that I had not with hunger destroyed him in the wood,
+or with sword cut him all to pieces! Now he yields to me meed for my
+good deeds. But so held me the Lord, who formed the daylight, he shall
+therefore abide bitterest of all bales--hard games;--his bane I will
+be! And Colgrim and Baldulf both I will kill, and all their people
+shall suffer death. If the Ruler of Heaven will grant it, I will
+worthily avenge all his hostile deeds; if the life in my breast may
+last to me, and the Power that formed moon and sun will grant it to
+me, never shall Childric eft deceive me!"
+
+Now called Arthur, noblest of kings:--"Where be ye, my knights, brave
+men and active! To horse, to horse, good warriors; and we shall march
+toward Bath speedily! Let high gallows be up raised, and bring here
+the hostages before our knights, and they shall hang on high trees!"
+There he caused to be destroyed four-and-twenty children, Alemainish
+men of very noble race.
+
+Then came tidings to Arthur the king, that Howel, his relation, was
+sick lying in Clud--therefore he was sorry--and there he left him.
+Forth he gan to push exceeding hastily, until he beside Bath
+approached to a plain; there he alighted, and all his knights; and on
+with their burnies the stern men, and he in five divisions separated
+his army.
+
+When he had duly set all, and it all beseemed, then he put on his
+burny, fashioned of steel, that an elvish smith made, with his
+excellent craft; he was named Wygar, the witty wright. His shanks he
+covered with hose of steel. Caliburn, his sword, he hung by his side;
+it was wrought in Avalon, with magic craft. A helm he set on his head,
+high of steel; thereon was many gemstone, all encompassed with gold;
+it was Uther's, the noble king's; it was named Goswhit, each other
+unlike. He hung on his neck a precious shield; its name was in British
+called Pridwen; therein was engraved with red gold tracings a precious
+image of God's mother. His spear he took in hand, that was named Ron.
+When he had all his weeds, then leapt he on his steed. Then might he
+behold, who stood beside, the fairest knight, that ever host should
+lead; never saw any man better knight none, than Arthur he was,
+noblest of race! Then called Arthur with loud voice: "Lo! where here
+before us the heathen hounds, who slew our ancestors with their wicked
+crafts; and they are to us in land loathest of all things. Now march
+we to them, and starkly lay on them, and avenge worthily our kindred,
+and our realm, and avenge the mickle shame by which they have
+disgraced us, that they over the waves should have come to Dartmouth.
+And all they are forsworn, and all they shall be destroyed; they shall
+be all put to death, with the Lord's assistance! March we now forward,
+fast together, even all as softly as if we thought no evil; and when
+we come to them, myself I will commence; foremost of all the fight I
+will begin. Now we shall ride, and over the land glide; and no man on
+pain of his life make noise, but fare quickly; the Lord us aid!" Then
+Arthur the rich man gan to ride; he proceeded over the weald, and Bath
+would seek.
+
+The tiding came to Childric, the strong and the rich, that Arthur came
+with host all ready to fight. Childric and his brave men leapt them to
+horse, and grasped their weapons—-they knew themselves to be hateful!
+
+Arthur saw this, noblest of kings; he saw a heathen earl advance
+against him, with seven hundred knights, all ready to fight. The earl
+himself approached before all his troop, and Arthur himself rode
+before all his host. Arthur the bold took Ron in hand; he extended
+(couched) the stark shaft, the stiff-minded king; his horse he let
+run, so that all the earth dinned. His shield he drew to his breast--
+the king was incensed--he smote Borel the earl throughout the breast,
+so that the heart sundered. And the king called anon, "The foremost is
+dead! Now help us the Lord, and the heavenly queen, who the Lord
+bore!" Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Now to them! now to
+them! The commencement is well done!" The Britons laid on them, as men
+should do on the wicked; they gave bitter strokes with axes and with
+swords. There fell of Childric's men full two thousand, so that never
+Arthur lost ever one of his men; there were the Saxish men of all folk
+most wretched, and the Alemainish men most miserable of all people!
+Arthur with his sword wrought destruction; all that he smote at, it
+was soon destroyed! The king was all enraged as is the wild boar, when
+he in the beech-wood meeteth many swine. Childric saw this, and gan
+him to turn, and bent him over the Avon, to save himself. And Arthur
+approached to him, as if it were a lion, and drove them to the flood,
+there many were slain; they sunk to the bottom five-and-twenty
+hundred, so that all Avon's stream was bridged with steel! Childric
+over the water fled, with fifteen hundred knights; he thought forth to
+push, and sail over the sea. Arthur saw Colgrim climb to the mount,
+retreat to the hill that standeth over Bath; and Baldulf went after
+him, with seven thousand knights; they thought on the hill to
+withstand nobly, defend them with weapons, and do injury to Arthur.
+
+When Arthur saw, noblest of kings, where Colgrim withstood, and eke
+battle wrought, then called the king, keenly loud: "My bold thanes,
+advance to the hills! For yesterday was Colgrim of all men keenest,
+but now it is to him all as to the goat, where he guards the hill;
+high upon the hill he fighteth with horns, when the wild wolf
+approacheth toward him. Though the wolf be alone, without each herd,
+and there were in a fold five hundred goats, the wolf to them goeth,
+and all them biteth. So will I now to-day Colgrim all destroy; I am
+the wolf and he is the goat; the man shall die!" The yet called
+Arthur, noblest of kings: "Yesterday was Baldulf of all knights
+boldest, but now he standeth on the hill, and beholdeth the Avon, how
+the steel fishes lie in the stream! Armed with sword, their life is
+destroyed; their scales float like gold-dyed shields; there float
+their fins, as if it were spears. These are marvellous things come to
+this land; such beasts on the hill, such fishes in the stream!
+Yesterday was the kaiser keenest of all kings; now is he become a
+hunter, and horns him follow; he flieth over the broad weald; his
+hounds bark; he hath beside Bath his hunting deserted; from his deer
+he flieth, and we it shall fell, and his bold threats bring to nought;
+and so we shall enjoy our rights gained." Even with the words that the
+king said, he drew his shield high before his breast; he grasped his
+long spear, his horse he gan spur. Nigh all so swift as the fowl
+flieth, five-and-twenty thousand of brave men, mad under arms,
+followed the king; they proceeded to the hill with great strength, and
+smote upon Colgrim with exceeding smart strokes. And Colgrim them
+there received, and felled the Britons to ground; in the foremost
+attack fell five hundred.
+
+Arthur saw that, noblest of kings, and wrathed him wondrously much,
+and thus gan to call Arthur, the noble man: "Where be ye, Britons, my
+bold men! Here stand before us our foes all chosen; my good warriors,
+lay we them to the ground!" Arthur grasped his sword right, and he
+smote a Saxish knight, so that the sword that was so good at the teeth
+stopt; and he smote another, who was this knight's brother, so that
+his helm and his head fell to the ground, the third blow he soon gave,
+and a knight in two clave. Then were the Britons greatly emboldened,
+and laid on the Saxons laws (blows) most strong with their long spears
+and with swords most strong; so that the Saxons there fell, and made
+their death-time, by hundreds and hundreds sank to the ground, by
+thousands and thousands fell there ever on the ground! When Colgrim
+saw where Arthur came toward him, Colgrim might not for the
+slaughtered flee on any side; there fought Baldulf beside his brother.
+Then called Arthur with loud voice: "Here I come, Colgrim! to the
+realm we two shall reach; now we shall divide this land, as shall be
+to thee loathest of all!" Even with the words that the king said, his
+broad sword he up heaved, and hardily down struck, and smote Colgrim's
+helm, so that he clove it in the midst, and clove asunder the burny's
+hood, so that it (the sword) stopt at the breast. And he smote toward
+Baldulf with his left hand, and struck off the head, forth with the
+helm.
+
+Then laughed Arthur, the noble king, and thus gan to speak with
+gameful words: "Lie thou there, Colgrim; thou wert climbed too high;
+and Baldulf, thy brother, he by thy side; now set I all this kingdom
+in your own hands; dales and downs, and all my good folk! Thou climbed
+on this hill wondrously high, as if thou wouldst ascend to heaven; but
+now thou shalt to hell, and there thou mayest know much of thy
+kindred. And greet thou there Hengest, that was fairest of knights,
+Ebissa, and Ossa, Octa, and more of thy kin, and bid them there dwell
+winter and summer; and we shall here in land live in bliss, pray for
+your souls, that happiness never come to them; and here shall your
+yones lie, beside Bath!"
+
+Arthur, the king, called Cador, the keen;--of Cornwall he was earl,
+the knight was most keen:--"Hearken to me, Cador, thou art mine own
+kin. Now is Childric flown, and awayward gone; he thinketh with safety
+again to come hither. But take of my host five thousand men, and go
+forth-right, by day and by night, until thou come to the sea, before
+Childric; and all that thou mayest win, possess it with joy; and if
+thou mayest with evil kill there the kaiser, I will give thee all
+Dorset to meed." All as the noble king these words had said, Cador
+sprang to horse, as spark it doth from fire; full seven thousand
+followed the earl. Cador the keen, and much of his kindred, proceeded
+over wealds, and over wilderness, over dales and over downs, and over
+deep waters. Cador knew the way that toward his country lay, by the
+nearest he proceeded full surely right toward Totnes, day and night,
+until he came there forth-right, so that Childric never knew any
+manner of his coming. Cador came to the country before Childric, and
+caused to advance before him all the folk of the land, churls full
+sagacious, with clubs exceeding great, with spears and with great
+staves, chosen for the purpose, and placed them all clean into the
+ships' holds, and ordered them there to stoop low, that Childric were
+not aware of them, and when his folk came, and in would climb, to
+grasp their bats, and bravely on smite; with their staves and with
+their spears to murder Childric's host. The churls did all, as Cador
+them taught. To the ships proceeded the valiant churls; in every ship
+a hundred and half. And Cador the keen withdrew, in toward a wood
+high, five miles from the place where the ships stood, and hid him a
+while, wondrously still. And Childric soon approached, over the weald,
+and would flee to the ships, and push from land. So soon as Cador saw
+this, who was the earl keen, that Childric was in land, between him
+and the churls, then called Cador, with loud voice: "Where be ye,
+knights, brave men and active? Bethink ye what Arthur, who is our
+noble king, at Bath besought us, ere we went from the host. Lo! where
+Childric wendeth, and will flee from the land, and thinketh to pass to
+Alemaine, where his ancestors are, and will obtain an army, and eft
+come hither, and will fare in hither; and thinketh to avenge Colgrim,
+and Baldulf, his brother, who rest at Bath. But he never shall abide
+the day, he shall not, if we may prevent him!"
+
+Even with the speech, that the powerful earl spake, and promptly he
+gan ride, that was stern in mood, the warriors most keen advanced out
+of the wood-shaw, and after Childric pursued, the strong and the rich
+Childric's knights looked behind them; they saw over the weald the
+standards wind, approach over the fields five thousand shields. Then
+became Childric careful in heart, and these words said the powerful
+kaiser: "This is Arthur the king, who will us all kill, flee we now
+quickly, and into ship go, and voyage forth with the water, reck we
+never whither!" When Childric the kaiser had said these words, then
+gan he to flee exceeding quickly, and Cador the keen came soon after
+him. Childric and his knights came to ship forthright; they weened to
+shove the strong ships from the land. The churls with their bats were
+there within, the bats they up heaved, and adown right swung, there
+was soon slain many a knight with their clubs; with their pitch-forks
+they felled them to ground, and Cador and his knights slew them
+behind. Then saw Childric, that it befell to them evilly; that all his
+mickle folk fell to the ground, now saw he there beside a hill
+exceeding great, the water floweth there under, that is named Teine,
+the hill is named Teinewic, thitherward fled Childric, as quickly as
+he might, with four-and-twenty knights. Then Cador saw, how it then
+fared there, that the kaiser fled, and toward the hill retreated, and
+Cador pursued after him, as speedily as he might, and came up to him,
+and overtook him soon. Then said Cador, the earl most keen: "Abide,
+abide, Childric! I will give thee Teinewic!" Cador heaved up his
+sword, and he Childric slew. Many that there fled, to the water they
+drew, in Teine the water, there they perished; Cador killed all that
+he found alive; and some they crept into the wood, and all he them
+there destroyed. When Cador had overcome them all, and eke all the
+land taken, he set peace most good, that thereafter long stood, though
+each man bare in hand rings of gold, durst never any man greet another
+evilly.
+
+Arthur was forth marched into Scotland; for Howel lay in Clud, fast
+inclosed. The Scots had besieged him with their wicked crafts, and if
+Arthur were not the earlier come, then were Howel taken, and all his
+folk there slain, and deprived of life day. But Arthur came soon, with
+good strength, and the Scots gan to flee far from the land, into
+Moray, with a mickle host. And Cador came to Scotland, where he Arthur
+found. Arthur and Cador proceeded into Clud, and found Howel there,
+with great bliss in health, of all his sickness whole he was become;
+great was the bliss that then was in the burgh! The Scots were in
+Moray, and there thought to dwell, and with their bold words made
+their boast, and said that they would rule the realm, and Arthur there
+abide, with bold strength, for Arthur durst never for his life come
+there. When Arthur heard, void of fear, what the Scots had said with
+their scornful words, then said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where art
+thou, Howel, highest of my kindred, and Cador the keen, out of
+Cornwall? Let the trumpets blow, and assemble our host, and at the
+midnight we shall march forth right toward Moray, our honour to win.
+If the Lord will it, who shaped the daylight, we shall them tell
+sorrowful tales, and fell their boast, and themselves kill." At the
+midnight Arthur forth-right arose; horns men gan to blow with loud
+sound; knights gan arise, and stern words to speak. With a great army
+he marched into Moray; forth gan press thirteen thousand in the
+foremost flock, men exceeding keen. Afterwards came Cador, the Earl of
+Cornwall, with seventeen thousand good thanes. Next came Howel, with
+his champions exceeding well, with one-and-twenty thousand noble
+champions. Then came Arthur himself, noblest of kings; with
+seven-and-twenty thousand followed them afterward; the shields there
+glistened, and light it gan to dawn.
+
+The tidings came to the Scots, there where they dwelt, how Arthur the
+king came toward their land, exceeding quickly, with innumerable folk.
+Then were they fearfullest, who ere were boldest, and gan to flee
+exceeding quickly into the water, where wonders are enow! That is a
+marvellous lake, set in middle-earth, with fen, and with reed, and
+with water exceeding broad; with fish, and with fowl, with evil
+things! The water is immeasurably broad; nikers therein bathe; there
+is play of elves in the hideous pool. Sixty islands are in the long
+water; in each of the islands is a rock high and strong; there nest
+eagles, and other great fowls. The eagles have a law by every king's
+day; whensoever any army cometh to the country, then fly the fowls far
+into the sky, many hundred thousands, and mickle fight make. Then is
+the folk without doubt, that sorrow is to come to them from people of
+some kind, that will seek the land. Two days or three thus shall this
+token be, ere foreign men approach to the land. Yet there is a
+marvellous thing to say of the water; there falleth in the lake, on
+many a side, from dales and from downs, and from deep valleys, sixty
+streams, all there collected; yet never out of the lake any man
+findeth that thereout they flow, except a small brook at one end, that
+from the lake falleth, and wendeth very stilly into the sea. The Scots
+were dispersed with much misery, over all the many mounts that were in
+the water. And Arthur sought ships, and gan to enter them; and slew
+there without number, many and enow; and many a thousand there was
+dead, because all bread failed them. Arthur the noble was on the east
+side; Howel the good was on the south half; and Cador the keen guarded
+them by the north; and his inferior folk he set all by the west side.
+Then were the Scots accounted for sots, where they lay around the
+cliffs, fast inclosed; there were sixty thousand with sorrow
+destroyed.
+
+Then was come into haven the King of Ireland; twelve miles from
+Arthur, where he lay with an army, to help the Scots, and Howel to
+destroy. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and took one host of
+his, and thitherward marched; and found the King Gillomar, who was
+come there to land. And Arthur fought with him, and would give him no
+peace (quarter), and felled the Irish men exceedingly to the ground.
+And Gillomar with twelve ships departed from the land, and proceeded
+to Ireland, with harm most strong. And Arthur in the land slew all
+that he found; and afterwards he went to the lake, where he left his
+relation Howel the fair, noblest of Britain, except Arthur, noblest of
+kings. Arthur found Howel, where he was by the haven, by the broad
+lake, where he had abode. Then rejoiced greatly the folk in the host,
+of Arthur's arrival, and of his noble deeds; there was Arthur
+forth-right, two days and two nights. The Scots lay over the rocks,
+many thousands dead, with hunger destroyed, most miserable of all
+folk!
+
+On the third day, it gan to dawn fair; then came toward the host all
+that were hooded, and three wise bishops, in book well learned;
+priests and monks, many without number; canons there came, many and
+good, with all the reliques that were noblest in the land, and yearned
+Arthur's peace, and his compassion. Thither came the women, that dwelt
+in the land; they carried in their arms their miserable children; they
+wept before Arthur wondrously much, and their fair hair threw to the
+earth; cut off their locks, and there down laid at the king's feet,
+before all his people; set their nails to their face, so that
+afterwards it bled. They were naked nigh (nearly) all clean; and
+sorrowfully they gan to call to Arthur the king, and together thus
+said, where they were in affliction: "King, we are on earth most
+wretched of all folk; we yearn thy mercy, through the mild God! Thou
+hast in this land our people slain, with hunger and with strife, and
+with many kind of harms; with weapon, with water, and with many
+mischiefs our children made fatherless and deprived of comfort. Thou
+art a Christian man, and we are also; the Saxish men are heathen
+hounds. They came to this land, and this folk here killed; if we
+obeyed them, that was because of our harm, for we had no man that
+might accord us with them. They did us much woe, and thou dost to us
+also; the heathens us hate, and the Christians make us sorrowful;--
+whereto and what shall become of us!"-—quoth the women to the king.
+"Give us yet the men alive, who lie over these rocks; and if thou
+givest grace to this multitude, thy honour will be the greater, now
+and evermore. Lord Arthur our king, loosen our bonds! Thou has taken
+(conquered) all this land, and all this folk is overcome; we are under
+thy foot; in thee is all the remedy."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of kings; this weeping and this lament, and
+immoderate sorrow; then took he to counsel, and had pity in heart; he
+found in his counsel to do what they him prayed, he gave them life, he
+gave them limb, and their land to hold. He caused the trumpets to be
+blown, and the Scots to be summoned; and they came out of the rocks to
+the ships; on every side approached toward land. They were greatly
+harmed by the sharp hunger; and oaths they swore, that they would not
+deceive; and they then gave hostages to the king, and all full soon
+became the king's men. And then they gan depart; the folk there
+separated, each man to the end, where he was dwelling, and Arthur
+there set peace, good with the best.
+
+Then said Arthur: "Where art thou, Howel, my relation, dearest of men
+to me? Seest thou this great lake, where the Scots are harmed, seest
+thou these high trees, and seest thou these eagles fly? In this fen is
+fish innumerable. Seest thou these islands, that stand over this
+water?" Marvellous it seemed to Howel, of such a sight, and he
+wondered greatly by the water-flood, and thus there spake Howel, of
+noble race: "Since I was born man of my mother's bosom, saw I in no
+land things thus wonderful, as I here before me behold with eyes!" The
+Britons wondered wondrously much. Then spake Arthur, noblest of kings:
+"Howel, mine own relative, dearest to me of men, listen to my words,
+of a much greater wonder that I will tell to thee in my sooth speech.
+By this lake's end, where this water floweth, is a certain little
+lake, to the wonder of men! It is in length four-and-sixty palms; it
+is in measure in breadth five-and-twenty feet; five feet it is deep,
+elves it dug! Four-cornered it is, and therein is fish of four kinds,
+and each fish in his end where he findeth his kind, may there none go
+to other, except all as belongeth to his kind. Was never any man born,
+nor of so wise craft chosen, live he ever so long, that may understand
+it, what letteth (hindereth) the fish to swim to the others; for there
+is nought between but water clean!" The yet spake Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Howel, in this land's end, nigh the sea-strand, is a lake
+exceeding great--the water is evil--and when the sea floweth, as if it
+would rage, and falleth in the lake exceeding quickly, the lake is
+never the more increased in water. But when the sea falleth in (ebbs),
+and the ground becomes fair, and in it is all in its old seat, then
+swelleth the lake, and the waves darken; out the waves there leap,
+exceeding great, flow out on the land, and the people soon terrify. If
+any man cometh there, that knoweth nought thereof, to behold the
+marvel by the sea strand, if he turneth his face toward the lake, be
+he nought (never) so low born, full well he shall be saved, the water
+glideth him beside, and the man there remaineth easy, after his will
+he dwelleth there full still, so that he is not because of the water
+anything injured!" Then said Howel, noble man of Brittany: "Now I hear
+tell a wonderful story, and marvellous is the Lord that it all made!"
+
+Then said Arthur, noblest of kings. "Blow ye my horns with loud noise,
+and say ye to my knights, that I will march forth-right." Trumpets
+there were blown, horns there resounded; bliss was in the host with
+the busy king, for each was solaced, and proceeded toward his land.
+And the king forbade them, by their bare life, that no man in the
+world should be so mad, nor person so unwise, that he should break his
+peace; and if any man did it, he should suffer doom. Even with the
+words the army marched, there sung warriors marvellous songs of Arthur
+the king, and of his chieftains, and said in song, to this world's end
+never more would be such a king as Arthur, through all things, king
+nor caiser, in ever any realm!
+
+Arthur proceeded to York, with folk very surprising (numerous), and
+dwelt there six weeks with much joy. The burgh walls were broken and
+fallen down, that Childric all consumed, and the halls all clean. Then
+called the king a distinguished priest, Pirai,--he was an exceeding
+wise man, and learned in book:--"Pirai, thou art mine own priest, the
+easier it shall be for thee." The king took a rood, holy and most
+good, and gave to Pirai in hand, and therewith very much land, and the
+archbishop's staff he there gave to Pirai;--ere was Pirai a good
+priest, now is he archbishop! Then bade him Arthur, noblest of kings,
+that he should arear churches, and restore the hymns, and take charge
+of God's folk, and rule them fair. And he bade all his knights to deem
+right (just) dooms, and the earth-tillers to take to their craft, and
+every man to greet other. And what man soever did worse than the king
+had ordered, he would drive him to a bare burning, and if it were a
+base man, he should for that hang. The yet spake Arthur, noblest of
+kings, ordered that each man who had lost his land by whatsoever kind
+of punishment he were bereaved, that he should come again, full
+quickly and full soon--the rich and the low--and should have eft his
+own, unless he were so foully conditioned, that he were traitor to his
+lord, or toward his lord forsworn, whom the king should deem lost
+(beyond the limit of pardon). There came three brethren, that were
+royally born, Loth, and Angel, and Urien;—-well are such three men!
+These three chieftains came to the king, and set on their knees before
+the caiser:--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings, and thy people
+with thee; ever may they well be! We are three brethren, born of
+kings. All our rightful land is gone out of our hand; for the heathen
+men have made us poor, and wasted us all Leoneis, Scotland, and Moray.
+And we pray thee, for God's love, that thou be to us in aid, and for
+thy great honour, that thou be mild to us, and give us our rightful
+land; and we shall love thee, and hold thee for lord, in each
+land-wise." Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, how these three
+knights fair besought him; he had compassion in heart, and began
+speak, and said these words--best of all kings:--"Urien, become my
+man; thou shalt to Moray again; thereof thou shalt be called king of
+the land, and high in my court (or host), with thy forces. And to
+Angel I set in hand Scotland altogether; to have it in hand, and be
+king of the land, from the father to the son; thereof thou shalt my
+man become. And thou, Loth, my dear friend--God be to thee mild!-—thou
+hast my sister to wife; the better it shall be for thee. I give thee
+Leoneis, that is a land fair; and I will lay (add) thereto lands most
+good, beside the Humber, worth an hundred pounds. For my father Uther,
+the while that he was king here, loved well his daughter, who was his
+desire esteemed; and she is my sister, and sons she hath twain; they
+are to me in land dearest of all children." Thus spake Arthur the
+king. Then was Walwain a little child; so was the other, Modred his
+brother. But alas! that Modred was born; much harm therefore came!
+Arthur proceeded to London, and with him his people; he held in the
+land a mickle husting, and established all the laws that stood in his
+elders' days; all the good laws that era here stood; he set peace, he
+set protection, and all freedoms.
+
+From thence he marched to Cornwall, to Cador's territory; he found
+there a maid extremely fair. This maiden's mother was of Romanish men,
+Cador's relative; and the maid Cador on him bestowed, and he received
+her fair, and softly her fed. She was of noble race, of Romanish men;
+was in no land any maid so fair, of speech and of deeds, and of
+manners most good; she was named Wenhaver, fairest of women. Arthur
+took her to wife, and loved her wondrously much; this maiden he gan
+wed, and took her to his bed. Arthur was in Cornwall all the winter
+there; and all for Wenhaver's love, dearest of women to him.
+
+When the winter was gone, and summer came there anon, Arthur bethought
+him what he might do, that his good folk should not lie there inert.
+He marched to Exeter, at the midfeast (St. John Baptist?), and held
+there his husting of his noble folk, and said that he would go into
+Ireland, and win all the kingdom to his own hand; unless the King
+Gillomar the sooner came ere to him, and spake with him with good
+will, and yearned Arthur's peace, he would waste his land, and go to
+him evilly in hand, with fire and with steel work hostile game, and
+the land-folk slay, who would stand against him. Even with the words
+that the king said, then answered the folk, fair to the king: "Lord
+king, hold thy word, for we are all ready, to go and to ride over all
+at thy need." There was many a bold Briton that had boar's glances;
+heaved up their brows, enraged in their thought. They went toward
+their inns, knights with their men: they got ready burnies, prepared
+helms, they wiped their dear horses with linen cloths; they sheared,
+they shod—-the men were bold! Some shaped (or shaved) horn; some
+shaped bone; some prepared steel darts; some made thongs, good and
+very strong; some bent spears, and made ready shields. Arthur caused
+to be bidden over all his kingdom, that every good knight should come
+to him forth-right, and every brave man should come forth-right anon;
+and whoso should remain behind, his limbs he should lose, and whoso
+should come gladly, he should become rich.
+
+Seven nights after Easter, when men had fasted, then came all the
+knights to ship forth-right; the wind stood to them in hand
+(favourably), that drove them to Ireland. Arthur marched in the land,
+and the people destroyed; much folk he there slew, and he took cattle
+enow; and ever he ordered each man church-peace to hold. The tiding
+came to the king, who was lord of the land, that Arthur the king was
+come there, and much harm there wrought. He assembled all his people,
+over his kingdom; and his Irish folk marched to the fight, against
+Arthur the noble king. Arthur and his knights they weaponed them
+forth-right, and advanced against them, a numerous folk. Arthur's men
+were with arms all covered, the Irish men were nearly naked, with
+spears and with axes, and with sæxes exceeding sharp. Arthur's men let
+fly at them numerous darts, and killed the Irish folk; and greatly it
+felled; they might not this sustain, through any kind of thing, but
+fled away quickly, very many thousands. And Gillomar the king fled,
+and awayward drew, and Arthur pursued after him, and caught the king;
+he took by the hand the king of the land.
+
+Arthur the noble sought lodging; in his mood it was the easier to him,
+that Gillomar was so nigh him. Now did Arthur, noblest of kings, very
+great friendship before all his folk, he caused the king to be clothed
+with each pride (richly), and eke by Arthur he sate, and eke with
+himself ate; with Arthur he drank wine—that to mm was mickle unthank.
+Nevertheless when he saw that Arthur was most glad, then said Gillomar
+to him—in his heart he was sore: "Lord Arthur, thy peace! Give me limb
+and give me life, and I will become thy man, and deliver thee my three
+sons, my dear sons, to do all thy will. And yet I will do more, if
+thou wilt give me grace; I will deliver thee hostages exceeding rich,
+children some sixty, noble and most mighty. And yet I will more, if
+thou givest me grace; each year of my land seven thousand pounds, and
+send them to thy land, and sixty marks of gold. And yet I will more,
+if thou wilt give me grace; and all the steeds, with all their
+trappings, the hawks, and the hounds, and my rich treasures I give
+thee in hand, of all my land. And when thou hast this done, I will
+take the reliques of Saint Columkille, who did God's will, and Saint
+Brandan's head, that God himself hallowed, and Saint Bride's right
+foot, that is holy and most good, and reliques enow, that came out of
+Rome, and swear to thee in sooth, that I will thee not deceive; but I
+will love thee, and hold thee for lord, hold thee for high king, and
+myself be thy underling."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and he gan laugh with loud voice,
+and he gan answer with gracious words: "Be now glad, Gillomar; be not
+thy heart sore; for thou art a wise man—-the better therefore shall it
+be to thee, for ever one ought worthily a wise man to greet,--for thy
+wisdom shall it not be the worse for thee, much thou me offerest, the
+better it shall be to thee. Here forth right, before all my knights, I
+forgive thee the more, all the half-part, of gold and of treasure; but
+thou shalt become my man, and half the tribute send each year into my
+land. Half the steeds, and half the weeds (garments), half the hawks,
+and half the hounds, that thou me offerest, I will relinquish to thee,
+but I will have the children of thy noble men, who are to them dearest
+of all; I may the better believe thee. And so thou shalt dwell in thy
+honour in thy kingdom, in thy right territory; and I will give to
+thee, that the king shall not do wrong to thee, unless he pay for it
+with his bare back!" Thus it said Arthur, noblest of kings. Then had
+he all Ireland all together in his own hand, and the king became his
+man, and delivered him his three sons.
+
+Then spake Arthur to his good knights: "Go we to Iceland, and take we
+it in our hand." The host there marched, and to Iceland came. The king
+was named Ælcus, high man of the land, he heard the tiding of Arthur
+the king; he did all as a wiseman, and marched against him anon; anon
+forth-right, with sixteen knights; he bare in his hand a mickle wand
+(sceptre) of gold. So soon as he saw Arthur, he bent him on his knees,
+and quoth these words to him—-the king was afraid: —-"Welcome, sir
+Arthur! welcome, lord' Here I deliver thee in hand all together
+Iceland, thou shalt be my high king, and I will be thy underling. I
+will obey thee, as man shall do his master, and I will become here thy
+man, and deliver thee my dear son, who is named Escol; and thou shalt
+him honour (or reward), and dub him to knight, as thine own man. His
+mother I have to wife, the king's choice daughter of Russia. And eke
+each year I will give thee money, seven thousand pounds of silver and
+gold, and in every counsel be ready at thy need. This I will swear to
+thee, upon my sword; the relique is in the hilt, the noblest of this
+land; like as me shall like, will I never be false to thee!"
+
+Arthur heard this noblest of kings. Arthur was winsome where he had
+his will, and he was exceeding stern with his enemies. Arthur heard
+the mild words of the monarch; he granted him all that he yearned;
+hostages and oaths, and all his proffers. Then heard say sooth words
+the King of Orkney, exceeding keen, who was named Gonwais, a heathen
+warrior, that Arthur the king would come to his land; with a mickle
+fleet sail to his country. Gonwais proceeded towards him, with his
+wise thanes, and set to Arthur in hand all Orkney's land, and
+two-and-thirty islands, that thither in heth, and his homage, with
+much reverence. And he had (made) to him in covenant, before all his
+people, each year to wit, full sixty ships at his own cost to bring
+them to London, filled truly with good sea-fish. This covenant he
+confirmed, and hostages he found, and oaths he swore good, that he
+would not deceive. And afterwards he took leave, and forth he gan
+wend:--"Lord, have well good day! I will come when I may, for now thou
+art my lord, dearest of all kings." When Arthur had done this, the yet
+he would more undertake; he took his good writs, and sent to Gutlond;
+and greeted the King Doldanim, and bade him soon come to him, and
+himself become his man, and bring with him his two sons.—-"And if thou
+wilt not that, do what thou wilt, and I will send thee sixteen
+thousand noble warriors, to thy mickle harm, who shall waste thy land,
+and slay thy people, and set the land as to them best seemeth, and
+thyself bind, and to me bring." The king heard this, the threat of the
+kaiser, and he speedily took his fair weeds, hounds and hawks, and his
+good horses, much silver, much gold; his two sons in his hand. And
+forth he gan wend to Arthur the king, and said these words Doldanim
+the good: "Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings' Here I bring twain,
+my sons both; their mother is of king's race, she is mine own queen; I
+won her with spoil, out of Russia. Here I deliver thee my dear sons,
+and myself I will become thy man. And I will send thee tribute of my
+land, every year as thin? bestowed, I will send thee into London seven
+thousand pounds. That I will swear, that I will never be false, but
+here I will become thy man—-thy honour is the greater--so long as is
+ever, I will deceive thee never!"
+
+Arthur took his messengers, and sent to Winetland, to Rumareth the
+king, and bade him know in haste, that he had in his hand Britain and
+Scotland, Gutland and Ireland, Orcany and Iceland. He ordered Rumareth
+to come, and bring him his eldest son; and if he would not do that, he
+would drive him from land, and if he might him capture, he would slay
+him or hang, and destroy all his land, his people exterminate.
+Rumareth heard this, the rich King of Winet; greatly he was afraid,
+all as the others were ere; loath to him were the tidings from Arthur
+the king. Nevertheless the King Rumareth hearkened counsels; he took
+his eldest son, and twelve good earls, and proceeded to Arthur the
+noble king, and sate at his feet, and gan him fair greet: "Hail be
+thou, Arthur, noblest of Britons' I hight Rumareth, the King of
+Winetland, enow I have heard declared of thy valour; that thou art
+wide known, keenest of all kings. Thou hast won many kingdom all to
+thine own hand, there is no king in land that may thee withstand, king
+nor kaiser, in ever any combat; of all that thou beginnest, thou dost
+thy will. Here am I to thee come, and brought thee my eldest son; here
+I set thee in hand myself and my kingdom, and my dear son, and all my
+people, my wife and my weeds, and all my possessions, on condition
+that thou give me protection against thy fierce attacks. And be thou
+my high king, and I will be thy underling, and send thee to hand five
+hundred pounds of gold; these gifts I will thee find, every year."
+
+Arthur granted him all that the king yearned, and afterwards he held
+communing with his good thanes, and said that he would return again
+into this land, and see Wenhaver, the comely queen of the country.
+Trumpets he caused to be blown, and his army to assemble; and to ship
+marched the thanes wondrous blithe. The wind still stood them at will;
+weather as they would; blithe they were all therefore; up they came to
+Grumesby. That heard soon the highest of this land, and to the queen
+came tiding of Arthur the king, that he was come in safety, and his
+folk in prosperity. Then were in Britain joys enow! Here was fiddling
+and song, here was harping among, pipes and trumps sang there merrily.
+Poets there sung of Arthur the king, and of the great honour, that he
+had won. Folk came in concourse of many kind of land; wide and far the
+folk was in prosperity. All that Arthur saw, all it submitted to him,
+rich men and poor, as the hail that falleth; was there no Briton so
+wretched, that he was not enriched!
+
+Here man may tell of Arthur the king, how he afterwards dwelt here
+twelve years, in peace and in amity, in all fairness. No man fought
+with him, nor made he any strife; might never any man bethink of bliss
+that were greater in any country than in this; might never man know
+any so mickle joy, as was with Arthur, and with his folk here!
+
+I may say how it happened, wondrous though it seem. It was on a
+yule-day, that Arthur lay in London; then were come to him men of all
+his kingdoms, of Britain, of Scotland, of Ireland, of Iceland, and of
+all the lands that Arthur had in hand; and all the highest thanes,
+with horses and with swains. There were come seven kings' sons, with
+seven hundred knights; without the folk that obeyed Arthur. Each had
+in heart proud thoughts, and esteemed that he were better than his
+companion. The folk was of many a land; there was mickle envy; for the
+one accounted himself high, the other much higher. Then blew men the
+trumpets, and spread the tables; water men brought on floor, with
+golden bowls; next soft clothes, all of white silk. Then sate Arthur
+down, and by him Wenhaver the queen; next sate the earls, and
+thereafter the barons; next the knights, all as men them disposed. And
+the high-born men bare the meat even forth-right then to the knights;
+then toward the thanes, then toward the swains, then toward the
+porters, forth at the board. The people became angered, and blows
+there were rife; at first they threw the loaves, the while that they
+lasted, and the silver bowls, filled with wine, and afterwards with
+the fists approached to necks. Then leapt there forth a young man, who
+came out of Winetland; he was given to Arthur to hold as hostage; he
+was Rumareth's son, the King of Winet. Thus said the knight there to
+Arthur the king: "Lord Arthur, go quickly into thy chamber, and thy
+queen with thee, and thy known relatives, and we shall decide this
+combat against these foreign warriors." Even with the words he leapt
+to the board where lay the knives before the sovereign; three knives
+he grasped, and with the one he smote the knight in the neck, that
+first began the same fight, so that his head on the floor fell to the
+ground. Soon he slew another, this same thane's brother; ere the
+swords came, seven he felled. There was fight exceeding great; each
+man smote other; there was much blood shed, mischief was among the
+folk!
+
+Then approached the king out of his chamber; with him an hundred
+nobles, with helms and with burnies; each bare in his right hand a
+white steel brand. Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Sit ye, sit
+ye quickly, each man on his life! And whoso will not that do, he shall
+be put to death. Take ye me the same man, that this fight first began,
+and put withy on his neck, and draw him to a moor, and put him in a
+low fen, there he shall lie. And take ye all his dearest kin, that ye
+may find, and strike off the heads of them with your broad swords, the
+women that ye may find of his nearest kindred, carve ye off their
+noses, and let their beauty go to destruction; and so I will all
+destroy the race that he of came. And if I evermore subsequently hear,
+that any of my folk, of high or of low, eft arear strife on account of
+this same slaughter, there shall ransom him neither gold nor any
+treasure, fine horse nor war-garment, that he should not be dead, or
+with horses drawn in pieces—-that is of each traitor the law! Bring ye
+the reliques, and I will swear thereon; and so, knights, shall ye,
+that were at this fight, earls and barons, that ye will not it break."
+First swore Arthur, noblest of kings; then swore earls, then swore
+barons; then swore thanes, then swore swains, that they nevermore the
+strife would arear. Men took all the dead, and carried them to
+burial-place. Afterwards men blew the trumpets, with noise exceeding
+merry; were he lief, were he loath, each there took water and cloth,
+and then sate down reconciled to the board, all for Arthur's dread,
+noblest of kings. Cupbearers there thronged, gleemen there sung; harps
+gan resound, the people was in joy. Thus full seven nights was all the
+folk treated.
+
+Afterwards it saith in the tale, that the king went to Cornwall; there
+came to him anon one that was a crafty workman, and met the king, and
+fair him greeted:—-"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings' I am thine
+own man; through many land I have gone; I know of tree-works
+(carpentry) wondrous many crafts. I heard say beyond the sea new
+tidings, that thy knights gan to fight at thy board, on a midwinter's
+day many there fell; for their mickle mood wrought murderous play, and
+for their high lineage each would be within. But I will thee work a
+board exceeding fair, that thereat may sit sixteen hundred and more,
+all turn about, so that none be without; without and within, man
+against man. And when thou wilt ride, with thee thou mightest it
+carry, and set it where thou wilt, after thy will, and then thou
+needest never fear, to the world's end, that ever any moody knight at
+thy board may make fight, for there shall the high be even with the
+low." Timber was caused to be brought, and the board to be begun; in
+four weeks' time the work was completed.
+
+At a high day the folk was assembled, and Arthur himself approached
+soon to the board, and ordered all his knights to the board
+forth-right. When all were seated, knights to their meat, then spake
+each with other, as if it were his brother; all they sate about; was
+there none without. Every sort of knight was there exceeding well
+disposed, all they were one by one (seated), the high and the low,
+might none there boast of other kind of drink other than his comrades,
+that were at the board. This was the same board that Britons boast of,
+and say many sorts of leasing, respecting Arthur the king. So doth
+every man, that another can love; if he is to him too dear, then will
+he lie, and say of him more honour than he is worth; no man is he so
+wicked, that his friend will not act well to him. Eft if among folk
+enmity areareth, in ever any time between two men, men can say leasing
+of the hateful one, though he were the best man that ever ate at
+board, the man that to him were loath, he can him last find! It is not
+all sooth nor all falsehood that minstrels sing; but this is the sooth
+respecting Arthur the king. Was never ere such king, so doughty
+through all things! For the sooth stands in the writings how it is
+befallen, from beginning to the end, of Arthur the king, no more nor
+less but as his laws (or acts) were.
+
+But Britons loved him greatly, and oft of him lie, and say many things
+respecting Arthur the king that never was transacted in this
+worlds-realm! Enow may he say, who the sooth will frame, marvellous
+things respecting Arthur the king. Then was Arthur most high, his folk
+most fair, so that there was no knight well esteemed, nor of his
+manners (or deeds) much assured, in Wales nor in England, in Scotland
+nor in Ireland, in Normandy nor in France, in Flanders nor in Denmark,
+nor in ever any land, that on this side of Muntgiu standeth, that were
+esteemed good knight, nor his deeds accounted (brave or aught), unless
+he could discourse of Arthur, and of his noble court, his weapons, and
+his garments, and his horsemen, say and sing of Arthur the young, and
+of his strong knights, and of their great might, and of their wealth,
+and how well it them became. Then were he welcome in this
+worlds-realm, come whereso he came, and though he were at Rome, all
+that heard of Arthur tell, it seemed to them great marvel of the good
+king!
+
+And so it was foreboded, ere he were born; so said him Merlin, that
+was a prophet great, that a king should come of Uther Pendragon, that
+gleemen should make a board of this king's breast, and thereto should
+sit poets most good, and eat their will, ere they thence departed, and
+wine-draughts out draw from this king's tongue, and drink and revel
+day and night; this game should last them to the world's end.
+
+And yet said him Merlin more that was to come, that all that he looked
+on to his feet to him should bow. The yet said him Merlin, a marvel
+that was greater, that there should be immoderate care (sorrow) at
+this king's departure. And of this king's end will no Briton believe
+it, except it be the last death, at the great doom, when our Lord
+judgeth all folk. Else we cannot deem of Arthur's death, for he
+himself said to his good Britons, south in Cornwall, where Walwain was
+slain, and himself was wounded wondrously much, that he would fare
+into Avalon, into the island, to Argante the fair, for she would with
+balm heal his wounds,--and when he were all whole, he would soon come
+to them. This believed the Britons, that he will thus come, and look
+ever when he shall come to his land, as he promised them, ere he hence
+went.
+
+Arthur was in the world wise king and powerful, good man and peaceful,
+his men him loved. Knights he had proud, and great in their mood, and
+they spake to the king of marvellous thing, and thus the assemblage
+said to the high king: "Lord Arthur, go we to the realm of France, and
+win all the land to thine own hand, drive away all the French, and
+their king slay; all the castles occupy, and set (garrison) them with
+Britons, and rule in the realm with fierce strength" Then answered
+Arthur, noblest of kings "Your will I will do, but ere (previously) I
+will go to Norway, and I will lead with me Loth my brother-in-law, he
+who is Walwain's father, whom I well love. For new tidings are come
+from Norway, that Sichelm the king is there dead, his people has left,
+and he hath ere bequeathed all his kingdom to Loth. For the king is of
+all bereaved, son and eke daughter, and Loth is his sister's son—-the
+better to him shall it befall—-for I will make him new king in Norway,
+and well instruct him to govern well the people. And when I have done
+thus, I will afterwards come home, and get ready my army, and pass
+into France, and if the king withstandeth me, and will not yearn my
+peace, I will fell him with fight to the ground"
+
+Arthur caused to be blown horns and trumpets, and caused to be
+summoned to the sea the Britons most bold. Ships he had good by the
+sea-flood, fifteen hundred pushed from the land, and flew along the
+sea, as if they had flight (wings), and bent their course into Norway,
+with bold strength. So soon as they came, they took haven, with mickle
+strength they stept (disembarked) on the realm Arthur sent his
+messengers wide over the land, and ordered them to come soon, and have
+Loth for king, and if they would not that, he would slay them all.
+Then they took their messengers, the Norwegian earls, and sent to the
+king, and bade him back go—-"And if thou wilt not depart, thou shalt
+have here sorrow and care; for so long as is ever, that shall never
+come to pass, that we shall raise a foreign man for king. For if
+Sichelm is departed (dead), here are others choice, whom we may by our
+will raise to be king. And this is the sooth; there is no other,
+either move thee awayward, and turn thee right homeward, either to-day
+a se'nnight, thou shalt have great fight."
+
+The Norwegian earls betook them to counsel, that a king they would
+have of their own race, for all Sichelm's words they held to be
+folly.--"And so long as is ever, it shall not ever stand! But we shall
+take Riculf, who is an earl exceeding powerful, and raise him to be
+king--this is to us pleasing—-and assemble our forces over all this
+country, and march towards Arthur, and defeat him with fight, and Loth
+we shall chase, and drive from land, or else we shall fell him with
+fight." They took Riculf, the Earl of Norway, and raised him to be
+king, though it were not to him by right, and they assembled their
+host over Norway's land. And Arthur on his part, over the land gan
+march; the land he through passed, and the burghs he consumed, goods
+he took enow, and much folk he there slew. And Riculf gan him ride
+against Arthur anon; together they came, and fight they began. The
+Britons advanced to them--woe there was rife! Swords exceeding long
+they plucked out of sheath; heads flew on the field, faces paled; man
+against man set shaft to breast; burnies there brake; the Britons were
+busy, shivered shields, warriors there fell! And so all the daylight
+lasted this great fight; moved they east, moved they west, there was
+it the worse to the Norwegians; moved they south, moved they north the
+Norwegians there fell. The Britons were bold, the Norwegians they
+killed; the Norwegian men there fell, five-and-twenty thousand, and
+Riculf the king was there slain, and deprived of life day; little
+there remained of the folk; whoso had the wretched life, they yearned
+Arthur's peace. Arthur looked on Loth, who was to him well dear, and
+thus gan to him to call, Arthur the rich man: "Loth, wend hither to
+me, thou art my dear relative. Here I give to thee all this kingdom;
+of me thou shalt it hold, and have me for protector."
+
+Then was Walwain thither come, Loth's eldest son; from the pope of
+Rome, who was named Supplice, who long had him brought up, and made
+him knight. Full well was it bestowed, that Walwain was born to be
+man, for Walwain was full noble-minded, in each virtue he was good; he
+was liberal, and knight with the best. All Arthur's folk was greatly
+emboldened, for Walwain the keen, that was come to the host; and for
+his father Loth, who was chosen to be king. Then spake Arthur with
+him, and bade him hold good peace, and bade him love his peaceful
+people, and those that would not hold peace, to fell them to ground.
+
+The yet called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons?
+March ye now forth-right; prepare ye by the flood my good ships." All
+did the knights as Arthur them ordered. When the ships were ready,
+Arthur gan to the sea fare; with him he took his knights, his
+Norwegian thanes, and his bold Britons, and proceeded forth with the
+waves; and the doughty king came into Denmark; he caused his tents to
+be pitched, wide over the fields; trumpets he caused to be blown, and
+his coming to be announced.
+
+Then was in Denmark a king of much might; he was named Æscil, the
+highest over the Danes; he saw that Arthur won all that was to him in
+will. Æscil the king bethought him what he might do; loath it was to
+him to lose his dear people. He saw that with strength he might not
+stand against Arthur, with ever any combat. He sent greeting to Arthur
+the king; hounds and hawks, and horses exceeding good; silver and red
+gold, with prudent words. And yet he did more, Æscil the great; he
+sent to the highest of Arthur's folk, and prayed them to intercede for
+him with the noble king; that he might his man become, and deliver his
+son for hostage, and each year send him tribute of his land, a boat of
+gold and of treasure, and of rich garments, filled from the top to the
+bottom, in safety. And afterwards he would swear, that he would not
+prove false. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, that Æscil, King of
+the Danes, would be his underling, without any fight, he and all his
+knights. Then was gladdened Arthur the rich, and thus answered with
+mild words: "Well worth the man, that with wisdom obtaineth to him
+peace and amity, and friendship to hold! When he seeth that he is
+bound with strength, and his dear realm ready all to destruction, with
+art he must slacken his odious bonds." Arthur ordered the king to
+come, and bring his eldest son; and he so did soon, the King of
+Denmark. Arthur's will soon he gan to fulfill; together they came, and
+were reconciled.
+
+The yet said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Fare I will to France, with my
+mickle host. I will have of Norway nine thousand knights; and of
+Denmark I will lead nine thousand of the people; and of Orkney eleven
+hundred; and of Moray three thousand men; and of Galloway five
+thousand of the folk; and of Ireland eleven thousand, and of Britain
+my knights bold shall march before me, thirty thousand; and of Gutland
+I will lead ten thousand of the people; and of Frisland five thousand
+men; and of Little Britain Howel the bold, and with such folk France I
+will seek. And as I expect God's mercy, yet I will promise more; that
+of all the lands, that stand in my hand, I will order each brave man,
+that can bear his weapons, as he would wish to live, and have his
+limbs, that he go with me, to fight with Frolle, who is King of the
+French—-slain he shall be!--he was born in Rome, of Romanish kin."
+Forth proceeded Arthur, until he came to Flanders, the land he gan
+conquer, and set it with his men. And next he marched thence, into
+Boulogne, and all Boulogne's land took it in his own hand.
+
+And afterwards he took the way that in toward France lay. Then bade he
+his command to all his men, that fare wheresoever they should fare,
+they should take no whit, unless they might it obtain with right; with
+just purchase, in the king's host. Frolle heard that, where he was in
+France, of Arthur's speed (success), and of all his deeds; and how he
+all won that he looked on, and how it all to him submitted that he saw
+with eyes, then was the King Frolle horribly afraid! At the same time
+that this was transacted, the land of the French was named Gaul; and
+Frolle was from Rome come into France, and each year sent tribute of
+the land, ten hundred pounds of silver and of gold. Now heard Frolle,
+who was chief of France, of the great sorrow that Arthur did in the
+land. He sent messengers soon the nearest way toward Rome, and bade
+the Romanish folk advise them between, how many thousand knights they
+thither would send, that he might the easier fight with Arthur, and
+drive from the land Arthur the strong. Knights gan to ride out of
+Rome-land; five-and-twenty thousand proceeded toward France. Frolle
+heard this, with his mickle host, that the Romanish folk rode toward
+the land. Frolle and his host marched against them, so that they came
+together, keen men and brave, of all the earth an immense force.
+
+Arthur heard that, noblest of kings, and assembled his army, and
+advanced against them. But never was there any king, that was alive on
+earth, that ever ere on land such folk (multitude) commanded; for from
+all the kingdoms that Arthur had in hand, forth he led with him all
+the keenest men, so that he knew never in the world how many thousands
+there were. So soon as they came together, Arthur and Frolle; hardily
+they greeted all that they met. Knights most strong grasped long
+spears, and rushed them together, with fierce strength. All day there
+were blows most rife; the folk fell to ground, and wrought
+destruction; the angry warriors sought the grass-bed; the helms
+resounded, murmured earls; shields there shivered, warriors gan fall.
+Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons, my
+bold thanes? The day it forth goeth; this folk against us standeth.
+Cause we to glide to them sharp darts enow, and teach them to ride the
+way toward Rome!" Even with the words that Arthur then said, he sprang
+forth on steed, as spark doth of fire. Fifty thousand were following
+him; the hardy warriors rushed to the fight, and smote upon Frolle,
+where he was in the flock, and brought him to flight, with his mickle
+folk; there slew Arthur much folk and innumerable.
+
+Then fled into Paris Frolle the powerful, and fastened the gates, with
+grief enow; and these words said, sorrowful in heart: "Liefer were it
+to me, that I were not born!" Then were in Paris grievous speeches,
+full surely, sorrowful cries; burghmen gan to tremble; the walls they
+gan repair, the gates they gan to form; meat they took, all that they
+came nigh; on each side they carried it to the burgh; thither came
+they all, that held with Frolle. Arthur heard that, noblest of kings,
+that Frolle dwelt in Paris, with an immense force, and said that he
+would Arthur withstand. To Paris marched Arthur, of fear void, and
+belay the walls, and areared his tents; on four sides he belay it (the
+city), four weeks and a day. The people that were there within were
+sore afraid, the burgh was within filled with men; and they ate soon
+the meat that was there gathered.
+
+When four weeks were gone, that Arthur was there stationed, then was
+in the burgh sorrow extreme, with the wretched folk that lay there in
+hunger, there was weeping, there was lament, and distress great. They
+called to Frolle, and bade him make peace; become Arthur's man, and
+his own honour enjoy, and hold the kingdom of Arthur the keen; and let
+not the wretched folk perish all with hunger. Then answered
+Frolle—-free he was in heart:—-"Nay, so help me God, that all dooms
+wieldeth, shall I never his man become, nor he my sovereign! Myself I
+will fight; in God is all the right!"
+
+The yet spake Frolle, free man in heart: "Nay, so help me the Lord
+that shaped the daylight, will I nevermore yearn Arthur's grace; but
+fight I will, without any knight's aid, body against body, before my
+people; hand against hand, with Arthur the king! Whetherso of us is
+the weaker, soon he will be the leather; whetherso of us there may
+live, to his friends he will be the liefer; and whether of us that may
+of the other obtain the better (superiority), have he all this other's
+land, and set it in his own hand. This I will yearn, if Arthur will it
+grant; and this I will swear upon my sword. And hostages I will find,
+three kings' sons, that I will hold firmly this covenant; that I will
+it not violate, by my quick life! For liefer it is to me to lie dead,
+before my people, than that I should see them on the ground perish
+with hunger. For we have with fight destroyed our knights—-men felled
+fifty thousand; and many a good woman have made miserable widow, many
+a child fatherless, and bereaved of comfort; and now this folk with
+hunger have wondrously harmed. It is better therefore betwixt
+ourselves to deal and to dispose of this kingdom with fight; and have
+it the better man, and possess it in joy!" Frolle took twelve knights,
+with these words forth-right, and sent them in message to Arthur the
+king, to know if he would hold this covenant, and with his own hand
+win the kingdom, or lie dead before, to the harm of his people; and if
+he it won, should have it in his power.
+
+Arthur heard that, noblest of kings; was he never so blithe ere in his
+life, for the tiding liked to him from Frolle the king; and these
+words said Arthur the good: "Well saith Frolle, who is King of France;
+better it is that we two contest this realm, than there should be
+slain our brave thanes. This covenant I approve, before my people, at
+an appointed day to do what he me biddeth; that shall be to-morrow,
+before our men, that fight we shall by ourselves, and fall the worst
+of us! And whether (which) of us that goeth aback, and this fight will
+forsake, be he in each land proclaimed for a recreant! Then may men
+sing of one such king, that his brag (or threat) hath made, and his
+knighthood forsaken!"
+
+Frolle heard that, who was King of France, that Arthur would fight
+himself, without any knight. Strong man was Frolle, and stark man in
+mood; and his boast he had made, before all his people, and he might
+not for much shame disgrace himself; quit his bold bragging that he
+had said in the burgh. But said he whatever he said, in sooth he it
+weened, that Arthur would it forsake, and no whit take to (accept) the
+fight. For if Frolle, who was King in France, had it known, that
+Arthur would grant him that he had yearned, he would not have done it
+for a shipful of gold! Nevertheless was Frolle to the fight exceeding
+keen; tall knight and strong man, and moody in heart; and said that he
+would hold the day, in the island that with water is surrounded—-the
+island standeth full truly in the burgh of Paris.--"There I will with
+fight obtain my rights, with shield, and with steel, and with knight's
+weed; now to-morrow is the day; have it he that may it win!"
+
+The tiding came to Arthur the king, that Frolle would with fight win
+France; was he never so blithe ere in his life! And he gan to laugh,
+with loud voice; and said these words Arthur the keen: "Now I know
+that Frolle will with me fight, to-morrow in the day, as he himself
+determined, in the island that with water is surrounded; for it
+becometh a king, that his word should stand. Let the trumpets blow,
+and bid my men, that every good man watch to-night for that, and pray
+our Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that he preserve me from Frolle the
+fierce, and with his right hand protect me from disgrace. And if I may
+obtain this kingdom to mine own hand, every poor man the easier shall
+be, and work I will the great God's will! Now aid me thereto that all
+things may well do; the high heavenly king stand me in help; for him I
+will love (or praise), the while that I live!"
+
+There was all the long night songs and candle-light; loudly sung
+clerks holy psalms of God. When it was day on the morrow, people gan
+to stir. His weapons he took in hand, Arthur the strong; he threw on
+his back a garment most precious, a cheisil shirt, and a cloth kirtle;
+a burny exceeding precious, embroidered of steel. He set on his head a
+good helm; to his side he suspended his word Caliburn; his legs he
+covered with hose of steel, and placed on his feet spurs most good.
+The king with his weeds leapt on his steed; men reached to him a good
+shield; it was all clean of elephant's bone (ivory). Men gave him in
+hand a strong shaft; there was at the end a spear most fair; it was
+made in Caermarthen by a smith that hight Griffin; Uther it possessed,
+who was ere king here. When that the stern man was weaponed, then gan
+he to advance; then might he behold, who were there beside, the mighty
+king ride boldly; since this world was made, was it nowhere told, that
+ever any man so fair rode upon horse, as Arthur he was, son of Uther!
+Bold chieftains rode after the king; in the foremost flock forty
+hundred, noble warriors, clad in steel, bold Britons, busy with
+weapon. After that marched fifty hundred, that Walwain led, who was a
+bold champion. Afterwards there gan out follow sixty thousand Britons
+most bold; that was the rearward. There was the King Angel; there was
+Loth and Urine; there was Urine's son, named Ywain; there was Kay and
+Beduer, and commanded the host there; there was the King Howel, noble
+man of Britanny; Cador there was eke, who was keen in flock; there was
+from Ireland Gillomar the strong; there was Gonwais the king, Orkney's
+darling; there was Doldanim the keen, out of Gothland, and Rumaret the
+strong, out of Winet-land; there was Aescil the king, Denmark's
+darling. Folk there was on foot, so many thousand men, that was never
+a man in this worlds-realm so wise, that might tell the thousands, in
+ever any speech, unless he had with right wisdom of the Lord, or
+unless he had with him what Merlin he had.
+
+Arthur forth gan march, with innumerable folk; until he came full
+surely unto the burgh of Paris; on the west side of the water, with
+his mickle folk. On the east side was Frolle, with his great force,
+ready to the fight, before all his knights. Arthur took a good boat,
+and went therein, with shield and with steed, and with all his weeds
+(armour); and he shoved the strong ship from the land, and stept upon
+the island, and led his steed in his hand; his men that brought him
+there, as the king commanded, let the boat drive forth with the waves.
+
+Frolle went into ship; the king was uneasy that he ever thought with
+Arthur to fight. He proceeded to the island, with his good weapons; he
+stept upon the island, and drew his steed after him; the men that
+brought him there, as the king commanded them, let the boat drive
+forth with the waves; and the two kings alone there remained.
+
+Then men might behold, that were there beside, the folk on the land,
+exceedingly afraid; they climbed upon halls, they climbed upon walls;
+they climbed upon bowers, they climbed upon towers, to behold the
+combat of the two kings. Arthur's men prayed with much humility to God
+the good, and the holy his mother, that their lord might have there
+victory; and the others eke prayed for their king. Arthur stept in
+steel saddlebow, and leapt on his steed; and Frolle with his weeds
+leapt also on his steed; the one at his end, in the island, and the
+other at his end, in the island; they couched their shafts, the royal
+knights; they urged their steeds--good knights they were. Never was he
+found in ever any land, any man so wise, that should know it ere that
+time, whether (which) of the kings should lie overcome; for both they
+were keen knights, brave men and active, mickle men in might, and in
+force exceeding strong. They made ready their steeds; and together
+they gan ride; rushed fiercely, so that fire sprang after them! Arthur
+smote Frolle with might excessive strong, upon the high shield, so
+that it fell to the ground; and the steed that was good leapt out in
+the flood. Arthur out with his sword—mischief was on the point—and
+struck upon Frolle, where he was in the flood, ere their combat were
+come to the end. But Frolle with his hand grasped his long spear, and
+observed Arthur anon, as he came nigh, and smote the bold steed in the
+breast, so that the spear pierced through, and Arthur down drove. Then
+arose the multitudes' clamour, that the earth dinned again, the welkin
+resounded for shout of the folk. There would the Britons over the
+water pass, if Arthur had not started up very quickly, and grasped his
+good shield, adorned with gold, and against Frolle, with hostile
+glances cast before his breast his good broad shield. And Frolle to
+him rushed with his fierce assault, and up heaved his sword, and
+struck down right, and smote upon Arthur's shield, so that it fell on
+the field; the helm on his head, and his mail gan to give way, in
+front of his head; and he received a wound four inches long;—-it
+seemed not to him sore, for it was no more;—-the blood ran down over
+all his breast. Arthur was enraged greatly in his heart, and his sword
+Caliburne swung with main, and smote Frolle upon the helm, so that it
+parted in two; throughout the burnyshood, so that at his breast it
+(the sword) stopt. Then fell Frolle to the ground; upon the grass-bed
+his ghost he left. Then laughed the Britons, with loud voice; and
+people gan to fly exceeding quickly.
+
+Arthur the powerful went to land, and thus gan to call, noblest of
+kings: "Where art thou, Walwain, dearest of men to me? Command these
+Rome-men all with peace to depart hence; each man enjoy his home, as
+God granteth it him; order each man to hold peace, upon pain of limb
+and upon life; and I will it order to-day a se'nnight; command this
+folk then to march all together, and come to myself—-the better it
+shall be for them. They shall perform homage to me with honour, and I
+will hold them in my sovereignty, and set laws most good among the
+people. For now shall the Romanish laws fall to the ground, that
+before stood here with Frolle, who lieth slain in the island, and
+deprived of life-day. Hereafter full soon shall his kindred of Rome
+hear tidings of Arthur the king, for I will speak with them, and break
+down Rome walls, and remind them how King Belin led the Britons in
+thither, and won to him all the lands that stand unto Rome."
+
+Arthur proceeded to the gate, before the burgh wise men that took
+charge of the burgh, came, and let Arthur within, with all his men;
+delivered to him the halls, delivered to him the castles; delivered to
+him, full surely, all the burgh of Paris—there was mickle bliss with
+the British folk! The day came to burgh, that Arthur had set; came all
+the populace, and his men became. Arthur took his folk, and divided
+them in two; and the half part gave to Howel, and bade him march soon,
+with the mickle host, with the British men to conquer lands.
+
+Howel did all thus as Arthur him bade; he conquered Berry, and all the
+lands thereby; Anjou and Touraine, Alverne and Gascony, and all the
+havens that belonged to the lands. Guitard hight the duke, who
+possessed Poitou; he would not submit to Howel, but held ever against
+him; he would ask no peace, but Howel fought with him; oft he felled
+the folk, and oft he made flight. Howel wasted all the land, and slew
+the people. When Guitard saw, who was lord in Poitou, that all his
+people went him to loss, with Howel he made peace, with all his host,
+and became Arthur's man, the noble king. Arthur became gracious to
+him, and loved him greatly, and bade him enjoy his land, for (because)
+he bowed to his feet;--then had Howel nobly succeeded!
+
+Arthur had France, and freely it settled; he took then his host, and
+marched over all the territory; to Burgundy he proceeded, and set it
+in his hand; and afterwards he gan fare into Loraine, and all the
+lands set to himself in hand, all that Arthur saw, all it submitted to
+him; and afterwards he went, full truly, again home to Pans.
+
+When Arthur had France established with good peace, settled and
+composed, so that prosperity was among the folk, then ordered he the
+old knights, that he had long retained, that they should come to the
+king, and receive their reward; for they many years had been his
+companions. To some he gave land, some silver and gold; to some he
+gave castles, some he gave clothes; bade them go in joy, and amend
+their sins; forbade them to bear weapon, because age upon them went,
+and bade them love God greatly in this life, that he at the end, full
+surely, might give them his paradise, that they might enjoy bliss with
+the angels. All the old knights proceeded to their land, and the young
+remained with their dear king. All the nine years Arthur dwelt there;
+nine years he held France freely in hand, and afterwards no longer the
+land he governed.
+
+But the while that the kingdom stood in Arthur's hand, marvellous
+things came to the folk; many proud man Arthur made mild, and many a
+high man he held at his feet! It was on an Easter, that men had
+fasted, that Arthur on Easter-day had his noble men together; all the
+highest persons that belonged to France, and of all the lands that lay
+thither in; there he gave his knights all their rights; to each one he
+gave possessions, as he had earned. Thus quoth him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Kay, look thee hitherward; thou art mine highest steward; here
+I give thee Anjou, for thy good deeds, and all the rights that thither
+in are set. Kneel to me, Beduer; thou art my highest cup-bearer here;
+the while that I am alive, love thee I will. Here I give thee
+Neustrie, nearest to my realm." Then hight Neustrie the land that now
+hight Normandy. The same two earls were Arthur's dear men, at counsel
+and at communing, in every place. The yet said him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Wend thee hither, Howeldin; thou art my man and my kin; have
+thou Boulogne, and possess it in prosperity. Come near, Borel; thou
+art knight wise and wary; here I deliver thee the Mans, with honour,
+and possess thou it in prosperity, for thy good deeds." Thus Arthur
+the king dealt his lordly lands, after their actions; for he thought
+them to be worthy. Then were blithe speeches in Arthur's halls; there
+was harping and song, there were blisses among!
+
+When Easter was gone, and April went from town, and the grass was
+rife, and the water was calm, and men gan to say that May was in town,
+Arthur took his fair folk, and proceeded to the sea, and caused his
+ships to be assembled, well with the best; and sailed to this land,
+and came up at London; up he came at London, to the bliss of the
+people. All it was blithe that saw him with eyes; soon they gan to
+sing of Arthur the king, and of the great worship that he had won
+There kissed father the son, and said to him welcome; daughter the
+mother, brother the other; sister kissed sister; the softer it was to
+them in heart. In many hundred places folk stood by the way, asking of
+things of many kind; and the knights told them of their conquests, and
+made their boast of mickle booty. Might no man say, were he man ever
+so skilled, of half the blisses that were with the Britons! Each fared
+at his need over this kingdom, from burgh to burgh, with great bliss;
+and thus it a time stood in the same wise—bliss was in Britain with
+the bold king.
+
+When Easter was gone, and summer come to land, then took Arthur his
+counsel, with his noble men, that he would in Kaerleon bear on him his
+crown, and on Whitsunday his folk there assemble. In those days men
+gan deem, that no burgh so fair was in any land, nor so widely known
+as Kaerleon by Usk, unless it were the rich burgh that is named Rome.
+The yet many a man was with the king in land, that pronounced the
+burgh of Kaerleon richer than Rome, and that Usk were the best of all
+waters. Meadows there were broad, beside the burgh; there was fish,
+there was fowl, and fairness enow; there was wood and wild deer,
+wondrous many; there was all the mirth that any man might think of.
+But never since Arthur thither came, the burgh afterwards thrived, nor
+ever may, between this and dooms-day. Some books say certainly that
+the burgh was bewitched, and that is well seen, sooth that it be. In
+the burgh were two minsters exceeding noble; one minster was of Saint
+Aaron; therein was mickle relique; the other of the martyr Saint
+Julian, who is high with the Lord; therein were nuns good, many a high
+born woman.
+
+The bishop's stool was at Saint Aaron; therein was many a good man;
+canons there were, who known were wide; there was many a good clerk,
+who well could (were well skilled) in learning. Much they used the
+craft to look in the sky; to look in the stars, nigh and far;--the
+craft is named Astronomy. Well often they said of many things to the
+king; they made known to him what should happen to him in the land.
+Such was the burgh of Kaerleon; there was much wealth; there was much
+bliss with the busy king.
+
+The king took his messengers, and sent over his land; bade come earls;
+bade come barons; bade come kings, and eke chieftains; bade come
+bishops, bade come knights; bade all the free men that ever were in
+the land; by their life he bade them be at Kaerleon on Whitsunday.
+Knights gan to ride exceeding wide, rode toward Kaerleon from lands of
+many kind. At the Whitsunday there came the King Angel, King of
+Scotland, with his fair folk; many was the fair man that followed the
+king. Of Moray King Urien, and his fair son Ywam; Stater, King of
+South Wales, and Cadwal, the King of North Wales; Cador, Earl of
+Cornwall, whom the king loved; Morvith of Gloucester; Maurm of
+Winchester; Gurguint, Earl of Hereford, and Beof, Earl of Oxford;
+Cursal the bold, from Bath there came riding; Urgent of Chester;
+Jonathas of Dorchester; Arnalf of Salisbury, and Kinmare of
+Canterbury; Bahen of Silchester; Wigen of Leicester; Argal, Earl of
+Warwick, with folk exceeding strange (or numerous); Dunwale, son of
+Apnes, and Kegem, son of Elauth; Kineus, that was Coit's son, and
+Cradoc, Catel's son, Ædlem, Cledauk's son; Grimarc, Kinmark's son;
+Run, Margoit, and Netan; Clofard, Kincar, and Aican; Kenn, Neton, and
+Peredur; Madoc, Trahern, and Elidur. These were Arthur's noble earls,
+and the highest thanes brave of all this land, without (besides) the
+nobles of Arthur's board, that no man might ken, nor all the folk
+name. Then were archbishops three in this country; in London, and in
+York; and in Kaerleon, Saint Dubrich--he was a man exceeding holy,
+through all things excellent! At London lay the archbishop's stool,
+that to Canterbury was subsequently removed, after that Englishmen had
+won to them this land.
+
+To tell the folk of Kaerleon, no man might it do! There was Gillomar
+the king, of Irish men the darling; Malverus, King of Iceland;
+Doldanet, King of Gutland; Kinkalin of Frisland; and Æscil, King of
+Denmark. There was Loth the keen, who was king by the North; and
+Gonwais, King of Orkney, of outlaws the darling. Thither came the
+fierce man, the Earl of Boulogne, who was named Laeyer, and his people
+with him; of Flanders the Earl Howeldin; of Chartres the Earl Geryn.
+This man brought with him all the French men; twelve earls most noble,
+who ruled over France. Guitard, Earl of Poitiers; Kay, Earl of Angers;
+Bedver, Earl of Normandy — the land then hight Neustne;—-of the Mans
+came the Earl Borel; of Britanny the Earl Howel. Howel the earl was
+free man, and fair were his weeds. And all the French folk were
+clothed fair, all well weaponed, and horses they had fat. There were
+besides fifteen bishops. Was there no knight nor any swain, nor good
+man that were thane, from the ports of Spain to the towns of Alemaine,
+that thither would not have come, if he were (had been) invited; all
+for Arthur's dread, of noble race. When all this folk was come; each
+king with his people, there men might behold, who were there beside,
+many a strange man, who was come to the burgh, and many kind of
+tidings (novelties) with Arthur the king There was many a marvellous
+cloth (garment); there was many a wrath knight; there were lodgings
+nobly prepared; there were the inns, built with strength; there were
+on the fields many thousand tents; there came lard and wheat, and oats
+without measure; may no man say it in his tale, of the wine and of the
+ale; there came hay, there came grass; there came all that was good!
+
+When all this folk was assembled by the good king, when the Whitsunday
+came, as the Lord it sent, then came all the bishops before their
+king, and the archbishops three, before Arthur; and took the crown,
+that was to him by right, and set upon his head with great bliss; so
+they gan him lead, all with God's counsel. Saint Dubrich went before--
+he was to Christ chosen;--the Archbishop of London walked on his right
+hand, and by his left side the same of York. Fifteen bishops went
+before, of many lands chosen; they were all clothed with garments most
+rich, that were all embroidered with burning gold. There walked four
+kings before the kaiser; they bare in their hands four swords of gold.
+Thus hight the one, who was a most doughty man, that was Cador the
+king, Arthur's darling; the second of Scotland, he bare sword in hand;
+and the King of North Wales and the King of South Wales.
+
+And thus they gan lead the king to church; the bishops gan sing before
+the monarch, trumpets there blew; bells there rung; knights gan ride,
+women forth glide. In certainty it is said, and sooth it is found,
+that no man ever ere saw here with earthly men half so great pomp, in
+ever any assembly, as was with Arthur, of noble race.
+
+Into church came Arthur the rich man; Dubrich the archbishop—-the Lord
+was to him full good; of Rome he was legate, and prelate of the
+people—-he sang the holy mass before the monarch. Came with the queen
+women fair; all wives of the rich men that dwelt in the land, and
+daughters of the noble men the queen had sought (or selected), all as
+the queen had ordered, on pain of their paying full penalty. In the
+church, in the south half, sate Arthur the king himself; by the north
+side Wenhaver the queen. There came before her four chosen queens;
+each bare in the left hand a jewel of red gold, and three snow-white
+doves sate on their shoulders; who were the four queens, wives of the
+kings who bare in their hands the four swords of gold before Arthur,
+noblest of kings. There was many a maid-child with the noble queen;
+there was many a rich garment on the fair folk; there was mickle envy
+from land of many kind; for each weened to be better than other. Many
+knights anon came to the church; some for gain; some for the king;
+some to behold the women that were noble. Songs there were merry, that
+lasted very long; I ween if it had lasted seven years, the yet they
+would more, that were thereat. When the mass was sung, from church
+they thronged; the king with his folk went to his meat, with his
+mickle folk—-joy was among the people. The queen on the other side
+sought her lodging; she had of women wondrous many.
+
+When the king was set, with his men to his meat, to the king came the
+bishop Saint Dubrich, who was so good, and took from his head his rich
+crown; on account of the mickle gold the king would not it bear; and
+placed a less crown on the king's head; and afterwards he gan do to
+the queen also (likewise). In Troy this was the custom in their
+elders' days, of whom Brutus came, who were excellent men; all the men
+at their meat sate asunder by themselves, that to them seemed well
+done; and also the women their station had.
+
+When the king was set with all his people to his meat, earls and
+barons, at the king's board, then came stepping the steward, who was
+named Kay, highest knight in land under the king, of all the
+assemblage of Arthur's folk. Kay had before him many a noble man
+chosen; there were a thousand bold knights wondrous well told, that
+served the king and his chiefs; each knight had a cloth on, and
+adorned with gold, and all their fingers covered with gold rings.
+These bare the things sent from the kitchen to the king. On the other
+side was Beduer, the king's high cup-bearer, with him were earls' sons
+of noble race born, and the noble knights' sons, who were thither
+come; and seven kings' sons, that with him moved. Beduer went
+foremost, with golden bowl; after him a thousand pressed towards the
+folk, with drink of all the kinds that men could think of. And the
+queen at her end, women most fair attended; a thousand walked before
+her, rich and well choice, to serve the queen, and them that were with
+her.
+
+Was he never born, of any man chosen, clerk nor layman, in ever any
+land, that could tell it in speech of any kind, of half the wealth
+that was in Kaerleon, of silver and of gold, and good weeds; of high
+born men that dwelt among the folk; of horses, and of hawks, of hounds
+for deer, and of rich weeds, that were among the people. And of all
+the folk that dwelt there in land, the folk of this land was accounted
+the fairest of people, and also the women, comely in hue, and most
+nobly clothed, and best of all educated. For they all had in
+declaration, by their quick lives, that they would have their clothes
+of one hue. Some had white, some had red; some had eke good green; and
+variegated cloth of each kind was to them wondrous odious; and each
+ill-usage they accounted unworthy.
+
+Then had English land the best fame of all; and this country-folk eke
+was dearest to the king. The high born women that dwelt in this land
+had all declared in their sooth words, that none would take lord
+(husband) in this land, never any knight, were he nought (never) so
+well formed, unless he were thrice tried in combat, and his courage
+made known, and himself approved; then might he boldly ask him a
+bride. For that usage the knights were brave, the women excellent, and
+the better behaved; then were in Britain blisses enow.
+
+When the king had eaten, and all his people, then proceeded out of the
+burgh the thanes most bold; all the kings, and their chieftains; all
+the bishops, and all the clerks; all the earls, and all the barons;
+all the thanes, and all the swains, fairly clad, spread over the
+fields. Some they gan to ride; some they gan to race, some they gan to
+leap, some they gan to shoot, some they wrestled, and contest made;
+some they in the field played under shield; some they drove balls wide
+over the fields. Games of many a kind there they gan to play; and
+whoso might win honour of his game, men lead him with song before the
+sovereign, and the king for his game gave him gifts good. All the
+queens, that there were come, and all the ladies, leaned over the
+walls, to behold the people, and the folk play. This lasted three
+days, such games and such plays.
+
+Then on the fourth day, the king gan to speak, and gave his good
+knights all their rights; he gave silver, he gave gold; he gave
+horses, he gave land; castles eke and clothes; his men he
+pleased—-there was many a bold Briton before Arthur. But now came to
+the king new tidings! Arthur the bold king sate at a board; before him
+sate kings, and many chieftains; bishops and clerks, and knights most
+brave.
+
+There came into the hall marvellous tales!—-there came twelve thanes
+bold, clad with pall; noble warriors, noble men with weapon; each had
+on hand a great ring of gold, and with a band of gold each had his
+head encircled. Ever two and two walked together; each with his hand
+held his companion; and glided over the floor, before Arthur, so long
+that they came before Arthur, the sovereign. They greeted Arthur anon
+with their noble words: "Hail be thou, Arthur king, darling of
+Britons; and hail be thy people, and all thy lordly folk! We are
+twelve knights come here forthright, rich and noble; we are from Rome.
+Hither we are come from our emperor, who is named Luces, who ruleth
+Rome-people. He commanded us to proceed hither, to Arthur the king,
+and bade thee to be greeted with his grim words, and saith that he is
+astonished, wondrously much, where thou tookest the mood in this
+middle-earth, that thou darest of Rome oppose any doom (will), or
+heave up thine eyes against our ancestors; and who dared it thee to
+counsel, that thou art so doughty become, that thou darest threaten
+the lord of dooms, Luces, the emperor, highest of men alive! Thou
+boldest all thy kingdom in thine own hand, and wilt not serve the
+emperor of the land; of the same land that Julius had in hand, who in
+former days won it with fight; and thou it hast retained in thy power;
+and with thy bold knights deprivest us of our rights. But say us,
+Arthur, soon, and send word to Rome; we shall thine errand bear to
+Luces our emperor, if thou wilt acknowledge that he is king over thee,
+and if thou wilt his man become, and acknowledge him for lord, and do
+right to the emperor on account of Frolle the king, whom thou slewest
+with wrong at Paris, and now holdest all his land with un-right in thy
+hand. If thou within these twelve weeks turn to the right, and if thou
+wilt of Rome any doom suffer, then mightest thou live, among thy
+people. And if thou wilt not do so, thou shalt receive worse, for the
+emperor will come here, as king shall to his own, king most keen; and
+take thee with strength, lead thee bound before Rome-folk;--then must
+thou suffer what thou erst despisedest!"
+
+At these words the Britons leapt from the board; there was Arthur's
+court exceedingly enraged; and swore mickle oath, upon our mighty
+Lord, that they all were (should be) dead, who this errand bare; with
+horses drawn in pieces, death they should suffer. There leapt towards
+them the Britons exceeding wrath; tore them by the hair, and laid them
+to the ground. There were (would have been) the Romanish men pitifully
+treated, if Arthur had not leapt to them, as if it were a lion; and
+said these words--wisest of all Britons!--"Leave ye, leave quickly
+these knights alive! They shall not in my court suffer any harm; they
+are hither ridden out of Rome, as their lord commanded them, who is
+named Luces. Each man must go where his lord biddeth him go; no man
+ought to sentence a messenger to death, unless he were so evilly
+behaved, that he were traitor of his lord. But sit ye down still,
+knights in hall; and I will me counsel of such need, what word they
+shall bear to Luces the emperor."
+
+Then sate all down, the folk on their benches, and the clamour ceased
+before the monarch. Then stood him up Arthur, noblest of kings, and he
+called to him seven sons of kings, earls and barons, and those that
+were boldest, and all the wisest men that dwelt in the folk, and went
+into a house that was fast inclosed, of old stone work--strong men it
+wrought--therein they gan to commune, his wise councillors, what
+answer he would give to Luces the emperor. When all the nobles were
+come to bench then was it all still that dwelt in the hall; there was
+great awe with the mighty king; durst there no man speak, least the
+king would it punish.
+
+Then stood there up Cador, the earl most rich here, and said these
+words before the rich king: "I thank my Lord, who formed the daylight,
+to abide (have abode) this day, that is arrived to the folk, and this
+tiding that is come to our king; so that we need no more lie here
+inert! For idleness is evil in each land; for idleness maketh man lose
+his manhood; idleness maketh knight lose his rights; idleness causeth
+many wicked crafts; idleness destroyeth many thousand men; through
+idle deeds little men well-speed. For long we have lain still; our
+honour is the less! But now I thank the Lord, who formed the daylight,
+that the Romanish folk are so fierce, and make their threat to come to
+our burghs, our king to bind, and to Rome him bring. But if it is
+sooth that men say, as people it tell, that the Romanish people are so
+fierce, and are so bold, and so mischievous, that they will now come
+into our land, we shall prepare for them rueful tales; their
+fierceness shall turn to themselves to sorrow. For never loved I long
+peace in my land; for through peace we are bound, and well nigh all in
+swoon."
+
+That heard Walwain, who was Arthur's relative, and angered him much
+with Cador, who said these words; and thus answered Walwain the good:
+"Cador, thou art a powerful man; thy counsels are not good; for good
+is peace and good is amity, whoso freely therewith holdeth, and God
+himself it made, through his divinity; for peace maketh a good man
+work good works, for all men are the better, and the land is the
+merrier."
+
+Then heard Arthur the dispute of these knights; and thus spake the
+mighty man with his fierce folk: "Sit ye down quickly, my knights all,
+and each by his life listen my words!" All it was still that dwelt in
+the hall. Then spake the bold king to his noble folk: "My earls, my
+barons, my bold thanes, my doughty men, my dear friends; through you I
+have conquered under the sun, so that I am man most powerful, and
+fierce against my enemies; gold I have and treasure; of men I am
+ruler. I won it not alone, but we did, all clean. To many a fight I
+have led you, and ever ye were well skilled, so that many kingdoms
+stand in my hand. Ye are good knights, brave men and active; that I
+have proved in well many lands" The yet spake him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "But now ye have heard, my noble thanes, what the Romanish men
+counsel them between, and what words they send us here, into our land,
+with writ and with words, and with great wrath. Now we must bethink
+how we may with right defend our country and our great honour, against
+this powerful folk, against this Rome-people, and send them answer
+with our good words; with much wisdom send our writ to Rome, and learn
+at the emperor, for what thing he us hateth; for what thing he greets
+us with threat and with scorn Exceeding sorely it incenseth me, and
+immoderately it shameth, that he reproaches us our loss that we before
+have lost. They say that Julius Caesar won it (Britain) with combat in
+fight. With strength and with fight men do many wrongs; for Caesar
+sought Britain with bold strength. The Britons might not against him
+defend their land, but with strength they went in hand, and delivered
+him all their land; and thereafter soon all became his men. Some of
+our kin they had slain, and some with horses drawn to pieces; some
+they led bound out of this land; and thus this land won with wrong and
+with sin, and now asketh by right tribute of this land! All so we may
+do, if we it do will, through right of Belin king, and of Brenne, his
+brother, the Duke of Burgundy. These were our ancestors, of whom we
+are come; these belay Rome, and the realm all conquered, and before
+Rome the strong their hostages up hung, and afterwards they took all
+the land, and set it in their own hand, and thou ought we with right
+to besiege Rome. Now will I let remain Belin and Brenne, and speak of
+the caiser, Constantine the strong, he was Helen's son, all of Britons
+come (descended), he won Rome, and possessed the realm. Let (leave) we
+now of Constantine, who won Rome all to him, and speak of Maximian,
+who was a man most strong, he was King of Britain, he conquered
+France. Maximian the strong he took Rome in hand, and Alemaine
+(Germany) he won eke, with wondrous great strength, and all from Rome
+into Normandy. And all these were my ancestors, my noble progenitors;
+and possessed all the lands that unto Rome lay; and through such
+authority I ought to obtain Rome. They yearn of me in hand tribute of
+my land; all so will I of Rome, if I have counsel. I desire in my
+thoughts to possess all Rome; and he desireth in Britain to bind me
+most fast, and slay my Britons, with his evil attacks. But if my Lord
+grant it, who formed day and night, he shall sorely pay for his bold
+threat, and his Rome-people shall therefore perish; and I will be
+bold, wherein he now ruleth! Dwell ye now all still, I will say my
+will, no man shall do it otherwise, but it shall stand thereon. He
+desireth all, and I desire all that we both possess; have it now and
+ever who may it easier win, for now we shall prove to whom God will
+grant it!"
+
+Thus spake the bold king, that had Britain under his rule, that was
+Arthur the king, Britain's darling! His warriors sate, and to his
+words listened; some they sate still, a great while; some they made
+much communing between them; some it seemed to them good; some it
+disturbed their mood.
+
+When they had long listened to the king, then spake Howel the fair,
+noble man of Britanny, and said these words before the fierce king:
+"Lord king, hearken to me, as I ere did to thee. Thou hast said sooth
+words—may fortune be given to thee!--For it was of old said, what we
+now shall learn, in the years before what is now here found. Sibeli it
+said; her words were sooth, and set it in book, for example to folk,
+that three kings should go out of Britain, who should conquer Rome,
+and all the realm, and all the lands that thereto lie. The first was
+Belin, who was a British king; the other was Constantine, who was king
+in Britain; thou shalt be the third, that Rome shalt have. And if thou
+wilt it begin, thou shalt it win, and I will thereto help, with great
+strength, I will send over sea, to my good thanes, to my bold
+Britons—-the better we shall proceed,--I will command all, the nobles
+of Britain, by their limbs and by their lives, over all my lands, that
+they be ready soon with thee to march to Rome. My land I will set in
+pledge for silver, and all the possessions of my land for silver and
+for gold, and so we shall proceed to Rome, and slay Luces the emperor,
+and for to win thy rights, I will lead to thee ten thousand knights."
+Thus spake Howel, noblest of Britanny.
+
+When that Howel had said what seemed good to him, then spake Angel the
+king, Scotland's darling, and stood upon a bench, and both his
+brothers, that was, Loth and Urien, two most noble men. Thus said
+Angel the king to Arthur the keen: "Lord Arthur, I say to thee through
+my sooth words, the same that Howel hath spoken, no man shall it
+avoid, but we shall perform it by our quick lives! And, lord Arthur
+the noble, listen to me a while, call to thee to counsel thy earls
+rich, and all the highest that are in thy folk, and bid them say to
+thee with their sooth words, in what they will help thee thy foes to
+destroy. I will lead to thee knights of my land, three thousand
+champions brave, all chosen, ten thousand men on foot, to fight most
+good, and go we to Rome, and conquer the realm. Full greatly it may
+shame us, and full greatly it may us anger, that they should send
+messengers after tribute to our land. But so help us the Lord that
+formed the daylight, they shall pay for it with their bare life! For
+when we have Rome, and all the realm, we shall seize the lands that
+thereto he, Poille (Apuha?) and Alemaine, Lumbardy and Britanny,
+France and Normandy--then it hight Neustrie--and so we shall tame
+their immoderate mood (pride)." When the king had said then answered
+all. "Disgraced be that man that will not help thereto, with goods and
+with weapons, and with all his might!"
+
+Then was Arthur's folk sternly incensed, knights were so enraged, that
+all they gan to be agitated. When Arthur had heard the clamour of his
+folk, then gan he call--the king was angry--"Sit ye down still,
+knights in hall, and I will you tell what I will do. My writs I will
+make, that shall be well indited, and send to the emperor minds sorrow
+and mickle care, and I will full soon fare into Rome. I will not
+thither any tribute bring, but the emperor I will bind, and afterwards
+I will him hang; and all the land I will destroy, and all the knights
+put to death, that stand against me in fight!"
+
+Arthur took his writ in hand, with hostile words, and delivered it to
+the men, that had brought the errand, and afterwards he caused them to
+be clothed with each pomp, with the noblest garments that he had in
+bower, and bade them fare soon to Luces of Rome, and he would come
+after them as quickly as he might.
+
+These twelve went their way toward their land; were in no land knights
+so bedecked with silver and with gold, nor through all things so well
+arrayed as these were by Arthur the king. Thus Arthur them treated,
+all for their words! These twelve knights proceeded until they came to
+Rome; they greeted their emperor, their sovereign: "Hail be thou,
+Luces, thou art highest over us! We were with the fierce man, with
+Arthur the king, we have brought thee writs, words exceeding great
+Arthur is the keenest man that we ever looked on, and he is wondrous
+powerful, and his thanes are bold, there is every knave as if he were
+knight, there is every swain as if he were rich thane, there are the
+knights as if it were kings, meat there is most abundant, and men most
+bold, and the fairest women that dwell alive; and Arthur the bold
+himself fairest over all! By us he sendeth word to thee, that he will
+come to this land, no tribute he will bring, but thyself he will bind,
+and afterwards he will thee hang, and this land all destroy, and take
+Alemaine and Lumbardy, Burgundy, France, and Normandy. And Frolle he
+slew, his foe, so he will to us all do, and possess himself alone the
+land that we own all clean, hereto he will lead kings, earls, and
+chieftains. And here we have in hand the writs that he thee sendeth
+that telleth thee what he will do, when he cometh in hither."
+
+When the errand was said, the emperor was a full sorrowful man, and
+all the Rome-folk were stirred with strong wrath. Oft they went to
+counsel, oft they went to communing, ere to them might be determined
+what they would do. Nevertheless at the end a counsel they found, that
+was through the senator, who held the senate, the emperor they
+counselled that he should write letters, and send his messengers over
+many kingdoms, and bid them all come soon to Rome, from every land,
+who loved them aught, and all that willeth with fight obtain land or
+goods. Folk there came soon to the burgh of Rome, so mickle as there
+never ere any man assembled! They said that they would march over
+Muntgiu, and fight with Arthur, wheresoever they him found, and Arthur
+slay or hang, and his host all destroy, and possess for the emperor
+Arthur's realm.
+
+The first king that there came, he was a man exceeding keen, Epistrod,
+king of Greece; Ethion, Duke of Boeotia, came with a great force;
+Irtac, King of Turkey; Pandras, King of Egypt; of Crete the King
+Ypolite; of Syria the King Evander; of Phrygia the Duke Teucer; of
+Babylon, Maptisas; of Spain the Caiser Meodras; of Media the King
+Boccus; of Libia the King Sextorius; of Bitunia, Pollidices; of Ituria
+the King Xerxes; Ofustesar, King of Africa; was there no king his
+like; with him came many an African; of Ethiopia he brought the
+black-men. The Rome-people themselves marched them together, that were
+at nearest, of Rome the noblest; Marcus, Lucas, and Catel, Cocta,
+Gaiut, and Metel; these were the six, who the Senate all ruled.
+
+When this folk was assembled, from lands of many kind, then caused the
+emperor all the host to be numbered. Then were there told right, to
+fight most bold, four hundred thousand knights in the heap
+(assemblage), with weapons and with horses, as behoveth to knights.
+Never was he born, in every any burgh, that might tell the folk, that
+there went on foot! Before harvest-day forth they gan to march, ever
+right the way that toward Muntgiu lay.
+
+Let us now leave this host a while, and speak we of Arthur, noblest of
+kings, when that he had besought his good thanes, and each had gone
+home where he had land. And soon again came the knights in assemblage,
+with weapons well provided, through all their might, of Scotland, of
+Ireland, of Gutland, of Iceland, of Norway, of Denmark, of Orkney, of
+Man; of these same lands are a hundred thousand brave thanes, all well
+weaponed in their country's wise. They were not all knights, nor in
+this wise arrayed, but they were the keenest men that any man knew,
+with great battle-axes, and with long saexes. Of Normandy, of Anjou,
+of Britain, of Poitou, of Flanders, of Boulogne, of Lorraine, of
+Lovaine, came a hundred thousand to the king's host, knights with the
+best, completely provided with weapons. There came the twelve
+companions that France should obey; twelve thousand knights they
+brought forthright; and of this land Arthur took in hand fifty
+thousand knights, keen and brave men in battle. Howel of Brittany led
+ten thousand of his land-folk, knights with the best. Of footmen; when
+they forth marched, through no kind of speech could any man them
+number!
+
+Arthur then ordered, noblest of kings, the folk to be assembled at a
+set time, by their bare life, at Barbefleote; and there he would
+gather his good people. This land he delivered to a famous knight; he
+was Walwain's brother, there was no other; he was named Modred,
+wickedest of men; truth he had none to ever any man; he was Arthur's
+relation, of his noble race; but knight he was wondrous good, and he
+had very much pride; he was Arthur's sister's son; to the queen was
+his resort--that was evilly done—-to his uncle he did treachery. But
+it was all secret, in host and in hall, for no man it weened, that it
+should be, but men in sooth weened him, because Walwain was his
+brother, the truest man of all that came to the folk; through Walwain
+was Modred by men the more beloved, and Arthur the keen full well was
+pleased with him. He took all his kingdom, and set it to Modred in
+hand, and Wenhaver, his queen, worthiest of women, that then in this
+nation dwelt in land. Arthur gave to them all that he possessed, to
+Modred and the queen--that to them was pleasing. That was evilly done,
+that they were (should have been) born; this land they destroyed with
+numerous sorrows; and themselves at the end the Worse gan disgrace (or
+destroy), so that they there lost their lives and their souls, and
+ever afterwards became odious in every land, so that never any man
+would offer a good prayer for their souls, on account of the treachery
+that he did to Arthur, his uncle. All that Arthur possessed he gave to
+Modred, his land and his people, and his dear queen; and afterwards he
+took his army of folk most fair, and marched full soon toward
+Southampton.
+
+There came numerous ships soon sailing over the wide sea, to the
+king's folk; the king distributed the folk over the long ships; by
+thousands and by thousands to the ships they thronged; the father wept
+on the son, sister on the brother; mother on the daughter, when the
+host departed. The weather stood at will, the wind waxed in hand;
+anchors they up drew, joy was among the folk. The thanes wondrous
+blithe wound their way into the wide sea, the ships thereforth
+pressed, the glee-men there sung; sails there they hoist, ropes there
+they right; weather they had softest of all, and the sea slept. For
+the softness (calm) Arthur gan to sleep; as the king slept a dream he
+dreamt; marvellous was the dream, the king it alarmed!
+
+When the king him awoke, greatly he was frightened, and began to groan
+with loud voice. Was there none so bold knight under Christ, who durst
+ask the king of his welfare, ere the king himself spake, and
+discoursed with his barons there, and thus Arthur him said, when he
+awoke from his sleep: "Lord governor Christ, ruler of dooms, protector
+of middle-earth, comforter of men through thy merciful will, ruler of
+angels; let thou my dream turn to good!" Then spake Angel the king,
+Scotland's darling: "Lord, say us thy dream, for prosperity is given
+to us" "Blithely," quoth the king, "to bliss may it turn! Where I lay
+in slumber, and I gan for to sleep, methought that in the welkin came
+a marvellous beast, eastward in the sky, and loathsome to the sight;
+with lightning and with storm sternly he advanced; there is in no land
+any bear so loathly. Then came there westward, winding with the
+clouds, a burning dragon; burghs he swallowed, with his fire he
+lighted all this land's realm; methought in my sight that the sea gan
+to burn of light and of fire, that the dragon carried. This dragon and
+the bear, both together, quickly soon together they came; they smote
+them together with fierce assaults, flames flew from their eyes as
+firebrands! Oft was the dragon above, and eftsoons beneath;
+nevertheless at the end high he gan rise, and he flew down right with
+fierce assault, and the bear he smote, so that he fell to the earth;
+and he there the bear slew, and limbmeal him tore. When the fight was
+done, the dragon back went. This dream I dreamt, where I lay and
+slept."
+
+The bishops heard this, and book-learned men; this heard earls, this
+heard barons; each by his wit said wisdom, and this dream they
+interpreted, as to them best seemed. There durst no knight to evil
+expound no whit, lest he should lose his limbs that were dear to him.
+Forth they gan to voyage exceeding quickly; the wind stood to them at
+will, weather best of all; they had all that to them was need; to land
+they came at Barbefleot. To Barbefleot, at Constantin, therein came a
+mickle multitude, from all the lands that Arthur had in hand. So soon
+as they might, out of ship they moved, the king ordered his folk to
+seek lodging, and the king would rest, until his folk came. He was not
+there but one night, that a fair knight came to him; he told tiding to
+Arthur the king, he said that there was arrived a monster, westward
+from Spain; a fiend well loathsome; and in Britanny was busy to harm.
+By the seaside the land he wasted wide--now it hight Mount Saint
+Michel--the land he possesseth every part.--"Lord king," quoth the
+knight, "in sooth I make known to thee right here, he hath taken away
+thy relative, with great strength, a nobly born woman, Howel's
+daughter choice, who was named Helen, noblest of maidens. To the mount
+he carried her, noblest of maidens; now full a fortnight the fiend
+hath holden her there right; we know not in life whether he have her
+not to wife. All the men that he seizeth, he maketh to him for meat,
+cattle, horses, and the sheep, goats, and the swine eke; all this land
+he will destroy, unless thou allay our care, the land and this people;
+in thee is our need." Yet said the knight to the monarch: "Seest thou,
+lord, the mount, and the great wood, wherein the fiend dwelleth that
+destroyeth this people? We have fought with him well many times; by
+sea and by land this folk he destroyed; our ships he sank, the folk he
+all drowned, those that fought on the land, those he down laid. We
+have driven (suffered) that so long, that we let him alone, to act how
+so he will, after his will, the knights of this land dare not with him
+any more fight."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of all kings; he called to him the Earl
+Kay, who was his steward and his relative; Beduer eke to him he
+called, he who was the king's cup-bearer. He bade them forth-right be
+all ready at midnight, with all their weapons, to go with the king, so
+that no man under Christ should know of their journey, except Arthur
+the king, and the two knights with him, and their six swains, brave
+men and active; and the knight that counselled it to the king should
+lead them. At the midnight, when men were asleep, Arthur forth him
+went, noblest of all kings. Before rode their guide, until it was
+daylight; they alighted from their steeds, and righted their weeds.
+Then saw they not far a great fire smoke, upon a hill, surrounded by
+the sea-flood; and another hill there was most high; the sea by it
+flowed full nigh, thereupon they saw a fire that was mickle and most
+strong. The knights then doubted, to whether of the two they might go,
+that the giant were not aware of the king's movement. Then Arthur the
+bold took him to counsel, that they should go together near the one
+fire; and if they there him found, kill him to death. Forth went the
+king, so that he came near; nought he there found but a mickle fire
+there burning. Arthur went about, and his knights by his side; nought
+they found alive upon earth but the great fire, and bones innumerable;
+by estimation it seemed to them thirty fother. Arthur then knew not
+any good counsel, and began him to speak to Beduer, his earl:--
+"Beduer, go quickly down from this hill, and pass thee over the deep
+water, with all thy weeds; and with wisdom advance to the fire; and go
+thou aside, and behold diligently, if thou mayest find ought of the
+fiend. And if thou mayest him perceive, in wise of any kind, go down
+still, until thou come to the water, and say me there soon what thou
+hast seen. And if it so befalleth, that thou come to the fire, and the
+fiend thee perceive, and proceed toward thee, have my good horn, that
+all with gold is adorned, and blow it with strength, as man shall for
+need. And advance thee to the fiend, and begin to fight, and we shall
+come to thee, as most quickly we may do it. And if thou findest him
+near the fire and thou all unperceived back mayest go; then forbid I
+thee, by thy bare life, that thou ever with the monster begin fight."
+
+Beduer heard what his lord said to him; his weapons he put him on, and
+forth he went, and ascended up the mount that was immense. He bare in
+his hand a spear exceeding strong; a shield on his back, ornamented
+all with gold; a helm on his head, high, of steel; his body was
+covered with a fair burny; he had by his side a brand all of steel;
+and forth he gan step, the powerfully strong earl, until he arrived
+near the fire; and he under a tree gan him tarry. Then heard he one
+weep, wondrously much, weep and whine with piteous cries. Then the
+knight weened that it were the giant, and he became incensed as if it
+were a wild boar, and soon forgot what his lord said to him. His
+shield he drew on his breast, his spear he grasped fast, and near gan
+wend toward the fire; he thought to find the stern fiend, that he
+might fight, and prove himself. Then found he there a woman shaking
+with her head, a hoary-locked wife, who wept for her wretchedness; she
+cursed her lot that she was alive; that sate by the fire, with piteous
+cries, and sat and ever she beheld a grave, and said her words with
+plaintive voice: "Alas! Helen; alas! dear maid; alas! that I thee fed,
+that I thee fostered; alas! that the monster hath thee here thus
+destroyed; alas! that I was born; my limbs he hath broken in pieces!"
+
+Then looked the woman about, where the giant should arrive; and looked
+on the Earl Beduer, who was come there. Then said the woman hoar,
+where she sate by the fire: "What are thou, fair wight? art thou
+angel, art thou knight? are thy wings hung with gold? If thou art from
+heaven, thou mayest in safety go hence, and if thou art earthly
+knight, harm thou wilt have forth-right. For now anon cometh the
+monster that all thy limbs will draw in pieces; though thou wert all
+steel, he would thee destroy, every bit. He went to Britanny, to the
+best of all mansions, to Howel's castle, noble man in Britanny; the
+gates he all brake in pieces, and within he gan wend. He took the hall
+wall, and pulled it to ground; the chamber's door he cast down, so
+that it burst in five; he found in the chamber the fairest of all
+maids; Helen she was named, of noble race; Howel's daughter, noble man
+of Britanny, Arthur's relative of most noble lineage. I was her
+foster-mother, and fair her fostered. There the giant took us forth
+with himself, fifteen miles, into this wild wood, hither to this same
+place; thus he us treated to-day a sen'night. So soon as he hither
+came, so he took the maid; he would have carnal intercourse with the
+maiden. Age had she no more but fifteen years; the maiden might not
+endure his force; anon so he lay with her, her life she lost soon! And
+here he her buried, fairest of all maids, Helen, mine own foster,
+Howel's daughter! When he had this done, so myself he took; on the
+ground he me laid, and lay with myself. Now hath he all my bones
+loathsomely broken; my limbs all dismembered; my life to me is odious!
+Now I have thee told, how we are led here. Flee now quickly, least he
+thee find; for if he cometh enraged, with his direful onsets, was he
+never born that may stand thee before!"
+
+Even with these words that the woman said, Beduer gan to comfort her
+with fair words: "Dear mother, I am a man, and knight am brave; and I
+will say thee through my sooth words, that no champion was born of
+ever any lady, that man may not with strength stoop him to ground; and
+serve thee an old woman--very little are thy powers. But have now very
+goodday, and I will go my way."
+
+Down went him Beduer to his sovereign, and told him how he had care,
+and all how he had fared, and what the old woman told him of the
+maiden, and how the giant each day by the old woman lay. There they
+them between held their communing, how they might take on, so that the
+fiend were destroyed.
+
+The while arrived the giant, and proceeded to his fire; he bare upon
+his back a great burthen, that was twelve swine, tied together, with
+withies exceeding great wreathed altogether. Adown he threw the dead
+swine, and himself sate thereby; his fire he gan mend, and great trees
+laid thereon; the six swine he drew in pieces, and ever he to the
+woman smiled, and soon by a while he lay by the woman. But he knew not
+of the tiding that came to his lemman. He drew out his embers; his
+flesh he gan to roast; and all the six swine he gan eat ere he arose
+from his seat, all besmeared in the ashes—-evil were the viands; and
+afterwards he gan to roar, and vociferated much, and down lay by the
+fire, and stretched his limbs.
+
+Let we now the giant be, and go to the king. Arthur at the water took
+his weapons in hand, and the Earl Beduer, good knight, wise and wary;
+and the third was Kay, the king's steward and his relative. Over the
+water they came, weaponed with the best, and ascended up the hill with
+all their strength, until they arrived near the fire, where the giant
+lay and slept, and the woman sate and wept. Arthur drew him beside and
+spake to his companions; forbade them by their limbs and by their bare
+life, that none were so keen that they should come near, unless they
+saw that it were need. Beduer tarried him there, and Kay, his
+companion.
+
+Arthur gan step forth, sturdy-mooded warrior, until he came to the
+floor, where the fiend lay and slept. Ever was Arthur void of fear;
+that was manifest therein, wondrous though it seem; for Arthur might
+there have hewed the giant in pieces, slain the monster where he lay
+and slept; then would not Arthur no whit touch him in his sleep, lest
+he in future days should hear upbraiding. Then called Arthur anon,
+noblest of kings: "Arise, fiend-monster, to thy destruction! Now we
+shall avenge the death of my relative!"
+
+Ere the king had this fully said, the giant up started, and grasped
+his mickle club, and weened with the blow to dash Arthur all in
+pieces; but Arthur drew his shield high above his helm; and the giant
+smote thereon above, so that all it gan to shiver. And Arthur struck
+at him in haste with his sword, and smote off him the chin, with all
+the hair, and started him behind a tree, that there stood near; and
+the giant smote after quickly, and hit him not, but he smote the tree,
+so that his club brake all in pieces. And Arthur quickly ran round
+about the tree; and so Arthur and the monster ran round it thrice
+about. Then was the giant exceeding heavy, and Arthur was the swifter,
+and overtook the giant, and up heaved his good brand, and smote from
+him the thigh; and the giant down fell.
+
+And Arthur stopt and beheld; then gan the fiend to speak: "Lord, lord,
+give me peace; who is it that fighteth with me? I weened not that any
+man in this world's realm might me thus lightly defeat in fight,
+except it were Arthur, noblest of all kings; and nevertheless was I
+never of Arthur sore afraid." Then said Arthur to him, noblest of
+kings: "I am Arthur the king, Britain's darling. Tell me of thy race,
+and where is their habitation; and who should be to thee father or
+mother accounted on earth; and from what land thou art hither arrived;
+and why thou hast destroyed with murder my relative?" Then answered
+the fiend, where he lay and beheld: "All this I will do, and thy troth
+receive, on condition that thou let me live, and heal my limbs."
+Arthur him wrathed, wondrously much; and he called Beduer, his bold
+champion: "Go near, Beduer, and take off from him here the head; and
+carry it forth with thee, down from this mount." Beduer came near, and
+deprived him of his head; and so they proceeded thence down to their
+companions. Then sate the king down, and gan him rest; and said these
+words Arthur the good: "Never fought I any such fight, upon this land,
+but when I slew the King Riun, upon the mount of Ravin!"
+
+Afterwards they forth went, and came to the host; when that they the
+head saw, wondrous it seemed to them, wherever under heaven were such
+head begotten! Howel of Britanny came to the king, and the king said
+to him all of the maiden. Then was Howel sorry, and sorrowful
+therefore in heart; and took all his companions, and fared to the
+mount where the British maid lay buried in earth. He caused there to
+be areared soon a church most fair, in Saint Mary's name, the Lord's
+mother; and afterwards he gave a name to the hill, ere he thence
+departed, and named it Helen's Tomb,--now it hight Mount Saint Michel.
+
+Then was Arthur's host numerously collected; from Ireland, from
+Scotland, thither were they come. Then caused the king the trumpets to
+be blown in the host, and marched from Britain, busy men and keen,
+throughout Normandy, that then hight Neustrie. They proceeded
+throughout France, and the folk marched after them; they went out of
+France into Burgundy. His spies there came, and held his companions;
+and made known to the king, there in the country, that Luces the
+emperor, and all his Romanish host, thitherward they came, out of
+their land, and so they would march in toward France; and all the land
+conquer; and afterwards proceed hither, and kill all the Britons,
+quick that they found, and Arthur the keen led bound to France. Then
+was enraged the boldest of all kings, and ordered all his tents to be
+pitched in the fields; and there he would abide until he the sooth
+knew, where he might the emperor certainly intercept (or hostilely
+engage). The water hight Albe, where the bold king lay. A wise knight
+there came riding to the king's host, who was all wounded, and his
+folk greatly felled; the Romanish men had bereaved him of all his
+land. He told to the king new tiding, where the emperor lay, and all
+his Romanish army, and where he might him find, if he him would with
+him fight, or make peace with the Romanish men. "But, lord Arthur,"
+quoth the knight, "I will shew to thee here right, that better for
+thee is it to have friendship, than for to fight; for against thy two
+they have twelve; so many kings, so many chieftains! He is in no land
+who may it make known to thee, for all the folk, that followeth the
+emperor, without (besides) the Rome-people, of his own territory, and
+without the folk that yearn the king's favour."
+
+When the tales were all told, and Arthur had them understood, then
+called the king forth-right his dearest knights, and they counselled
+them between a castle to arear, beside the water that Albe was named.
+On a spot exceeding fair it was built full soon, there helped many a
+hand, in haste was it done; for if Arthur mis-fared, when he came to
+the fight, or his folk fell, or set to flight, then thought he to
+remain in the strong castle. Then called he earls twain, noble men and
+wise; high men born, to the king exceeding dear; the one was of
+Chartres, and hight Gerin--much wisdom dwelt with him; the other hight
+Beof of Oxford--well wide sprang the earl's fame. The yet the king
+called Walwain, who was his dearest relative; for Walwain understood
+Romanish; Walwain understood British; he was nurtured in Rome well
+many winters. The king took these three knights fair, and to the
+emperor them sent, and bade him with his army go back to Rome, and
+that he never into France his host should lead. "And if thou thither
+marchest, and leadest thine host, thou shalt be received to thy
+destruction! For France is mine own land, and I won it with fight; and
+if thou wilt not relinquish, that thou wilt not hither come, go we two
+to the fight, and fall the worst; and let we the poor folk dwell in
+quiet. For whilom the Rome-people conquered all the land, and
+afterwards they losed the land with fight; and I with fight it won,
+and with fight will hold."
+
+Forth the knights went, goodly champions; that was, Gerin, and Beof
+the fair, and Walwain the bold, cuirassed and helmeted on their noble
+steeds; and each carried on his shoulder a shield exceeding good; they
+bare in their hands spears most strong. Forth they gan ride, noble
+men, from the host; much of the folk that with Arthur dwelt, with
+Walwain went, and earnestly prayed him, that he should raise some
+dispute with the Rome-folk:--"That we may with fight prove ourselves;
+for it is many years that (since) their threats came here; and their
+menace they make, that they will us behead. Now is it much folk-shame,
+if it thus shall allay, unless there be some strife ere we become
+reconciled; shafts broken in pieces, burnies torn, shields shivered,
+warriors hewed, and swords bathed in the red blood." Forth the earls
+proceeded through a great wood, and marked a way that over a mount
+lay, so that they came soon to the folk of Rome; worthily weaponed
+they rode on their horses. There men might behold, the man who were
+beside, many thousands throng out of the tents, all to behold these
+three bold knights, and beheld their steeds, and beheld their weeds,
+and hearkened tidings from Arthur the king. And next forthright
+questioned the knights, and if the king had sent them to the emperor,
+for to speak with the emperor, and to yearn his peace. But for never
+any speech these three noble earls would abide, ere they came riding
+before the tent's door, wherein was the emperor. Down they gan alight,
+and delivered their steeds; and so they weaponed with all advanced
+into the tent, before the emperor that Luces was named. Where he sate
+on his bed their errand they to him made known; each said his say as
+to him seemed best, and bade him go back to his land, so that he never
+more with hostility should seek France. The while that these three
+earls said their errand, the emperor sate as if he were dumb, and
+answer never any gave to these earls; but he listened eagerly, wicked
+in his thought. Then Walwain became angry, as a thane enraged; and
+said these words Walwain the keen: "Luces the mighty, thou art emperor
+of Rome! We are Arthur's men, noblest of Britons. He sendeth to thee
+his messengers, without greeting; he bids thee march to Rome, that is
+thine own realm, and let him hold France, that he won with fight; and
+hold thou thy realm, and thy Rome-folk. Whilom thy ancestors invaded
+France; with fight they there won immense possessions; so awhile they
+there lived, and afterwards they it lost. With fight Arthur it won,
+and he it will possess. He is our lord, we are his warriors; he
+ordered us to say sooth to thyself, if thou wilt not back march, thy
+bane he will be. And if thou wilt not back turn, but execute thy will,
+and thou wilt win the kingdom to thine own hand, now to-morrow is the
+day, have it if thou it may obtain"
+
+Then answered the emperor, with great wrath: "I will not back march,
+but France I will win; my ancestors it held, and I will it have. But
+if he would become my man, and acknowledge me for lord, and truely
+serve me, and hold me for master, I will make peace with him, and all
+his men; and let him hold Britain, that Julius had awhile in his hand,
+and many other lands, that Julius had in hand, that he hath no right
+to, though he possess the realm, that he shall all lose, unless he
+make peace."
+
+Then answered Walwain, who was Arthur's relative: "Belin and Brenne,
+both the brothers, Britain they possessed, and France they conquered;
+and afterwards they marched soon, and won Rome, and there they dwelt
+afterwards well many years. When this was all done, then was Brenne
+emperor, and ruled Rome, and all the people. And thus is Rome our
+right, that thou holdest in hand, and if we may live, we will it have,
+unless thou wilt acknowledge that Arthur is king over thee, and each
+year send him tribute of thy land; and if thou goest to him in amity,
+thou mayest live the quieter!"
+
+Then sate by the emperor a knight of his kin, named Quencelin; noble
+man in Rome. This knight answered before the emperor, and thus him
+said--the knight was wicked:--"Knights, return you back, and make
+known to your king, that the Britons are bold, but they are accounted
+worthless; for ever they make boast--their honour is little!" More he
+thought to say, when Walwain drew his sword, and smote him upon the
+head, so that it fell in two, and he hastily anon ran to his horse;
+and they up leapt with grim countenance; and these words said Walwain
+the good: "So help me the same Lord, that formed the daylight, if ever
+any of your men is so keen, that after us he pursue, I will him kill,
+he shall be cut in pieces with my broad sword!" Even with the same
+speech then called the emperor: "Hold them! hold! They all shall hang
+upon high trees, or with horses be drawn in pieces!" Even with this
+saying that the emperor said, the earls gan to ride, and spurred their
+steeds; they shook in their hands spears exceeding long; bare their
+broad shields before breast. Soon gan to ride the bold earls, and ever
+the emperor loud gan to Call: "Seize them! slay them! They have us
+disgraced!" There men might hear, who were there beside, thousands of
+the people call: "Hither, hither, weapons! Go we after them! Hither
+our shields; the men will escape!" Soon after them went weaponed
+warriors; there six, there seven, there eight, there nine. And ever
+the earls rode quickly, and ever awhile looked behind them; and ever
+the knights of Rome quick after came.
+
+And there came near a knight, riding swiftest of all, and ever he
+called most keenly: "Turn again, knights, and defend you with fight!
+It is to you much shame, that ye will fly." Walwain knew the shout of
+the Romanish men; he turned his steed, and to him gan ride; and smote
+him through with the spear, as if he were spitted, and drew to him the
+spear--the man died soon--and these words said Walwain the keen:
+"Knight, thou rodest too fast; better were it to thee (haddest thou
+been) at Rome!" Marcel hight the knight, of noble lineage. When
+Walwain saw that he fell to ground, soon his sword he out drew, and
+smote from Marcel the head; and these words said Walwain the good:
+"Marcel, go to hell, and there tell them tales, and dwell there for
+ever, with Quencelin, thy companion; and hold there your
+communing,--better it were to you in Rome; for thus we shall teach you
+our British speech!"
+
+Gerin saw how it fared, how that the Romanish lay there down; and
+spurred his horse, and met another, and smote him throughout with his
+spear, and these words spake: "Ride now so, Roman, and sink thee to
+hell, and thus we shall sink you, if God will us help! Threat is worth
+nought, unless there be deeds eke!" Beof saw, the brave man, how his
+comrades had done; and turned his horse wondrously quick, and with all
+his might advanced to a knight, and smote him above the shield, so
+that his good burny burst, and throughout the neck the spear drove
+full soon. And thus the earl gan to call keenly to his companions:
+"The Britons will us destroy, if we hence go, unless we the better
+begin ere we hence depart!" Even with the speech that the earl said,
+they turned them soon, wondrously prompt; and each drew his sword
+quickly, and each slew his Roman; and afterwards their horses they
+turned, and held their way. And the Romanish men rode ever after them;
+oft they smote on them, oft they them reproached; oft they said to
+them: "Ye shall pay for the deed!" but they might not through anything
+any of them down bring, nor any harm there do to them in the
+conflicts. But ever awhile the earls back turned, and ere they
+separated, the worse was to the Rome-folk.
+
+Thus they proceeded fifteen miles, until they came to a place under a
+fair wood, hard by the castle where Arthur lay fast. Three miles
+therefrom to the wood thronged nine thousand bold Britons, whom Arthur
+thither sent, who best knew the land; they would learn the sooth, of
+Walwain the keen, and of his companions, how they had fared; whether
+they were alive, or they lay by the way. These knights proceeded
+through the wood wondrously still, upon a hill, and eagerly beheld.
+They caused all the horsemen to alight in the wood, and get ready
+their weapons, and all their weeds (garments), except an hundred men,
+that there should look out, if they might descry through thing of any
+kind. Then saw they afar, in a great plain, three knights ride with
+all their main. After the three knights there came thirty; after the
+thirty they saw three thousand; thereafter came thronging thirty
+thousand anon, of Romanish folk, clad in armour. And ever the earls
+before them quickly rode, ever the right way that toward the wood lay,
+where their comrades were well hid. The earls rode to the wood; the
+Romanish men rode after; the Britons attacked them on their rested
+steeds, and smote in front, and felled an hundred anon. Then weened
+the Rome-folk that Arthur came riding, and were very greatly afraid;
+and the Britons pursued after them, and slew of the folk fifteen
+hundred. Then came them to help sixteen thousand of their own folk,
+whom Arthur had thither sent, bold Britons, with burnies clad.
+
+Then came there riding one that was a rich earl, named Petreius, a
+noble man of Rome, with six thousand warriors, to help the Romanish
+forces; and with great strength they leapt to the Britons, and few
+there they captured, but many they slew. The Britons fled to the wood;
+the others pursued after them; and the Britons on foot firmly against
+them stood, and the Romanish men fought riding; and the Britons
+advanced to them, and slew their horses, and many there took, and into
+the wood drew. Then was Petreius wrath, that his force was there the
+worse; and he with his host retreated from the wood; and the Britons
+followed them, and slew them behind. When the Britons were out of the
+wood, come out in the field, then withstood the Rome-folk with fierce
+strength. Then began the mickle fight!—there fell earls and many a
+good knight; there fell in that day fifteen thousand of noble men, ere
+it were even. There might he find, whoso would prove his strength,
+hand against hand, the strong against the strong, shield against
+shield, knights there fell! The paths ran with bloody streams;
+goldcoloured shields lay over the fields; all the day long they held
+the strong fight. Petreius on this side his folk held together; then
+it soon happened that the Britons had the worse. The noble Earl of
+Oxford, who was named Beof, a noble British man, saw that, that in no
+wise might it be, that the Britons should not fall, unless they had
+counsel. The earl then called to him noble knights, of the best of
+all, the Britons, and of the keenest of all, that there were alive,
+and drew him in the field, near the host; and thus him said—in heart
+to him was uneasiness: "Knights, hearken now to me; the Lord us help!
+We are hither come, and have undertaken this fight, without Arthur's
+counsel who is our chief. If to us good befalleth, we shall please him
+the better, and if to us befalleth evil, he will hate us. But if ye
+will do my counsel, then shall we ride all merry. We are three hundred
+knights, helmed thanes, brave men and keen, nobly born; shew ye your
+courage—-we are of one kith--ride ye when I ride, and follow my
+counsel. Advance ye all to him, to the knight that I do; take ye no
+steed, nor any knight's weed, but every good knight slay ever
+downright!"
+
+Even with the words that the knight of Oxford said to his companions
+beside, then gan he to ride, even all they rode then as swift as hound
+driveth the hart, and his comrades after, with all their might,
+throughout the mickle fight, all the troop; they flew on their steeds;
+the folk they there killed. Woe was to them born, that were in the way
+before them, for all they it trod down, with horses and with steeds;
+and so they came near, and Petreius they captured. Beof rode to him,
+and with arms him clasped, and drew him off his steed, and on earth
+him stretched; he knew beside him were his bold knights. The Britons
+down smote; Petreius they drew along; and the Rome-folk fought boldly;
+and at the last man might not know who smote other; there was much
+blood shed, mischief was in the conflict! Then saw Walwain truly,
+where he was beside; with seven hundred knights he gan thither move,
+and what he found in his way, all he it destroyed. And riding he took
+Petreius, on his good steed; and led forth Petreius, loath though it
+were to him, until they came to the wood, where he well knew surely to
+hold the noble man of Rome; and eft out in the field proceeded, and
+began to fight. There men might see sorrow enough! shields break;
+knights fall; helms dropping; noble men dying; bloody fields; paled
+faces! The Britons rushed towards them; then the Rome-folk fled; and
+the Britons them slew, and many they took alive; and when the day
+ended woe was to the Rome-folk, woe! Then bound men fast the Romanish
+knights, and led them to the wood, before Walwain; twenty hundred
+knights watched them in the night.
+
+When it was day on the morrow, the folk gan to stir; forth they gan
+march to their sovereign, and brought him such offering, that was lief
+to him to have. Then spake him Arthur thus: "Welcome, Petreius! Now is
+one here that will teach thee British speech. Thou boasted before the
+emperor, that thou wouldest me kill; take all my castles, and my
+kingdom; and much good should be to thee of that thou desiredest to
+have. I will give thee, full truly, my castle in Paris; and there thou
+shalt dwell, as to thee will be most loathsome of all; shalt thou
+nevermore thy life thence lead!" Arthur took the knights that there
+were captured, three hundred riders he took eke anon, who all were
+comrades, knights most brave, and keen men in fight, and bade them on
+the morrow manly arise, bind the Romanish men with strong chains, and
+lead Petreius to the burgh of Pans. Four earls he commanded to bring
+them forth; Cador, Borel, Beduer, and Richer; he ordered them to be
+companions, so that they were secure, and to come again soon to their
+sovereign.
+
+This was all thus spoken, but it was soon known. Spies went over the
+king's host, and heard say sooth words, whither Arthur would send the
+knights that he had in bonds; and the spies forthright proceeded forth
+by night, until they came soon to the emperor of Rome, and told all
+their tale, how these four earls should march, and lead forth Petreius
+to the burgh of Paris; and all they told the way that in to Paris lay,
+and where men might them intercept in a deep valley, and take from
+them Petreius the noble man, and the four earls conquer, and fast them
+bind. Luces heard this, the emperor of Rome, and he leapt to weapon as
+it were a lion; and ordered ten thousand chosen knights to horse and
+to arms, quickly forwards to march. He called Sextonus, of Lybia he
+was king, of Turkey duke; he sent after Evander, who from Babylon was
+come there; he called to the senators Bal, Catel, and Carnus,--these
+were all of royal birth, and these were all chosen,—-promptly to ride,
+and to liberate Petreius.
+
+Anon as it was even forth they marched; twelve knights them led of the
+people that were exceeding wary, and knew the ways. When the Rome-folk
+rode, resounded burnies; they set on their heads high helms; shields
+on their backs—-the valiant Rome-folk. They marched all night,
+exceedingly fast, until they came in the way that into Paris lay; then
+were they before, and the Britons behind. But alas! that Cador the
+keen knew it not, that the Rome-folk had before rode them! They came
+in a wood, in a spot exceeding fair, in a deep dale, dark on the
+sides; they swore between them, that there they would engage. There
+they lay still a little while; and it gan to dawn, and the beasts gan
+to stir. Then came Arthur's men advancing by way, right the same way
+where the other host lay; they rode singing—the men were blithe!
+Nevertheless Cador was there, most wise and most wary; he and Borel
+the earl rich, advanced them together, and took between them five
+hundred knights, and marched before, weaponed champions. Richer and
+Beduer came behind them there, and led the knights, whom they had
+captured, Petreius and his companions, who were taken. Then came they
+riding upon the Rome-folk; and the Rome-folk rushed towards them with
+fierce strength, and smote on the Britons with exceeding bitter blows;
+brake the Britons' ranks--mischief was among the folk--the wood gan
+resound, warriors there fell! The Britons withstood them, and strongly
+defended themselves. Richer heard that, and the earl Beduer, how their
+comrades before them fought. Petreius they took, and all their
+prisoners, and with three hundred swains sent them into the wood. And
+they themselves advanced toward their comrades, and smote on the
+Rome-folk with fierce strength; there was many a blow given, and many
+a man there was slain. Then perceived Evander, who was a heathen king
+most wary, that their folk gan wax, and the Britons gan wane; and his
+best knights approached them together, and advanced upon the Britons,
+as if they would them bite. The Britons then were weakened, and theirs
+was the worse; they (the Romans) slew, they took all that they came
+nigh.
+
+Woe was there to the Britons without Arthur! Their remedy was too
+little there, at their great need. There was Borel slam, and deprived
+of life-day. Evander the king him killed with his wicked craft, and
+three Britons eke, high men born. There were slain three hundred of
+their companions; and many they took alive, and fast them bound;—-then
+knew they not any good counsel, for they all weened to be dead;
+nevertheless they fought as bravely as they might.
+
+Then had out marched from Arthur's host the king of Poitou, hardy man
+renowned; Guitard he hight; Gascony he possessed; he had for
+companions five hundred riders, three hundred archers, keen men to
+fight, and seven hundred on foot that were prompt for harm. They were
+gone in to the land to obtain fodder, both fodder and meat, to carry
+to their host. The clamour they heard of the Rome-folk, their deeds
+they relinquished, and thitherward gan ride the strong mooded men and
+swift, of sloth devoid, until they came soon near to the fight.
+Guitard and his knights there right forthright grasped their shields,
+knights most bold; and all the archers pressed them beside; and the
+men on foot gan advance; and all together they on smote, with their
+smart blows. At the first onset the Romanish men fell; fifteen hundred
+to the ground; there was slain Evander, who was ere king full stern;
+Catellus of Rome forgot there his decrees! Then made they there
+flight, who ere held conflict; the Rome-folk turned the backs, and
+fled. The Britons pursued after them, and greeted them with mischief;
+and so many there they took, and so many there they slew, that the
+Britons' host might not fell any more! And the Romanish men, that
+there might escape, rode full soon to the emperor, and told him tiding
+of Arthur the king,--for they weened in sooth that Arthur thither were
+come; then was the emperor and his host greatly afraid, whom the
+Britons had slain--that to them seemed good. Backward they (the
+Britons) then went, with bold booty, and came again to the place where
+the fight had been, and buried the dead, and the alive they gan forth
+lead. And they sent after Petreius, whom they previously captured, and
+after his companions, that were previously taken, and sent them all
+full truly in to the burgh of Paris, and filled three castles, and
+fast them inclosed, after Arthur's command, noblest of all kings. All
+the Britons loved Arthur; to all of them stood dread of him that dwelt
+in the land, so did it to the emperor, of Arthur he had mickle care;
+and all the Rome-folk of Arthur were afraid.
+
+Then was it in sooth found, what Merlin whilom said, that Rome should
+for Arthur fall in fire, and the walls of stone quake and fall. This
+same token should be of Luces the emperor, and of the senators, who
+with him came from Rome; and in the same wise, they there gan fall;
+what Merlin in fore-days said, all they it found there, as they did
+ere, and subsequently well everywhere; ere Arthur were born, Merlin it
+all predicted.
+
+The emperor heard say sooth words, how his men were taken, and how his
+folk was eke slain. Then were in his army manifold sorrows; some
+lamented their friends; some threatened their enemies; some got ready
+their weapons—-mischief was given to them! Then saw Luces, that evil
+was befallen to him, for each day he lost of his people, but he the
+harm felt, his noble men he lost. He became then afraid wondrously
+much, and betook him to counsel and to some communing, that he would
+march to Aust, with all his host; forth by Lengres he would
+proceed,—-of Arthur he had mickle care!
+
+Arthur had his spies in the army of the emperor, and they soon caused
+him to know whither he (the emperor) would go. Arthur caused soon his
+host to be assembled, stilly by night his best knights; and forth the
+king marched with his good folk. On his right hand he let Lengres
+stand, and proceeded forward in the way that Luces would pass. When he
+came in a dale, under a down, there he gan halt, keenest of all
+kings,—-the dale is in sooth named Sosie. Arthur there alighted down,
+and ordered all his people that they in haste should get ready their
+weapons, and prepare them to fight, as brave knights should; so that
+when the Rome folk there should come riding, that they should attack
+them, as brave knights should do. All the swains, and the impotent
+thanes, and of the small (base) folk many thousands, the king set them
+on a hill, with many standards,--that he did for stratagem; thereof he
+thought to boast, as it afterwards happened, thereafter full soon.
+Arthur took ten thousand of his noble knights, and sent on the right
+hand, clad in armour, he caused other ten thousand to march on his
+left hand; ten thousand before; ten thousand behind, with himself he
+held sixteen thousand; aside he sent into a fair wood seventeen
+thousand good knights, well weaponed men, the wood to guard, so that
+they might fare thither, if to him were need. Then was of Gloucester
+an earl with the best, Moruith he was named, a man exceeding keen; to
+him he committed the wood and the host. "And if it befalleth, as the
+living God will, that they be overcome, and begin to flee; pursue ye
+after them, with all your might, and all that ye may overtake deprive
+it of life-day; the fat and the lean, the rich and the poor. For in
+never any land, nor in any nation are knights all so good as are with
+myself, knights all so brave, knights all so powerful, knights all so
+strong, in ever any land! Ye are under Christ knights keenest of all,
+and I am mightiest of all kings under God himself. Do we well this
+deed, God us well speed!" The knights then answered, stilly under
+heaven: "All we shall well do, and all we shall undertake; nuthing be
+the knight, that sheweth not his might here right!" Then sent they on
+both sides, all the men on foot; then caused he the Dragon to be set
+up, the matchless standard, delivered it to a king who well could it
+hold. Angel, King of Scotland, held in hand (commanded) the foremost
+troop; Cador, the Earl of Cornwall, held the troop behind; Beof had
+one, the Earl of Oxford; the Earl of Chester, Gerin, the fourth troop
+held with him. The force upon the down held AEscil, King of Denmark.
+Lot held the one, who was dear to the king, Howel of Britanny held
+another. Walwain the keen was by the king. Kay commanded one, who was
+steward of the king; Beduer another, who was the king's cup-bearer.
+The Earl of Flanders, Howeldin, had a troop with him. A mickle troop
+had Gwitard, the King of Gascony land. Wigein, Earl of Leicester, and
+Jonathas, Earl of Dorchester, they commanded the two troops that there
+were on foot. The Earl of Chester, Cursaleyn, and the Earl of Bath,
+who hight Urgein, they commanded both the troops that were there
+beside; these should on two sides advance to the fight, with these two
+earls, that brave knights were,--Arthur had troth the earls were true.
+When all the troops were set as Arthur thought good, then called to
+him the King of Britain all his councillors, that were skilfullest in
+judgment; and thus said Arthur anon to his noble men: "Hearken now
+towards me, my dear friends; ye have twice attacked the Romanish men,
+and twice they are overcome, and slain, and captured, because they all
+with wrong covet our land. And my heart saith to me, through our high
+Lord, that yet they shall be overcome, both slain and captured. Ye
+have overcome Norwegians; ye have overcome Danes, Scotland and Ireland
+ye have all won to your hand; Normandy and France ye have conquered
+with fight. Three and thirty kingdoms I hold in mine own hand, that ye
+have won for me under the sun! And these are the worst men of all men
+alive; heathen people! To God they are loathsome; our Lord they
+desert, and to Mahoun they draw. And Luces, the emperor, of God's self
+hath no care, who hath for companions heathen hounds, God's enemies;
+we shall them destroy, and lay them to ground, and ourselves be safe,
+with the Lord's will, that ruleth all deeds!" Then answered the earls
+there: "All we are ready, to live and to lie with our dear king!"
+
+When this army was all prepared, then was it daylight; and Luces at
+Langres moved, and all his Rome-folk; he commanded his men to blow his
+golden trumpets, get ready his host, for forth he would march from
+Lengres to Aust, as his way right lay. And forth gan ride the Romanish
+people, until they came a mile near to Arthur.
+
+Then heard the Rome-folk hard tidings; they saw all the dales, and all
+the downs, and all the hills covered with helms; high standards,
+warriors them held, sixty thousand waving with the wind; shields
+glitter, burnies shine; gold-coloured vests, men most stern; steeds
+leap—-the earth stirred! The emperor saw the king fare, where he was
+by the wood-shaw; then said he Luces, the lord of Rome, and spake with
+his men with loud voice: "What are these outlaws, that have preceded
+us in this way? Take we our weapons, and march we to them; they shall
+be slain, and some alive flayed, they all shall be dead, with torment
+destroyed!" Even with the words they seized their weapons. When they
+were arrayed with their good weapons, then spake soon Luces, the lord
+of Rome: "Quickly advance we to them; we all shall do well!" There
+were come with him five and twenty kings, heathen folk all, that held
+of Rome, earls and eke dukes, of the eastern world. "Lordings," quoth
+Luces then, "Mahoun be gracious to you! Ye are powerful kings, and
+obey unto Rome. Rome is my right, richest of all burghs; and I ought
+to be highest of all men alive. Ye see here on the field those who are
+our foes; they think to rule highly over our realm; hold us for base,
+and themselves become rich. But we shall oppose them with bold
+strength; for our race was highest of all men alive, and won all the
+lands that they looked on; and Julius the strong marched into Britain,
+and won to his hands many kingdoms. Now would our underlings be kings
+over us, but they shall buy it with their bare backs; never again
+shall they return to Britain!"
+
+Even with the words then moved the army; by thousands and by thousands
+they thronged together; each king prepared host of his folk. When it
+was all formed, and the army appointed, then were there right told
+full fifteen hosts; two kings there were ever comrades; four earls and
+a duke disposed them together, and the emperor by himself, with ten
+thousand champions. When the folk gan to stir, the earth gan to din;
+trumpets there blew; hosts were arrayed; horns there resounded with
+loud voice, sixty thousand blew together. More there sounded of
+Arthur's companions than sixty thousand men with horns; the welkin gan
+to din, the earth gan to tremble! Together they charged as if heaven
+would fall! First they let fly, exceedingly quick darts all as thick
+as the snow down falleth; stones they let afterwards sternly wind
+through the air. Then cracked spears; shivered spears,—-helms rolled,
+noble men fell; —-burnies brake in pieces, blood outflowed;—-the
+fields were discoloured, standards fell! Wounded knights over all
+wandered over the weald, and sixty hundred there were trodden to death
+by horses! Knights there perished, blood out ran;—-flowed by paths
+bloody streams,—-woe was among the folk,—-the harm was without bounds!
+So all as say the writings that skilful men made, that was the third
+greatest battle that ever here was fought, so that at the last no
+warrior knew on whom he should smite, and whom he should spare; for no
+man knew other there, for the quantity of blood!
+
+Then removed the fight from the place where they ere fought, and they
+began widely to rush together; and a new conflict began, narrowly
+contested;—-there were the Rome-people grievously treated! Then came
+there three kings, of heathen land; of Ethiopia was the one; the
+second was an African; the third was of Lybia, of heathen land. They
+came to the host at the east end, and brake the body-of-troops that
+the Britons there held, and anon felled fifteen hundred bold thanes of
+Arthur's folk; then the Britons turned the backs soon. But then came
+there riding two keen earls, that was, Beduer and Kay, Arthur's
+cup-bearer and his relative; their Britons they saw hewed in pieces
+with swords. There became enraged the earls most bold, and with ten
+thousand knights pressed to the fight, amid the throng, where they
+were thickest, and slew the Rome-folk very grievously; and went over
+the fight, after their will. Then were they too daring, and ruled them
+too evilly; alas! alas! that they were not then wary; that they could
+not guard themselves against their enemies! For they were too keen,
+and too presumptuous, and fought too rashly, and too far advanced, and
+spread too widely over the broad conflict. Then came the King of
+Media, the mickle and the broad; a heathen chief,—-there he harm
+wrought; he led for companions twenty thousand riders; he held in his
+hand a spear exceeding strong. The spear he forth thrust with his
+strong might, and smote the Earl Beduer before in the breast, so that
+the burny soon burst, before and behind, and his breast was opened;
+the blood came forth lukewarm. There fell Beduer anon, dead upon the
+ground; there was misery and sorrow enow! There Kay found Beduer lie
+him dead there, and Kay would carry away the body with himself; with
+twenty hundred knights he approached thereabout, and strongly fought,
+and felled the Rome-folk, and slew there many thousand men of Media;
+the fight was exceeding strong, and they were thereat long. Then
+arrived there a king most hateful, with sixty thousand good men of his
+land; Setor the keen, who came him from Lybia. There the strong king
+gan him fight with Kay, and wounded Kay sorely in the strong fight, to
+the bare death—-grievous was the deed!
+
+His knights there right carried him from the fight, with mickle
+strength through the fight they pierced. Woe was to Arthur the king
+for the tiding! That saw the rich thane, who was named Ridwathlan,
+Beduer's sister's son, of noble Britons he was descended, that Boccus
+with his strong spear had slain Beduer. Woe was to him alive, when his
+uncle was dead; for he of all men most him loved. He called knights
+most good of his kindred, and of the dearest of all that he knew
+alive; five hundred by tale advanced together. Then said Ridwathlan,
+noble man of Britain: "Knights, ye are of my kindred, come ye here to
+me, and avenge we Beduer, mine uncle, who was best of our race, whom
+Boccus hath slain with his strong spear. Go we all together, and fell
+our foes!"
+
+Even with the words he forth pushed, and all his noble companions with
+him anon; and Boccus the king they knew, where he was in the combat;
+with his spear and with his shield many a knight he killed. Ridwathlan
+drew out his sword soon, and struck at him, and smote the king on the
+helm, so that it severed in two, and eke the burny-hood, so that it
+(the sword) stopt at the teeth; and the heathen king fell to the
+ground, and his foul soul sank into hell! Ridwathlan then said--cruel
+he was in mood--"Boccus, now thou hast bought dear that Beduer thou
+slew; and thy soul shall now be companion of the Worse!" Even with the
+words, as if it were the wind, he pressed to the fight; as a whirlwind
+doth in the field, when it heaveth the dust high from the earth, all
+so Ridwathlan rushed on his enemies. All they it slew that they came
+nigh, the while that they might wield their noble weapons; in all the
+fight were no knights better, the while that the life lasted them in
+their breasts. Boccus the king they slew, and a thousand of his
+knights; then was Beduer avenged well with the best!
+
+There was a brave earl, of noble race, who was named Leir, lord of
+Boulogne; he beheld in the fight an enemy advance, that was an
+admiral, of Babylon he was prince; much folk he felled down to the
+ground. And the earl that perceived; in heart was to him uneasiness;
+he drew to his breast a broad shield, and he grasped in his hand a
+spear that was most strong, and spurred his horse with all his main,
+and hit the admiral with a smart blow under the breast, that the burny
+gan to burst, so that the spear pierced through there behind him full
+a fathom; the wretch fell to the ground! That saw soon the admiral's
+son, who is named Gecron; and grasped his spear anon, and smote Leir
+the earl sore on the left side, throughout the heart,--the earl down
+fell. Walwain perceived that, where he was in the fight; and he
+wrathed him wondrously much; that saw Howel, noble man of Brittany,
+and he thither advanced, with fifteen hundred men; hardy warriors with
+Howel went; and Walwain before them man most stern of mood; he had for
+comrades five and twenty hundred bold Britons,--then began they to
+fight!
+
+There were the Rome-folk grievously treated; Howel them attacked,
+Walwain them met; there was wondrous cry, the welkin resounded; the
+earth gan to tremble, the stones there shivered! Streams of blood ran
+from the wretched folk, the slaughter was immense, then were the
+Britons weary! Kinard, the Earl of Striguil, left the King Howel, and
+took with him Labius, Rimarc, and Boclovius. These were the keenest
+men that any king had, these were among men earls mighty strong! They
+would not, for their mickle mood (pride), follow Howel the good, but
+by themselves they slew all that they came nigh. That saw a powerful
+man of the Rome-people, how Kinard the keen killed there their folk,
+and the knight gan him alight from his dear steed, and took him in his
+hand a spear made of steel, and bathed it in blood; and he aside went,
+until he came to the spot where Kinard the strong fought. Kinard's
+burny he up raised, and he the earl there slew. Then shouted loud all
+the Rome-folk, and turned to the Britons, and brake their troops; and
+felled the standards, the folk down sank; shields there shivered,
+warriors there fell; there fell to ground fifteen thousand bold
+Britons--mischief there was rife! So lasted long the fight exceeding
+strong.
+
+Walwain gan pass over the mickle slaughter, and assembled all his
+knights, where he found them in the fight. There near came riding
+Howel the mighty; they assembled their fair folk anon, and forth they
+gan wend, and rode to the Rome-folk with strong wrath, and quickly
+approached them, and brake their French ranks. And Walwain forth
+right, there he found Luces the emperor live under shield, and Walwain
+struck at him with the steel sword, and the emperor struck at him, who
+was man exceeding stern; shield against shield, the pieces there flew;
+sword against sword clashed well often, fire flew from the steel; the
+adversaries were enraged! There was fight most strong--all the host
+was stirred! The emperor weened to destroy Walwain, that he might in
+after days boast for the deed. But the Britons thronged towards them,
+most angrily, and the Romanish men liberated their emperor; and they
+charged together as if heaven would fall! All the daylight they held
+afterwards the fight, a little while ere the sun went to ground.
+Arthur then called--noblest of all kings: "Now go we all to them, my
+brave knights! And God himself aid us our enemies to fell!"
+
+Even with the words then blew men the trumpets; fifteen thousand anon
+thronged together to blow horns and trumps; the earth gan to tremble
+for the great blast, for the mickle clamour! The Rome-folk turned
+backs to the fight; standards fell,--noble men perished,--those fled
+who might,--the fated there fell! Much man-slaughter was there; might
+it no man tell, how many hundred men were there hewed in pieces in the
+mickle throng, in the man-slaughter! The emperor was slain in strange
+manner, so that no man of ever any country afterwards ever knew it to
+say, who killed the emperor. But when the fight was all done, and the
+folk was all in joy, then found men the emperor pierced through with a
+spear.
+
+Word came to Arthur, where he was in his tent, that the emperor was
+slam, and deprived of life-day. Arthur caused a tent to be pitched,
+amidst a broad field, and thither caused to be borne Luces the
+emperor, and caused him to be covered with gold coloured clothes, and
+caused him there to be watched three full days, the while he caused to
+be made a work exceeding rich, a long chest; and it to be covered all
+with gold. And he caused to be laid therein Luces of Rome, who was a
+most doughty man, the while his days lasted. The yet did Arthur more,
+noblest of all Britons, Arthur caused to be sought all the powerful
+men, kings and earls, and the richest barons, who in the fight were
+slain, and deprived of life-day; he caused them to be buried with
+great pomp. But he caused three kings to bear Luces the emperor, and
+caused a bier to be made, rich and exceeding lofty; and caused them
+soon to be sent to Rome. And greeted all the Rome-people with a great
+taunt, and said that he sent them the tribute of his land, and eft
+would also send them more greeting, if they would yearn of Arthur's
+gold; and thereafter full soon ride into Rome, and tell them tidings
+of the King of Britain, and Rome-walls repair, that were of yore
+fallen down;--"And so will I rule the fierce Rome-folk!" All this
+boast was idly done, for otherwise it fared, all otherwise it
+happened: the people he left, through wicked tiding, all through
+Modred his relative, wickedest of all men!
+
+In the mickle fight Arthur lost of his knights, five and twenty
+thousand, hewed in pieces on the ground, of Britons most bold,
+bereaved of life. Kay was wounded sore, wondrously much; to Kinun he
+was carried, and soon thereafter he was dead. He was buried there
+beside the castle, among hermits, who was the noble man. Kay hight the
+earl, Kinun the castle, Arthur gave him the town, and he thereat was
+entombed, and set there the name after himself; for Kay's death he
+named it Kain (Caen); now and evermore so it hight there. After Beduer
+was slain, and deprived of life day, Arthur caused him to be borne to
+his castle Baeios (Bayeux), and there he was buried, in the burgh;
+without the south gate in earth men him laid. Howeldin was floated
+forth into Flanders; and all his best knights there floated
+forth-right into the earldoms whence they there came. And all the dead
+in earth men them laid; in Terouane they lie all clean.
+
+Leir, the earl, men carried into Boulogne; and Arthur then thereafter
+dwelt in a land in Burgundy, that to him seemed best; the land he all
+ruled, and all the castles appointed; and said that he would himself
+hold the land. And afterwards he made his threat, that he would in
+summer march into Rome, and acquire all the realm, and himself be
+emperor where Luces ere dwelt. And many of the Rome folk would that it
+so should be, for they were adread to their bare death, so that many
+away there fled, and their castles abandoned; and many sent messengers
+to Arthur the strong; and many spake with him, and yearned Arthur's
+peace; and some they would against Arthur hold, and hold Rome against
+him, and defend the realm. And nevertheless they were afraid for their
+destruction, so that they knew not under Christ any good counsel. Then
+was it there come to pass, what Merlin said erewhile, that Rome-walls
+should fall down before Arthur; that was fulfilled there by the
+emperor, who fell there in the fight, with fifty thousand men; there
+sank to the ground the rich Rome-people! Then Arthur weened in sooth
+to win all Rome, and dwelt in Burgundy, noblest of all kings.
+
+Then came there on a time a brave man riding, and brought tiding to
+Arthur the king, from Modred, his sister's son; to Arthur he was
+welcome, for he weened that he brought news most good. Arthur lay all
+the night long, and spake with the young knight; so never would he say
+to him sooth how it fared. When it was day on the morrow, and people
+gan to stir, Arthur then up arose, and stretched his arms; he arose
+up, and sate down, as if he were exceeding sick. Then asked him a fair
+knight--"Lord, how hast thou fared to-night?" Arthur then answered--in
+mind he was uneasy: "To-night in my sleep, where I lay in chamber, I
+dreamt a dream--therefore I am full sorry. I dreamt that men raised me
+upon a hall; the hall I gan bestride, as if I would ride; all the
+lands that I possessed, all I there overlooked. And Walwain sate
+before me; my sword he bare in hand. Then approached Modred there,
+with innumerable folk; he bare in his hand a battle-axe strong; he
+began to hew exceeding hardily; and the posts all hewed in pieces,
+that held up the hall. There I saw Wenhaver eke, dearest of women to
+me; all the mickle hall roof with her hand she drew down; the hall gan
+to tumble, and I tumbled to the ground, so that my right arm brake in
+pieces,--then said Modred, 'Have that!' Down fell the hall; and
+Walwain gan to fall, and fell on the earth; his arms both brake. And I
+grasped my dear sword with my left hand, and smote off Modred his
+head, so that it rolled on the field. And the queen I cut all in
+pieces with my dear sword, and afterwards I set her down in a black
+pit. And all my good people set to flight, so that I knew not under
+Christ, where they were gone. But myself I gan stand upon a weald, and
+I there gan to wander wide over the moors, there I saw gripes, and
+grisly fowls! Then approached a golden lion over the down;—-a beast
+most fair, that our Lord made;—-the lion ran towards me, and took me
+by the middle, and forth gan her move, and to the sea went. And I saw
+the waves drive in the sea; and the lion in the flood went with
+myself. When we came in the sea, the waves took her from me; but there
+approached a fish, and brought me to land;—-then was I all wet, and
+weary from sorrow, and sick. When I gan to wake, greatly gan I to
+quake; then gan I to tremble as if I all burnt with fire. And so I
+have all night of my dream much thought; for I wot with certainty,
+gone is all my bliss, for ever in my life sorrow I must endure! Alas!
+that I have not here Wenhaver, my queen!"
+
+Then answered the knight: "Lord, thou hast wrong; men should never a
+dream with sorrow interpret. Thou art the mightiest man, that reigneth
+in land, and the wisest of all that dwelleth under heaven. If it were
+befallen—-as will it not our Lord!—-that Modred, thy sister's son, had
+taken thy queen, and set all thy royal land in his own hand, that thou
+to him committedest, when thou thoughtest to go to Rome; and had he
+done all this with his treachery, the yet thou mightest thee avenge
+with weapon worthily, and eft thy land hold, and govern thy people,
+and thine enemies fell, who did evil to thee, and slay them all clean,
+that there remain not one."
+
+Arthur then answered, noblest of all kings: "So long as is ever,
+weened I that never, that ever Modred, my relative, who is man dearest
+to me, would betray me, for all my realm, nor Wenhaver, my queen,
+weaken in thought; would it not begin, for any worldly man!"
+
+Even with the words forth-right then answered the knight: "I say thee
+sooth, dear king, for I am thy underling. Thus hath Modred done; thy
+queen he hath taken, and thy fair land set in his own hand. He is
+king, and she is queen; of thy coming is there no expectation, for
+they ween not ever in sooth, that thou shalt come back from Rome. I am
+thine own man, and saw this treason; and I am come to thyself, to say
+thee sooth. My head be in pledge, that I have said thee sooth, without
+leasing, of thy loved queen, and of Modred, thy sister's son, how he
+hath taken Britain from thee."
+
+Then sate it all still in Arthur's hall; then was there sorrow with
+the good king; then were the British men therefore exceedingly
+dispirited. Then after a while voices there stirred; wide men might
+hear the Britons' clamour, and gan to tell in speeches of many kind,
+how they would destroy Modred and the queen, and slay all the people
+that held with Modred.
+
+Arthur then called, fairest of all Britons: "Sit ye down still,
+knights in hall, and I will you tell strange discourse. Now to-morrow,
+when it is day, and the Lord it sendeth, forth I will march in toward
+Britain; and Modred I will slay, and burn the queen; and all I will
+destroy, that approved the treachery. And here I will leave the
+dearest of men to me, Howel, my loved relative, noblest of my kin; and
+half my army I will leave in this land, to maintain all this kingdom,
+that I have in my hand. And when these things are all done, back I
+will come to Rome, and deliver my fair land to Walwain my relation;
+and afterwards perform my threat, by my bare life; all my enemies
+shall be destroyed!"
+
+Then stood him up Walwain, who was Arthur's relative, and said these
+words,--the earl was incensed: "Almighty God! ruler of dooms, guardian
+of all middle-earth! Why is it befallen, that my brother Modred this
+sin has wrought? But to-day I forsake him here, before this assembly;
+and I will him destroy with the Lord's will; myself I will him hang,
+highest of all wretches; the queen I will, with God's law, draw all in
+pieces with horses. For may I never be blithe, the while I am alive,
+until I have avenged mine uncle with the best!"
+
+Then answered the Britons with bold voice: "All our weapons are ready;
+now to-morrow we shall march!" On the morrow when it was day, and the
+Lord it sent, Arthur forth him moved, with his good folk; half he it
+left, and half it forth led. Forth he marched through the land until
+he came to Whitsand; ships he had soon, many and excellent; but full a
+fortnight there lay the host, abiding the weather, deprived of wind
+(becalmed).
+
+Now was there some wicked knight in Arthur's army, anon as he heard it
+determined of Modred's death, he took his swain quickly, and sent to
+this land; and sent word to Wenhaver, how it had happened, and how
+Arthur was on his march, with a great host, and how he would take on,
+and all how he would do. The queen came to Modred, who was to her
+dearest of men, and told him tiding of Arthur the king, how he would
+take on, and all how he would do.
+
+Modred took his messengers, and sent to Saxland, after Childrich, who
+was king most powerful, and bade him come to Britain--thereof he
+should have possession. Modred bade Childrich, the strong and the
+rich, to send messengers wide, on the four sides of Saxland, and bid
+all the knights that they might get, that they should come soon to
+this kingdom; and he would to Childrich give part of his realm, all
+beyond the Humber; because he should him help to fight against his
+uncle King Arthur. Childrich proceeded soon into Britain. When Modred
+had assembled his host of men, then were there told sixty thousand
+hardy warriors of heathen folk, when they were come hither, for
+Arthur's harm, and to help Modred, wickedest of men! When the army was
+gathered of each people, then were they there in a heap an hundred
+thousand, heathens and christians, with Modred the king.
+
+Arthur lay at Whitsand; a fortnight seemed to him too long; and Modred
+knew all what Arthur there would; each day came messengers to him from
+the king's army. Then befell it on a time, much rain it gan to rain,
+and the wind it gan to turn, and stood from the east end. And Arthur
+proceeded to ship with all his host, and ordered that his shipmen
+should bring him to Romney, where he thought to come up into this
+land. When he came to the haven, Modred was opposite to him, as the
+day gan light, they began to fight, all the day long; many a man dead
+there lay! Some they fought on land, some by the strand; some they let
+fly sharp spears out of the ships. Walwain went before, and cleared
+the way; and slew there soon eleven thanes; he slew Childrich's son,
+who was come there with his father. To rest went the sun; woe was then
+to the men! There was Walwain slain, and deprived of life-day, through
+a Saxish earl--sorry be his soul! Then was Arthur sorry, and sorrowful
+therefore in heart; and these words said, mightiest of all Britons:
+"Now I have lost my loved swains! I knew by my dream, what sorrow were
+given to me! Slain is Angel the king, who was mine own darling, and
+Walwain, my sister's son--woe is me that I was born man! Up now from
+ship, quickly, my brave knights!"
+
+Even with the words sixty thousand good warriors pressed anon to the
+fight, and brake Modred's ranks, and well nigh himself was taken.
+Modred began to flee, and his folk to follow after; they fled
+exceedingly, the fields eke trembled; the stones jar with the
+blood-streams! There would have been all the fight ended, but the
+night came too soon; if the night had not been, they all would have
+been slain!
+
+The night separated them over slades and over downs; and Modred came
+so far forth, that he was at London. The burghmen heard how it had all
+fared, and denied him entry, and all his folk. Modred thence went
+toward Winchester; and they him received, with all his men. And Arthur
+pursued after, with all his might, until he came to Winchester, with a
+mickle host, and the burgh all besieged; and Modred therein abode.
+When Modred saw that Arthur was so nigh to him, oft he bethought him
+what he might do. Then on the same night, he ordered all his knights,
+with all their weapons, to march out of the burgh; and said that he
+would with fight there make a stand. He promised the burghmen free law
+evermore, on condition that they should help him at his great need.
+
+When it was daylight, then ready was their fight. Arthur that
+perceived--the king was enraged; he caused trumpets to be blown, and
+men to be assembled to battle; he commanded all his thanes, and his
+noble knights, together to take the fight, and fell his enemies, and
+the burgh all to destroy, and hang the burgh-folk. They stept
+together, and sternly fought. Modred then thought what he might do;
+and he did there as he did elsewhere, treachery with the most! For
+ever he did wickedly; he betrayed his comrades before Winchester, and
+caused his dearest knights to be called to him anon, and his dearest
+friends all, of all his folk; and stole away from the fight--the fiend
+him have!--and let the good folk all there perish. They fought all
+day; they weened that their lord there lay, and were near them at
+their great need. Then bent he the way that toward Hampton lay; and
+bent toward the haven--wickedest of men--and took all the ships that
+there good were, and all the steersmen, to the need of the ships; and
+proceeded into Cornwall—-wickedest of kings in those days! And Arthur
+besieged well firmly Winchester the burgh; and slew all the
+people—-there was sorrow enow--the young and the old, all he killed.
+When the folk was all dead, and the burgh all burnt, then caused he
+withal all the walls to be broken in pieces. Then was it there come to
+pass, that Merlin whilom said:
+
+"Wretched shalt thou be, Winchester! the earth shall thee swallow!" So
+Merlin said, who was a great prophet.
+
+The queen lay in York; never was she so sorrowful; that was Wenhaver
+the queen, most miserable of women! She heard say sooth words, how
+often Modred fled, and how Arthur him pursued; woe was to her the
+while, that she was alive! Out of York she went by night, and toward
+Kaerleon drew, as quickly as she might; thither she brought by night
+two of her knights; and men covered her head with a holy veil, and she
+was there a nun; woman most wretched! Then men knew not of the queen,
+where she were gone, nor many years afterwards man knew it in sooth,
+whether she were dead, or whether she herself were sunk in the water.
+
+Modred was in Cornwall, and gathered many knights; to Ireland he sent
+his messengers quickly; to Saxland he sent his messengers quickly; to
+Scotland he sent his messengers quickly; he ordered them all to come
+anon, that would have land, or silver, or gold, or possessions, or
+land; in each wise he warned himself each man;--so doth each prudent
+man upon whom cometh need.
+
+Arthur that heard, wrathest of kings, that Modred was in Cornwall with
+a mickle army, and there would abide until Arthur approached. Arthur
+sent messengers over all his kingdom, and bade all to come that was
+alive in land, that to fight were good, weapons to bear; and whoso it
+neglected, that the king commanded, the king would him all consume
+alive in the land. Innumerable folk it came toward the host, riding
+and on foot, as the rain down falleth!
+
+Arthur marched to Cornwall, with an immense army. Modred heard that,
+and advanced against him with innumerable folk--there were many fated!
+Upon the Tambre they came together; the place hight Camelford,
+evermore lasted the same word. And at Camelford was assembled sixty
+thousand men, and more thousands thereto; Modred was their chief. Then
+thitherward gan ride Arthur the mighty, with innumerable folk--fated
+though it were! Upon the Tambre they encountered together; elevated
+their standards; advanced together; drew their long swords, and smote
+on the helms; fire out sprang; spears splintered; shields gan shiver;
+shafts brake in pieces! There fought all together innumerable folk!
+Tambre was in flood with blood to excess; there might no man in the
+fight know any warrior, nor who did worse, nor who did better, so was
+the conflict mingled! For each slew downright, were he swain, were he
+knight. There was Modred slain, and deprived of life-day, and all his
+knights slain in the fight. There were slain all the brave, Arthur's
+warriors, high and low, and all the Britons of Arthur's board, and all
+his dependants, of many kingdoms. And Arthur himself wounded with a
+broad slaughter-spear; fifteen dreadful wounds he had; in the least
+one might thrust two gloves! Then was there no more remained in the
+fight, of two hundred thousand men that there lay hewed in pieces,
+except Arthur the king alone, and two of his knights.
+
+Arthur was wounded wondrously much. There came to him a lad, who was
+of his kindred; he was Cador's son, the Earl of Cornwall; Constantine
+the lad hight, he was dear to the king. Arthur looked on him, where he
+lay on the ground, and said these words, with sorrowful heart:
+"Constantine, thou art welcome; thou wert Cador's son. I give thee
+here my kingdom, and defend thou my Britons ever in thy life, and
+maintain them all the laws that have stood in my days, and all the
+good laws that in Uther's days stood. And I will fare to Avalun, to
+the fairest of all maidens, to Argante the queen, an elf most fair,
+and she shall make my wounds all sound; make me all whole with healing
+draughts. And afterwards I will come again to my kingdom, and dwell
+with the Britons with mickle joy."
+
+Even with the words there approached from the sea that was a short
+boat, floating with the waves; and two women therein, wondrously
+formed; and they took Arthur anon, and bare him quickly, and laid him
+softly down, and forth they gan depart.
+
+Then was it accomplished that Merlin whilom said, that mickle care
+should be of Arthur's departure. The Britons believe yet that he is
+alive, and dwelleth in Avalun with the fairest of all elves; and the
+Britons ever yet expect when Arthur shall return. Was never the man
+born, of ever any lady chosen, that knoweth of the sooth, to say more
+of Arthur. But whilom was a sage hight Merlin; he said with words--his
+sayings were sooth--that an Arthur should yet come to help the
+English.
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Brut, by Layamon, Translated by Eugene Mason
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Brut
+
+Author: Layamon
+
+Release Date: December 8, 2004  [eBook #14305]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRUT***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Keith M. Eckrich, and the Project Gutenberg
+Online Distriubted Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+LAYAMON'S BRUT
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+At Totnes Constantin the fair and all his host came ashore; thither
+came the bold man--well was he brave!--and with him two thousand
+knights such as no king possessed. Forth they gan march into London,
+and sent after knights over all the kingdom, and every brave man, that
+speedily he should come anon.
+
+The Britons heard that, where they dwelt in the pits; in earth and in
+stocks they hid them like badgers, in wood and in wilderness, in heath
+and in fen, so that well nigh no man might find any Briton, except
+they were in castle, or in burgh inclosed fast. When they heard of
+this word, that Constantin was in the land, then came out of the
+mountains many thousand men; they leapt out of the wood as if it were
+deer. Many hundred thousand marched toward London, by street and by
+weald all it forth pressed; and the brave women put on them men's
+clothes, and they forth journeyed toward the army.
+
+When the Earl Constantin saw all this folk come to him, then he was so
+blithe as he was never before in life. Forth they took their way two
+nights and a day, so that they came full truly to Melga and Wanis.
+Together they rushed with stern strength, fought fiercely--the fated
+fell! Ere the day were gone, slain was Wanis and Melgan, and Peohtes
+enow, and Scots without number, Danes and Norwegians, Galloways and
+Irish. The while that the day was light lasted ever this slaughter.
+
+When it came to the eventime, then called the Earl Constantin, and
+bade that guides should ride to the waters, and active men toward the
+sea, for to guard them. A man should have seen the game, how the women
+forth marched over woods and over fields, over hills and over dales.
+Wheresoever they found any man escaped, that was with Melga the
+heathen king, the women loud laughed, and tore him all in pieces, and
+prayed for the soul, that never should good be to it. Thus the British
+women killed many thousands, and thus they freed this kingdom of Wanis
+and of Melga.
+
+And Constantin the brave marched to Silchester, and held there his
+husting of all his British thanes, all the Britons came to the
+meeting, and took Constantin the noble, and made him king of Britain--
+much was then the mirth that was among men. And afterwards they gave
+him a wife, one wondrous fair, born of the highest, of Britain the
+best of all. By this noble wife Constantin had in this land three
+little sons. The first son had well nigh his father's name; Constantin
+hight the king, Constance hight the child. When this child was waxed,
+that it could ride, then his father caused him to be made a monk,
+through counsel of wicked men, and the child was a monk in Winchester.
+After him was born another, who was the middle brother, he was named
+Aurelius, his surname hight Ambrosius. Then was last of all born a
+child that was well disposed, he was named Uther, his virtues were
+strong; he was the youngest brother, but he lived longer than the
+others.
+
+Guencelm the archbishop, who toward God was full good, took charge of
+the two children, for love of the king. But alas! that their father
+might live no longer!--for he had good laws the while that he lived;
+but he was king here but twelve years, and then was the king
+dead--hearken now through what chance. He had in his house a Peoht,
+fair knight and most brave; he fared with the king, and with all his
+thanes by no other wise but as it were his brother. Then became he so
+potent, to all his companions unlike; then thought he to betray
+Constantin the powerful. He came before the king, and fell on his
+knees, and thus lied the traitor before his lord: "Lord king, come
+forthright, and speak with Cadal thy knight, and I will thee tell of
+strange speeches, such as thou never ere on earth heardest."
+
+Then arose the king Constantin, and went forth out with him. But alas!
+that Constantin's knights knew it not! They proceeded so long forward
+that they came in an orchard. Then said the traitor there: "Lord, be
+we here." The traitor sat down, as if he would hold secret discourse,
+and he approached to the king, as a man doth in whispering. He grasped
+a knife very long, and the king therewith he pierced into the heart;
+and he himself escaped--there the king dead lay, and the traitor fled
+away.
+
+The tidings came to court, how the king had fared; then was mickle
+sorrow spread to the folk. Then were the Britons busy in thought, they
+knew not through anything what they might have for king, for the
+king's two sons, little they were both. Ambrosie could scarcely ride
+on horse, and Uther, his brother, yet still sucked his mother; and
+Constance the eldest was monk in Winchester; monk's clothes he had on,
+as one of his companions. Then came to London all this landfolk, to
+their husting, and to advise them of a king, what wise they might do,
+and how they might take on, and which one of these children they might
+have for king. Then chose this people Aurelie Ambrosie, to have for
+king over them.
+
+That heard Vortiger, a crafty man and most wary; among the earls he
+stood, and firmly withstood it, and he thus said--sooth though it were
+not: "I will advise you counsel with the best; abide a fortnight, and
+come we eft right here, and I will say to you sooth words, so that
+with your eyes ye shall see, and your while well bestow; this same
+time we shall abide, and to our land the while ride, and hold amity
+and hold peace, freely in land."
+
+All the folk did as Vortiger deemed; and he himself went as if he
+would go to his land, and turned right the way that into Winchester
+lay. Vortiger had Welshland the half-part in his hand; forty knights
+good he had in his retinue. He proceeded to Winchester, where he found
+Constance, and spake with the abbot who governed the monastery where
+Constance was monk, the king's son of Britain. He went into the
+monastery with mild speech; he said that he would speak with
+Constance. The abbot granted it to him, and he led him to the
+speech-house. Thus spake Vortiger with the monk then there:
+"Constance, hearken my counsel, for now is thy father dead. There is
+Ambrosie thy brother, and Uther the other. Now have the elders, the
+noblest in land, chosen Aurelie--his surname is Ambrosie--if they may
+through all things they will make him king; and Uther, thy brother,
+yet sucketh his mother. But I have opposed them, and think to withsay,
+for I have been steward of all Britain's land, and earl I am potent,
+unlike to my companions, and I have Welshland half part in my hand;
+more I have alone than the others all clean. I am come to thee, for
+dearest of men thou art to me; if thou wilt swear to me oaths, I will
+take off thee these clothes, if thou wilt increase my land, and thy
+counsel place in my hand, and make me thy steward over all Britain's
+land, and through my counsel do all thy deeds, and if thou wilt pledge
+me in hand, that I shall rule it all, I will through all things make
+thee Britain's king." This monk sate well still, the speech went to
+him at his will. Then answered the monk with much delight: "Well worth
+thee, Vortiger, that thou art come here; if evermore cometh the day
+that I may be king, all my counsel and all my land I will place in
+thine hand, and all that thou wilt do, my men shall accept it. And
+oaths I will swear to thee, that I will not deceive thee." Thus said
+the monk; he mourned greatly how else it were, that he were monk; for
+to him were black clothes wondrously odious. Vortiger was crafty and
+wary--that he made known everywhere--he took a cape of a knight of
+his, and on the monk he put it, and led him out of the place; he took
+a swain anon, and the black clothes put on him, and held secret
+discourse with the swain, as if it were the monk.
+
+Monks passed upward, monks passed downward; they saw by the way the
+swain with monk's clothes; the hood hanged down as if he hid his
+crown; they all weened that it were their brother, who there sate so
+sorry in the speech-house, in the daylight, among all the knights.
+They came to their abbot, and greeted him in God's name: "Lord,
+benedicite, we are come before thee, for strange it seemeth to us what
+Vortiger thinketh in our speech-house, where he holdeth discourse,
+throughout this day no monk may come therein, except Constance alone,
+and the knights all clean. Sore we dread, that they him miscounsel."
+Then answered the abbot; "Nay, but they counsel him good; they bid him
+hold his hood (holy order), for now is his father dead." Vortiger
+there abode the while Constance away rode. Vortiger up arose, from the
+monastery departed, and all his knight out went forth-right.
+
+The monks there ran thither anon, they weened to find Constance; when
+they saw the clothes lie by the walls, then each to other lamented
+their brother. The abbot leapt on horse, and after Vortiger rode, and
+soon gan overtake the Earl Vortiger. Thus said the abbot to Vortiger
+where he rode: "Say me, thou mad knight, why dost thou so great wrong?
+Thou takest from us our brother,--leave him, and take the other. Take
+Ambrosie the child, and make of him a king, and anger thou not Saint
+Benedict, nor do thou to him any wrong!"
+
+Vortiger heard this--he was crafty and very wary;--soon he came back,
+and the abbot he took, and swore by his hand, that he would him hang,
+unless he him pledged, that he would forthright unhood Constance the
+king's son of this land, and for such need he should be king of this
+country. The abbot durst no other, there he unhooded his brother, and
+the child gave the abbot in hand twenty ploughlands, and afterwards
+they proceeded forth into London. Vortiger the high forbade his
+attendants, that they to no man should tell what they had in design.
+Vortiger lay in London, until the same set day came, that the knights
+of this land should come to husting.
+
+At the day they came, many and numerous; they counselled, they
+communed, the stern warriors, that they would have Ambrosie, and raise
+for king; for Uther was too little--the yet he might suck--and
+Constance was monk, who was eldest of them, and they would not for
+anything make a monk king. Vortiger heard this, who was crafty and
+most wary, and leapt on foot as if it were a lion. None of the Britons
+there knew what Vortiger had done. He had in a chamber Constance the
+dear, well bathed and clothed, and afterwards hid with twelve knights.
+Then thus spake Vortiger--he was of craft wary: "Listen, lordings, the
+while that I speak of kings. I was in Winchester, where I well sped, I
+spake with the abbot, who is a holy man and good, and said him the
+need that is come to this nation by Constantin's death--therefore he
+is uneasy--and of Constance the child, that he had holden. And I bade
+him for love of God, to take off the child's hood, and for such need
+he should be king in the country. And the abbot took his counsel, and
+did all that I bade him; and here I have his monks, who are good and
+chief, who shall witness bear before you all. Lo! where here is the
+same child, make we hereof a king, and here I hold the crown that
+thereto behoveth, and whoso will this withsay, he shall it buy dear!"
+
+Vortiger was most strong, the highest man of Britain, was there never
+any so bold that his words durst deprecate. In the same town was the
+archbishop dead, and there was no bishop that forth on his way did not
+pass, nor monk nor any abbot, that he on his way did not ride, for
+they durst not for fear of God do there the wrong, to take the monk
+child, and make him Britain's king. Vortiger saw this--of all evil he
+was well ware, up he gan to stand, the crown he took in hand, and he
+set it upon Constance--that was to him in thought. Was there never any
+man that might there do Christendom, that might do blessing upon the
+king, but Vortiger alone did it clean for all! The beginning was
+unfair, and also was the end, he deserted God's hood (holy order),
+therefore he had sorrow! Thus was Constance king of this land, and
+Vortiger was his steward.
+
+Constance set all his kingdom in Vortiger's hand, and he did all in
+the land, as he himself would. Then saw Vortiger--of much evil he was
+ware--that Constance the king knew nothing of land (government?), for
+he had not learnt ever any learning, except what a monk should perform
+in his monastery. Vortiger saw that--the Worse was full nigh him!--oft
+he bethought him what he might do, how he might with leasing please
+the king. Now thou mayest hear, how this traitor gan him fare. The
+best men of Britain were all dead, now were the king's brothers both
+full little, and Guencehn the archbishop therebefore was dead, and
+this land's king himself of the law knew nothing. Vortiger saw this,
+and he came to the king, with mild speech his lord he gan greet: "Hail
+be thou, Constance, Britain's lord! I am come thus nigh thee for much
+need, for to say to thee tidings that are come to land, of very great
+danger. Now thee behoveth might, now weapons behove thee to defend thy
+country. Here are chapmen arrived from other lands, as it is the
+custom; they have brought to me toll for their goods, and they have
+told me and plighted troth, that the King of Norway will newly fare
+hither, and the Danish king these Danes will seek, and the King of
+Russia, sternest of all knights, and the King of Gothland with host
+most strong, and the King of Frise--therefore it alarmeth me. The
+tidings are evil that are come to land; herefore I am most adread, for
+I know no good counsel, unless we may with might send after knights,
+that are good and strong, and that are well able in land, and fill thy
+castles with keen men, and so thou mightest defend thy kingdom against
+foreigners, and maintain thy worship with high strength. For there is
+no kingdom, so broad nor so long, that will not soon be taken if there
+are too few warriors."
+
+Then answered the king--of land he knew nothing--"Vortiger, thou art
+steward over all Britain's land, and thou shalt it rule after thy
+will. Send after knights that are good in fight; and take all in thine
+hand, my castles and my land, and do all thy will, and I will be
+still, except the single thing, that I will be called king."
+
+Then laughed Vortiger--he was of evil most ware--was he never so
+blithe ere in his life! Vortiger took leave, and forth he gan pass,
+and so he proceeded through all Britain's land, all the castles and
+all the land he set in his own hand, and the fealty he took ever where
+he came. And so he took his messengers, and sent to Scotland, and
+ordered the Peohtes, the knights best of all, three hundred to come to
+him, and he would well do to them. And the knights came to him
+thereafter well soon; thus spake the traitorous man: "Knights, ye are
+welcome. I have in my hand all this regal land, with me ye shall go,
+and I will you love, and I will you bring before our king; ye shall
+have silver and gold, the best horses of this land, clothes, and fair
+wives; your will I will perform Ye shall be to me dear, for the
+Britons are hateful to me, loud and still I will do your will, if ye
+will in land hold me for lord." Then forth-right answered the knights
+"We will do all thy will," and they gan proceed to Constance the king.
+To the king came Vortiger--of evil he was well ware--and said him of--
+had done--"And here I have the Peohtes, who shall be household
+knights; and I have most well stored all thy castles, and these
+foreign knights shall before us fight." The king commended all as
+Vortiger purposed, but alas! that the king knew nothing of his
+thoughts, nor of his treachery, that he did soon thereafter! These
+knights were in court highly honoured, full two years with the king
+they dwelt there, and Vortiger the steward was lord of them all. Ever
+he said that the Britons were not of use, but he said that the Peohtes
+were good knights. Ever were the Britons deprived of goods, and the
+Peohtes wielded all that they would. They had drink, they had meat,
+they had eke much bliss. Vortiger granted them all that they would,
+and was to them as dear as their own life; so that they all spake,
+where they ate their meat, that Vortiger were worthy to govern this
+realm throughout all things, better than three such kings! Vortiger
+gave these men very much treasure.
+
+Then befell it on a day, that Vortiger lay at his inn; he took his two
+knights and sent after the Peohtes, bade them come here, for they all
+should eat there. Forth-right the knights came to him, to his inn, he
+tried them with words as they sate at the board, he caused draughts to
+be brought them of many kinds of drinks, they drank, they revelled,
+the day there forth passed. When they were so drunk that their shanks
+weakened, then spake Vortiger what he had previously thought: "Hearken
+now to me, knights, I will say to you forth-right of my mickle sorrow
+that I for you have mourned. The king delivered me this land for to be
+his steward. Ye are to me liefest of all men alive, but I have not
+wealth to give my knights, for this king possesses all this land, and
+he is young and also strong, and all I must yield to him that I take
+of his land, and if I destroy his goods, I shall suffer the law, and
+mine own wealth I have spent, because I would please you. And now I
+must depart hence far to some king, serve him with peace, and gain
+wealth with him; I may not for much shame have here this abode, but
+forth I must go to foreign lands And if the day shall ever come that I
+may acquire wealth, and I may so well thrive, that ye come in the land
+where I am, I will well reward you with much worship. And have now all
+good day, for to-night I will go away, it is a great doubt whether ye
+see me evermore"--These knights knew not what the traitor thought
+Vortiger was treacherous, for here he betrayed his lord, and the
+knights held it for sooth, what the traitor said Vortiger ordered his
+swains to saddle his steeds, and named twelve men to lead with
+himself, to horse they went as if they would depart from the land.
+
+The Peohtes saw that--the drunken knights--how Vortiger would depart,
+herefore they had much care, they went to counsel, they went to
+communing, all they lamented their life exceedingly, because Vortiger
+was so dear to them And thus said the Peohtes, the drunken knights:
+"What may we now in counsel? who shall us now advise? who shall us
+feed, who shall us clothe, who shall be our lord at court? Now
+Vortiger is gone, we all must depart,--we will not for anything have a
+monk for king! But we will do well, forth-right go we to him, secretly
+and still, and do all our will, into his chamber, and drink of his
+beer When we have drunk, loudly revel we, and some shall go to the
+door, and with swords stand therebefore, and some forth-right take the
+king and his knights, and smite off the heads of them, and we
+ourselves have the court, and cause soon our lord Vortiger to be
+overtaken, and afterwards through all things raise him to be
+king;--then may we live as to us is befest of all."
+
+The knights proceeded to the king forth-right; they all went
+throughout the hall into the king's chamber, where he sate by the fire
+There was none that spake a word except Gille Callaet; thus he spake
+with the king whom he there thought to betray: "Listen to me now,
+monarch, I will nothing lie to thee We have been in court highly
+honoured through thy steward, who hath governed all this land, he hath
+us well fed, he hath us well clothed And in sooth I may say to thee,
+with him we ate now to day, but sore it us grieveth, we had nought to
+drink, and now we are in thy chamber give us drink of thy beer" Then
+gave the king answer "That shall be your least care, for ye shall have
+to drink the while that you think good" Men brought them drink, and
+they gan to revel, thus said Gille Callaet--at the door he was full
+active "Where be ye, knights? Bestir you forth right!" And they seized
+the king, and smote off his head, and all his knights they slew
+forth-right And took a messenger, and sent toward London, that he
+should ride quickly after Vortiger, that he should come speedily, and
+take the kingdom, for that he should know through all things, slain
+was Constance the king. Vortiger heard that, who was traitor full
+secret; thus he ordered the messenger back forth-right anon, and bade
+them "well to keep all our worship that never one depart out of the
+place, but all abide me, until that I arrive, and so I will divide
+this land among us all."
+
+Forth went the messenger, and Vortiger took anon and sent over London,
+and ordered them quickly and full soon, that they all should come to
+husting. When the burgh-men were come, who were most bold, then spake
+Vortiger, who was traitor full secret,--much he gan to weep, and
+sorrowfully to sigh, but it was in his head, and not in his heart.
+Then asked him the burgh-men, who were most bold. "Lord Vortiger, what
+is that thou mournest? Thou art no woman so sore to weep." Then
+answered Vortiger, who was traitor full secret: "I will tell you
+piteous speeches, of much calamity that is come to the land. I have
+been in this realm your king's steward, and spoken with him, and loved
+him as my life. But he would not at the end any counsel approve, he
+loved the Peohtes, the foreign knights, and he would not do good to
+us, nor anywhere fair receive, but to them he was gracious, ever in
+their lives I might not of the king have remuneration (or wages), I
+spent my wealth, the while that it lasted, and afterwards I took leave
+to go to my land, and when I had my tribute, come again to court. When
+the Peohtes saw that the king had no knights, nor ever any kind of man
+that would aught for them do, they took their course into the king's
+chamber I say you through all things, they have slain the king, and
+think to destroy this kingdom and us all, and will forth-right make
+them king of a Peoht. But I was his steward, avenge I will my lord,
+and every brave man help me to do that. On I will with my gear, and
+forth-right I will go."
+
+Thirty hundred knights marched out of London; they rode and they ran,
+forth with Vortiger, until they approached where the Peohtes dwelt.
+And he took one of his knights, and sent to the Peohtes, and said to
+them that he came, if they would him receive. The Peohtes were blithe
+for their murder (that they had committed), and they took their good
+gear--there was neither shield nor spear Vortiger weaponed all his
+knights forth right, and the Peohtes there came, and brought the head
+of the king. When Vortiger saw this head, then fell he full nigh to
+the ground, as if he had grief most of all men, with his countenance
+he gan he, but his heart was full blithe. Then said Vortiger, who was
+traitor full secret: "Every brave man lay on them with sword, and
+avenge well in the land the sorrow of our lord!" None they captured,
+but all they them slew; and proceeded to the inn, into Winchester, and
+slew their swains, and their chamber-servants, their cooks, and their
+boys, all they deprived of life-day. Thus faired the tidings of
+Constance the king.
+
+And the worldly-wise men took charge of the other children; for they
+had care of Vortiger they took Ambrosie and Uther, and led them over
+sea, into the Less Britain, and delivered them fairly to Biduz the
+king. And he them fairly received, for he was their kin and their
+friend, and with much joy the children he brought up; and so well many
+years with him they were there.
+
+Vortiger in this land was raised to be king; all the strong burghs
+stood in his hand; five-and-twenty years he was king here. He was mad,
+he was wild, he was cruel, he was bold; of all things he had his will,
+except the Peohtes were never still, but ever they advanced over the
+north end, and afflicted this kingdom with prodigious harm, and
+avenged their kin enow, whom Vortiger slew here.
+
+In the meantime came tidings into this land, that Aurelie was knight,
+who was named Ambrosie, and also was Uther, good knight and most wary,
+and would come to this land, and lead an army most strong. This was
+many times a saying oft repeated; oft came these tidings to Vortiger
+the king; therefore it oft shamed him, and his heart angered, for men
+said it everywhere:--"Now will come Ambrosie and Uther, and will
+avenge soon Constance, the king of this land; there is no other
+course, avenge they will their brother, and slay Vortiger, and burn
+him to dust; thus they will set all this land in their own hand!" So
+spake each day all that passed by the way.
+
+Vortiger bethought him what he might do, and thought to send
+messengers into other lands, after foreign knights, who might him
+defend; and thought to be wary against Ambrosie and Uther.
+
+In the meantime came tidings to Vortiger the king, that over sea were
+come men exceeding strange; in the Thames to land they were come;
+three ships good came with the flood, therein three hundred knights,
+kings as it were, without (besides) the shipmen who were there within.
+These were the fairest men that ever here came, but they were
+heathens--that was the more harm! Vortiger sent to them, and asked how
+they were disposed (their business); if they sought peace, and recked
+of his friendship? They answered wisely, as well they knew, and said
+that they would speak with the king, and lovingly him serve, and hold
+him for lord; and so they gan wend forth to the king. Then was
+Vortiger the king in Canterbury, where he with his court nobly
+diverted themselves; there these knights came before the sovereign. As
+soon as they met him, they greeted him fair, and said that they would
+serve him in this land, if he would them with right retain. Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware--"In all my life that I
+have lived, by day nor by night saw I never ere such knights; for your
+arrival I am blithe, and with me ye shall remain, and your will I will
+perform, by my quick life! But first I would of you learn, through
+your sooth worship, what knights ye be, and whence ye are come, and
+whether ye will be true, old and eke new?"
+
+Then answered the one who was the eldest brother: "Listen to me now,
+lord king, and I will make known to you what knights we are, and
+whence we are come. I hight Hengest; Hors is my brother; we are of
+Alemaine, a land noblest of all, of the same end that Angles is named.
+In our land are strange tidings; after fifteen years the folk is
+assembled, all our nation-folk, and cast their lots; upon whom that it
+falleth, he shall depart from the land. The five shall remain, the
+sixth shall forth proceed out of the country to a foreign land; be he
+man ever so loved, he shall forth depart. For there is folk very much,
+more than they would desire; the women go there with child as the wild
+deer, every year they bear child there! That is fallen on us, that we
+should depart; we might not remain, for life nor for death, nor for
+ever anything, for fear of the sovereign. Thus we fared there, and
+therefore are we now here, to seek under heaven land and good lord.
+Now thou hast heard, lord king, sooth of us through all things." Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware--"I believe thee, knight,
+that thou sayest to me right sooth. And what are your creeds, that ye
+in believe, and your dear god, whom ye worship?" Then answered
+Hengest, fairest of all knights--in all this kingdom is not a knight
+so tall nor so strong:--"We have good gods, whom we love in our mind,
+whom we have hope in, and serve them with might. The one hight Phebus;
+the second Saturnus; the third hight Woden, who is a mighty god; the
+fourth hight Jupiter, of all things he is aware; the fifth hight
+Mercurius, who is the highest over us; the sixth hight Appolin, who is
+a god brave; the seventh hight Tervagant, a high god in our land. Yet
+(in addition) we have a lady, who is high and mighty, high she is and
+holy, therefore courtiers love her--she is named Frea--well she them
+treateth. But among all our dear gods whom we shall serve, Woden had
+the highest law in our elders' days; he was dear to them even as their
+life, he was their ruler, and did to them worship; the fourth day in
+the week they gave him for his honour. To the Thunder (Jupiter) they
+gave Thursday, because that it may help them; to Frea, their lady,
+they gave her Friday; to Saturnus they gave Saturday; to the Sun they
+gave Sunday; to the Moon they gave Monday; to Tidea they gave
+Tuesday." Thus said Hengest, fairest of all knights. Then answered
+Vortiger--of each evil he was ware--"Knights, ye are dear to me, but
+these tidings are loathsome to me; your creeds are wicked, ye believe
+not on Christ, but ye believe on the Worse, whom God himself cursed;
+your gods are of nought, in hell they lie beneath. But nevertheless I
+will retain you in my power, for northward are the Peohtes, knights
+most brave, who oft into my land lead host most strong, and oft do me
+much shame, and therefore I have grief. And if ye will me avenge, and
+procure me their heads, I will give you land, much silver and gold."
+Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "If Saturnus so will
+it, and Woden, our lord, on whom we believe, it shall all thus be!"
+
+Hengest took leave, and gan wend to his ships; there was many a strong
+knight; they drew their ships upon the land. Forth went the warriors
+to Vortiger the king; Hengest went before, and Hors, next of all to
+him; then the Alemainish men, who were noble in deeds; and afterwards
+they sent to him (Vortiger) their brave Saxish knights, Hengest's
+kinsmen, of his old race. They came into hall, fairly all; better were
+clothed and better were fed Hengest's swains, than Vortiger's thanes!
+Then was Vortiger's court held in contempt! the Britons were sorry for
+such a sight.
+
+It was no whit long before five knights' sons who had travelled
+quickly came to the king; they said to the king new tidings: "Now
+forth-right the Peohtes are come; through thy land they run, and
+harry, and burn, and all the north end fell to the ground; hereof thou
+must advise thee, or we all shall be dead." The king bethought him
+what he might do, he sent to the inn, after all his men. There came
+Hengest, there came Hors, there came many a man full brave; there came
+the Saxish men, Hengest's kinsmen, and the Alemainish knights, who are
+good in fight. The King Vortiger saw this; blithe was he then there.
+
+The Peohtes did, as was their custom, on this side of the Humber they
+were come. And the King Vortiger of their coming was full aware;
+together they came (encountered), and many there slew; there was fight
+most strong, combat most stern! The Peohtes were oft accustomed to
+overcome Vortiger, and so they thought then to do, but it befell then
+in other wise, for it was safety to them (the Britons) that Hengest
+was there, and the strong knights who came from Saxland, and the brave
+Alemainish, who came thither with Hors, for very many Peohtes they
+slew in the fight; fiercely they fought, the fated fell! When the noon
+was come, then were the Peohtes overcome, and quickly away they fled,
+on each side they forth fled, and all day they fled, many and without
+number. The King Vortiger went back to lodging, and ever were nigh to
+him Hors and Hengest. Hengest was dear to the king, and to him he gave
+Lindesey, and he gave Hors treasures enow, and all their knights he
+treated exceeding well, and thus a good time it stood in the same
+wise. The Peohtes durst never come into the land, no robbers nor
+outlaws, that they were not soon slain; and Hengest exceeding fairly
+served the king.
+
+Then befell it on a time, that the king was very blithe, on a
+high-day, among his people. Hengest bethought him what he might do,
+for he would hold secret discourse with the king; he went before the
+king, and gan greet fair. The king up stood, and set him by himself;
+they drank, they revelled--bliss was among them. Then quoth Hengest to
+the king: "Lord, hearken tidings, and I will tell thee of secret
+discourse, if thou wilt well listen to my advice, and not hold in
+wrath what I well teach." And the king answered as Hengest would it.
+Then said Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Lord, I have many a day
+advanced thy honour, and been thy faithful man in thy rich court, and
+in each fight the highest of thy knights. And I have often heard
+anxious whisperings among thy courtiers; they hate thee exceedingly,
+unto the bare death, if they it durst show. Oft they speak stilly, and
+discourse with whispers, of two young men, that dwell far hence; the
+one hight Uther, the other Ambrosie--the third hight Constance who was
+king in this land, and he here was slain through traitorous usage. The
+others will now come, and avenge their brother, all consume thy land,
+and slay thy people, thyself and thy folk drive out of land. And thus
+say thy men, where they sit together, because the twain brothers are
+both royally born, of Androein's race, these noble Britons; and thus
+thy folk stilly condemn thee. But I will advise thee of thy great
+need, that thou procure knights that are good in fight; and give to me
+a castle, or a royal burgh, that I may be in, the while that I live.
+For I am for thee hated--therefore I ween to be dead, fare wherever I
+fare, I am never without care, unless I be fast inclosed in a castle.
+If thou wilt do this for me, I will it receive with love, and quickly
+I will send after my wife, who is a Saxish woman, of wisdom excellent,
+and after my daughter Rowenne, who is most dear to me. When I have my
+wife, and my kinsmen, and I am in thy land fully settled, the better I
+will serve thee, if thou grantest me this." Then answered Vortiger--of
+each evil he was ware--"Take quickly knights, and send after thy wife,
+and after thy children, the young and the old, and after thy kin, and
+receive them with joy; when they to thee come, thou shalt have riches
+to feed them nobly, and worthily to clothe them. But I will not give
+to thee any castle or burgh, for men would reproach me in my kingdom,
+for ye hold the heathen law that stood in your elders' days, and we
+hold Christ's law, and will ever in our days." The yet spake Hengest,
+fairest of all knights: "Lord, I will perform thy will, here and over
+all, and do all my deeds after thy counsel. Now will I speedily send
+after my wife, and after my daughter, who is to me very dear, and
+after brave men, the best of my kin. And thou give me so much land, to
+stand in mine own hand, as a bull's hide will each way overspread, far
+from each castle, amidst a field. Then nor the poor nor the rich may
+blame thee, that thou hast given any noble burgh to a heathen man."
+And the king granted him as Hengest yearned.
+
+Hengest took leave, and forth he gan pass, and after his wife he sent
+messengers, to his own land, and he himself went over this land, to
+seek a broad field whereon he might well spread his fair hide. He came
+to a spot, in a fair field, he had obtained a hide to his need, of a
+wild bull that was wondrously strong. He had a wise man, who well knew
+of craft, who took this hide, and laid it on a board, and whet his
+shears, as if he would shear. Of the hide he carved a thong, very
+small and very long, the thong was not very broad, but as it were a
+thread of twine; when the thong was all slit, it was wondrously long,
+about therewith he encompassed a great deal of land. He began to dig a
+ditch very mickle, there upon a stone wall, that was strong over all,
+a burgh he areared, mickle and lofty. When the burgh was all ready,
+then shaped he to it a name, he named it full truly Kaer-Carrai in
+British, and English knights they called it Thongchester. Now and
+evermore the name standeth there, and for no other adventure had the
+burgh the name, until that Danish men came, and drove out the Britons;
+the third name they set there, and Lanecastel (Lancaster) it named;
+and for such events the town had these three names.
+
+In the meantime arrived hither Hengest's wife with her ships; she had
+for companions fifteen hundred riders; with her came, to wit, mickle
+good ships; therein came much of Hengest's kin, and Rowenne, his
+daughter, who was to him most dear. It was after a while, that that
+time came, that the burgh was completed with the best of all. And
+Hengest came to the king, and asked him to a banquet, and said that he
+had prepared an inn against him (his coming) and bade that he should
+come thereto, and he should be fairly received. And the king granted
+him as Hengest it would.
+
+It came to the time that the king gan forth proceed, with the dearest
+men of all his folk; forth he gan proceed until he came to the burgh.
+He beheld the wall up and down over all; all it liked him well, that
+he on looked. He went into the hall, and all his knights with him;
+trumps they blew, games men gan to call, boards they ordered to be
+spread, knights sate thereat, they ate, they drank, joy was in the
+burgh!--when the folk had eaten, then was the better befallen to them.
+
+Hengest went into the inn, where Rowenne dwelt; he caused her to be
+clad with excessive pride; all the clothes that she had on, they were
+most excellent, they were good with the best, embroidered with gold.
+She bare in her hand a golden bowl, filled with wine, that was one
+wondrous good. High-born men led her into the hall before the king,
+fairest of all things! Rouwenne sate on her knee, and called to the
+king, and thus first she said in English land: "Lord king, wassail!
+for thy coming I am glad." The king this heard, and knew not what she
+said, the King Vortiger asked his knights soon, what were the speech
+that the maid spake. Then answered Keredic, a knight most admirable;
+he was the best interpreter that ere came here: "Listen to me now, my
+lord king, and I will make known to thee what Rowenne saith, fairest
+of all women. It is the custom in Saxland, wheresoever any people make
+merry in drink, that friend sayeth to his friend, with fair comely
+looks, 'Dear friend, wassail!'--the other sayeth, 'Drinchail!' The
+same that holds the cup, he drinketh it up; another full cup men
+thither bring, and give to his comrade. When the full cup is come,
+then kiss they thrice. These are the good customs in Saxland, and in
+Alemaine they are accounted noble!"
+
+Vortiger heard this--of each evil he was ware--and said it in British,
+for he knew no English: "Maiden Rouwenne, drink then blithely!" The
+maid drank up the wine, and let do (put) other wine therein, and gave
+to the king, and thrice him kissed. And through the same people the
+custom came to this land of Wassail and Drinchail--many a man thereof
+is glad' Rouwenne the fair sate by the king; the king beheld her
+longingly, she was dear to him in heart, oft he kissed her, oft he
+embraced her; all his mind and his might inclined towards the maiden.
+
+The Worse was there full nigh, who in each game is full cruel; the
+Worse who never did good, he troubled the king's mood; he mourned full
+much, to have the maiden for wife. That was a most loathly thing, that
+the Christian king should love the heathen maid, to the harm of his
+people! The maiden was dear to the king, even as his own life; he
+prayed to Hengest, his chieftain, that he should give him the
+maid-child. Hengest found in his counsel to do what the king asked
+him; he gave him Rouwenne, the woman most fair. To the king it was
+pleasing; he made her queen, all after the laws that stood in the
+heathen days; was there no Christendom, where the king took the maid,
+nor priest, nor any bishop, nor was God's book ever handled, but in
+the heathen fashion he wedded her, and brought her to his bed' Maiden
+he had her, and ample gift bestowed on her; when he had disgraced
+himself on her, he gave her London and Kent.
+
+The king had three sons, who were men exceeding fair; the eldest hight
+Vortimer,--Pascent, and Catiger. Garengan was an earl, who possessed
+Kent long, and his father before him, and he afterwards through his
+kin (by inheritance), when he best weened to hold his land, then had
+it the queen, and Hengest in his hand; strange it seemed to the
+knight, what the king thought. The king loved the heathens and harmed
+the Christians, the heathens had all this land to rule under their
+hand, and the king's three sons oft suffered sorrow and care. Their
+mother was then dead, therefore they had the less counsel--their
+mother was a woman most good, and led a life very Christian, and their
+stepmother was heathen, Hengest's daughter.
+
+It was not long but a while, that the king made a feast, exceeding
+great, the heathens he brought thereto, he weened most well to do;
+thither came thanes, knights and swains. And all that knew of book
+(the Christians) forsook the feast, for the heathen men were highest
+in the court, and the Christian fold was held for base; the heathens
+were blithe, for the king loved them greatly. Hengest bethought him
+what he might do; he came to the king, with a hailing (salutation),
+and drank to the king. Then thus spake Hengest, fairest of all knights
+who lived of heathen law in those days: "Hearken to me now, lord king,
+thou art to me dear through all things; thou hast my daughter, who is
+to me very dear, and I am to thee among folk as if I were thy father.
+Hearken to my instruction, it shall be to thee lief, for I wish
+chiefly to help counsel thee. Thy court hate thee on my account, and I
+am detested for thee, and thee hate kings, earls and thanes; they fare
+in thy land with a host exceeding strong. If thou wilt avenge thee
+with much worship, and do woe to thy enemies, send after my son Octa,
+and after another, Ebissa, his wed-brother. These are the noblest men
+that ever led army; and give them of thy land in the north end. They
+are of mickle might, and strong in fight; they will defend thy land
+well with the best; then mightest thou in joy thy life all spend, with
+hawks and with hounds court-play love; needest thou never have care of
+foreign people." Then answered Vortiger--of each evil he was
+ware--"Send thy messengers into Saxland, after thy son Octa, and after
+thy friends more. Cause him to know well, that he send his writs after
+all the knights that are good in fight, over all Saxland, that they
+come to my need, and though he bring ten thousand men, all they shall
+be welcome to me." Hengest heard this, fairest of all knights, then
+was he so blithe as he was never in his life.
+
+Hengest sent his messengers into Saxland, and bade Octa come, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa, and all of their kindred that they might gain, and
+all the knights that they might get. Octa sent messengers over three
+kingdoms, and bade each brave man speedily to come to him, who would
+obtain land, or silver or gold. They came soon to the army, as hail
+that falleth, that was to wit, with three hundred ships. Forth went
+with Octa thirty thousand and eke more, brave men and keen; and
+Ebissa, his companion, afterwards arrived with numberless folk, and he
+led to wit an hundred and fifty ships; thereafter arrived five and
+five, by six, by seven, by ten, and by eleven; and thus the heathen
+warriors they arrived toward this land, to the court of this king, so
+that this land was so full of foreign people, that there was no man so
+wise, nor so quick-witted, that might separate the Christians and the
+heathens, for the heathens were so rife, and ever they speedily came!
+
+When the Britons saw that sorrow was in the land, therefore they were
+sorry, and in their heart dreary, and proceeded to the king, the
+highest of this land, and thus to him said with sorrowful voice:
+"Listen to us, lord king, of our discourse; thou art through us (by
+our means) bold king in this Britain, and thou hast procured to thee
+harm and much sin; brought heathen folk--yet it may thee harm;--and
+thou forsakest God's law, for foreign folk, and wilt not worship our
+Lord, for these heathen knights. And we would pray thee, for all God's
+peace, that thou leave them, and drive from thy land. If thou else
+(otherwise) mightest not, we will make mickle fight, and drive them
+from land, or fell them down, or we ourselves will lie slain, and let
+the heathen folk hold this realm, possess it with joy, if they may it
+win. And if they all are heathen, and thou alone Christian, they will
+never long have thee for king, except thou in thy days receive the
+heathen law, and desert the high God, and praise their idols. Then
+shalt thou perish in this world's realm, and thy wretched soul sink to
+hell; then hast thou dearly bought the love of thy bride!" Then
+answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware:--"I will not leave them,
+by my quick life! For Hengest is hither come, he is my father, and I
+his son; and I have for mistress his daughter Rouwenne, and I have
+wedded her, and had in my bed, and afterwards I sent after Octa, and
+after more of his companions;--how might I for shame shun them so
+soon, and drive from land my dear friends?" Then answered the Britons,
+with sorrow bound: "We will nevermore obey thy commands, nor come to
+thy court, nor hold thee for king, but we will hate thee with great
+strength, and all thine heathen friends with harm greet. Be Christ
+now, that is God's son, our help!" Forth went the earls, forth went
+the lords, forth went the bishops, and the book-learned men, forth
+went the thanes, forth went the swains, all the Britons, until they
+came to London.
+
+There was many a noble Briton at the husting, and the king's three
+sons they all were come thither; there was Vortimer, Pascent, and
+Catiger, and very many others, that came with the brothers; all the
+folk came thither, that loved the Christendom. And all the rich men
+betook them to counsel, and took the king's eldest son, who was come
+to the husting, and with mickle song of praise elevated him to be
+king. Then was Vortimer Christian king there, and Vortiger, his
+father, followed the heathens. All thus it happened, as the counsel
+was done.
+
+And Vortimer, the young king, was most keen through all things; he
+sent Hengest and Hors his brother, unless speedily they departed from
+this realm, he would evil do to them, both blind and hang them; and
+his own father he would destroy, and all the heathens, with great
+strength. Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Here we will
+dwell winter and summer, ride and run with the King Vortiger; and all
+that with Vortimer go, they shall have sorrow and care!" Vortimer
+heard that--he was wise and most wary--and caused a host to be
+assembled over all this land, that all the Christian folk should come
+to his court. Vortimer, the young king, in London held his husting;
+the king ordered each man that loved the Christendom, that they all
+should hate the heathens, and bring the heads of them to Vortimer the
+king, and have twelve pennies for reward, for his good deed. Vortimer
+the young marched out of London, and Pascent, his brother, and
+Catiger, the other; to them was come word, that Hengest lay at
+Epiford, upon the water that men name Darwent. There came together
+sixty thousand men; on one half was Vortimer, Pascent, and Catiger,
+and all the folk that loved our Lord; on the other half were chiefs
+with Vortiger the king, Hengest and his brother, and many thousand
+others. Together they came, and combated with might; there fell to the
+ground two and thirty hundred of Hengest's men; and Hors was wounded.
+Catiger came there, and with his spear ran him through, and Hors
+forth-right there wounded Catiger. And Hengest gan to flee with all
+his followers, and Vortiger the king fled forth as the wind; they flew
+forth into Kent, and Vortimer went after them; there upon the seashore
+Hengest suffered pain; there they gan to halt, and fought very long;
+five thousand there were slain, and deprived of lifeday, of Vortiger's
+men, of the heathen race.
+
+Hengest bethought him what he might do; he saw there beside a haven
+very large, many good ships there stood in the sea-flood. They saw on
+their right hand an island exceeding fair, it is called Thanet;
+thitherward they were brisk; there the Saxish men sought the sea, and
+anon gan pass into the island. And the Britons followed after them,
+with many kind of crafts, and surrounded them on each side; with ships
+and with boats they gan to smite and shoot. Oft was Hengest woe, and
+never worse than then; unless he did other counsel he should there be
+dead. He took a spear-shaft, that was long and very tough, and put on
+the end a fair mantle, and called to the Britons, and bade them abide;
+he would speak with them, and yearn the king's grace, and send
+Vortiger with peace to the land, to make this agreement that he might
+depart without more shame into Saxland.
+
+The Britons went to the land, to Vortimer their king, and Hengest
+spake with Vortiger, in most secret converse. Vortiger went on the
+land, and bare a wand in his hand. The while that they spake of peace
+the Saxons leapt into their ships, and drew up high their sails to the
+top, and proceeded with weather in the wild sea, and left in this land
+their wives and their children, and Vortiger the king, who loved them
+through all things. With much grief of mind Vortiger gan away fare; so
+long they proceeded, that in Saxland they were (arrived). Then were in
+Britain the Britons most bold; they assumed to them mickle mood, and
+did all that seemed good to them; and Vortimer, the young king, was
+doughty man through all things. And Vortiger, his father, proceeded
+over this Britain, but it was no man so poor, that did not revile him,
+and so he gan to wander full five years. And his son Vortimer dwelt
+here powerful king, and all this nation loved him greatly. He was mild
+to each man, and taught the folk God's law, the young and the old, how
+they should hold Christendom.
+
+He sent letters to Rome, to the excellent Pope, who was named Saint
+Romain--all Christendom he made glad.--He took two bishops, holy men
+they were both, Germain and Louis, of Auxerre and of Troyes; they
+proceeded out of Rome, so that they hither came. Then was Vortimer so
+blithe as he was never ere here; he and all his knights went
+forth-right on their bare feet towards the bishops, and with much
+mirth mouths there kissed. Now mayest thou hear of the King Vortimer,
+how he spake with Saint Germain,--for their coming he was glad.
+"Listen to me, lordings, I am king of this people; I hight Vortimer,
+my brother hight Catiger; and Vortiger hight our father--miscounsel
+followeth him! He hath brought into this land heathen people; but we
+have put them to flight, as our full foes, and felled with weapon many
+thousands of them, and sent them over sea-stream, so that they never
+shall come again. And we shall in land worship our Lord, comfort God's
+folk, and friendly it maintain, and be mild to the land-tillers;
+churches we shall honour, and heathendom hate. Each good man shall
+have his right, if God it will grant, and each thral and each slave be
+set free. And here I give to you in hand each church-land all free;
+and I forgive to each widow her lord's testament, and each shall love
+other as though they were brothers. And thus we shall in our day put
+down Hengest's laws, and him and his heathendom that he hither
+brought, and deceived my father through his treacherous crafts;
+through his daughter Rowenne he betrayed my father. And my father so
+evilly began, that he shunned the Christendom, and loved the heathen
+laws too much, which we shall avoid the while that we live."
+
+Then answered Saint Germain--for such words he was glad:--"I thank my
+Lord, who shaped the daylight, that he such mercy sent to mankind!"
+These bishops proceeded over this land, and set it all in God's hand,
+and the Christendom they righted, and the folk thereto instructed; and
+then soon thereafter they departed to Rome, and said to the Pope, who
+was named Romain, how they had done here, restored the Christendom.
+And thus it stood a time in the same wise.
+
+Go we yet to Vortiger--of all kings be he most wretched!--he loved
+Rowenne, of the heathen race, Hengest's daughter, she seemed to him
+well soft. Rowenne bethought her what she might do, how she might
+avenge her father and her friends' death. Oft she sent messengers to
+Vortimer the king; she sent him treasures of many a kind, of silver
+and of gold, the best of any land; she asked his favour, that she
+might here dwell with Vortiger his father, and follow his counsels.
+The king for his father's request granted to her her prayer, except
+that she should do well, and love the Christendom; all that the king
+yearned, all she it granted. But alas! that Vortimer was not aware of
+her thought; alas! that the good king of her thought knew nothing;
+that he knew not the treachery that the wicked woman thought!
+
+It befell on a time she betook her to counsel, that she would go to
+the King Vortimer, and do by his counsel all her need, and at what
+time she might do well, and receive the Christendom. Forth she gan
+ride to Vortimer the king; when she him met, fair she greeted him:
+"Hail be thou, lord king, Britain's darling! I am come to thee;
+Christendom I will receive, on the same day that thou thyself deemest
+fit."
+
+Then was Vortimer the king blithe through all things; he weened that
+it were sooth what the wretch said. Trumpets there blew, bliss was in
+the court; forth men brought the water before the king; they sate then
+at the board with much bliss. When the king had eaten, then went the
+thanes-men to meat; in hall they drank; harps there resounded. The
+treacherous Rowenne went to a tun, wherein was placed the king's
+dearest wine. She took in hand a bowl of red gold, and she gan to pour
+out on the king's bench. When she saw her time, she filled her vessel
+with wine, and before all the company she went to the king, and thus
+the treacherous woman hailed him (drank his health): "Lord king,
+wassail, for thee I am most joyful!" Hearken now the great treachery
+of the wicked woman, how she gan there betray the King Vortimer! The
+king received her fair, to his own destruction. Vortimer spake
+British, and Rowenne Saxish; to the king it seemed game enow, for her
+speech he laughed. Hearken how she took on, this deceitful woman! In
+her bosom she bare, beneath her teats, a golden phial filled with
+poison; and the wicked Rowenne drank (or drenched) the bowl, until she
+had half done, after the king's will. The while that the king laughed,
+she drew out the phial; the bowl she set to her chin, the poison she
+poured in the wine, and afterwards she delivered the cup to the king;
+the king drank all the wine, and the poison therein. The day forth
+passed, bliss was in the court, for Vortimer the good king of the
+treachery knew nothing, for he saw Rowenne hold the bowl, and drink
+half of the same wine that she had put therein. When it came to the
+night, then separated the courtiers; and the evil Rowenne went to her
+inn, and all her knights with her forth-right. Then ordered she her
+swains, and eke the thanes all, that they in haste their horse should
+saddle; and they most still to steal out of the burgh, and proceed all
+by night to Thwongchester forth-right, and there most fast to inclose
+them in a castle, and lie to Vortiger, that his son would besiege him.
+And Vortiger the false king believed the leasing.
+
+Now understood Vortimer, his son, that he had taken poison; might no
+leechcraft help him any whit. He took many messengers, and sent over
+his land, and bade all his knights to come to him forth-right. When
+the folk was arrived, then was the king exceeding ill; then asked the
+king their peace, and thus he spake with them all: "Of all knights are
+ye best that serve any king; there is of me no other hap, but that
+speedily I be dead. Here I deliver you my land, all my silver and all
+my gold, and all my treasures--your worship is the greater. And ye
+forth-right send after knights, and give them silver and gold, and
+hold ye yourselves your land, and avenge you, if ye can, of Saxish
+men; for when as I be departed, Hengest will make care to you. And
+take ye my body, and lay in a chest, and carry me to the sea strand,
+where Saxish men will come on land; anon as they know me there, away
+they will go; neither alive nor dead dare they abide me!"
+
+Among all this discourse the good king died; there was weeping, there
+was lament, and piteous cries! They took the king's body, and carried
+to London, and beside Belyns-gate buried him fair; and carried him no
+whit as the king ordered. Thus lived Vortimer, and thus he ended
+there.
+
+Then the Britons fell into evil counsel; they took Vortiger anon, and
+delivered him all this kingdom; there was a well rueful thing, now was
+eft Vortiger king! Vortiger took his messengers, and sent to Saxland,
+and greeted well Hengest, fairest of all knights, and bade him in
+haste to come to this land, and with him should bring here a hundred
+riders. "For that know thou through all things, that dead is Vortimer
+the king, and safe thou mayest hither come, for dead is Vortimer my
+son. It is no need for thee to bring with thee much folk, least our
+Britons eft be angry, so that sorrow eft come between you."
+
+Hengest assembled a host of many kind of land, so that he had to wit
+seven hundred ships, and each ship he filled with three hundred
+knights; in the Thames at London Hengest came to land. The tidings
+came full soon to Vortiger the king, that Hengest was in haven with
+seven hundred ships. Oft was Vortiger woe, but never worse than then,
+and the Britons were sorry, and sorrowful in heart; they knew not in
+the worlds-realm counsel that were to them pleasing. Hengest was of
+evil ware--that he well showed there--he took soon his messengers, and
+sent to the king, and greeted Vortiger the king with words most fair,
+and said that he was come as a father should to his son; with peace
+and with friendship he would dwell in amity; peace he would love, and
+wrong he would shun; peace he would have, peace he would hold; and all
+this nation he would love, and love Vortiger the king through all
+things. But he had brought, in this land, out of Saxland, seven
+hundred ships of heathen folk, "who are the bravest of all men that
+dwell under the sun, and I will," quoth Hengest, "lead them all to the
+king, at a set day, before all his people. And the king shall arise,
+and choose of the knights two hundred knights, to lead to his fight,
+who shall guard the king preciously through all things. And afterwards
+the others shall depart to their land, with peace and with amity,
+again to Saxland; and I will remain with the best of all men, that is
+Vortiger the king, whom I love through all things." The tidings came
+to the Britons how Hengest them promised; then were they fain for his
+fair words, and set they peace and set amity to such a time that the
+king on a day would see this folk. Hengest heard that, fairest of all
+knights; then was he so blithe as he was never ere in life, for he
+thought to deceive the king in his realm. Here became Hengest
+wickedest of knights; so is every man that deceiveth one, who benefits
+him. Who would ween, in this worlds-realm, that Hengest thought to
+deceive the king who had his daughter! For there is never any man,
+that men may not over-reach with treachery. They took an appointed
+day, that these people should come them together with concord and with
+peace, in a plain that was pleasant beside Ambresbury; the place was
+Aelenge, now hight it Stonehenge. There Hengest the traitor either by
+word or by writ made known to the king, that he would come with his
+forces, in honour of the king, but he would not bring in retinue but
+three hundred knights, the wisest men of all that he might find. And
+the king should bring as many on his side bold thanes, and who should
+be the wisest of all that dwelt in Britain, with their good vestments,
+all without weapons, that no evil should happen to them, through
+confidence of the weapons. Thus they it spake, and eft they it brake,
+for Hengest the traitor thus gan he teach his comrades, that each
+should take a long saex (knife), and lay by his shank, within his
+hose, where he it might hide. When they came together, the Saxons and
+Britons, then quoth Hengest, most deceitful of all knights: "Hail be
+thou, lord king, each is to thee thy subject! If ever any of thy men
+hath weapon by his side, send it with friendship far from ourselves,
+and be we in amity, and speak we of concord; how we may with peace our
+lives live." Thus the wicked man spake there to the Britons. Then
+answered Vortiger--here he was too unwary--"If here is any knight so
+wild, that hath weapon by his side, he shall lose the hand through his
+own brand, unless he soon send it hence." Their weapons they sent
+away, then had they nought in hand;--knights went upward, knights went
+downward, each spake with other as if he were his brother.
+
+When the Britons were mingled with the Saxons, then called Hengest, of
+knights most treacherous, "Take your saexes, my good warriors, and
+bravely bestir you, and spare ye none!" Noble Britons were there, but
+they knew not of the speech, what the Saxish men said them between.
+They drew out the saexes, all aside; they smote on the right side,
+they smote on the left side, before and behind they laid them to the
+ground, all they slew that they came nigh; of the king's men there
+fell four hundred and five--woe was the king alive! Then Hengest
+grasped him with his grim gripe, and drew him to him by the mantle, so
+that the strings brake. And the Saxons set on him, and would the king
+kill, and Hengest gan him defend, and would not suffer it; but he held
+him full fast, the while the fight lasted. There was many noble Briton
+bereaved of the life! Some they fled quickly over the broad plain, and
+defended them with stones, for weapons had they none. There was fight
+exceeding hard, there fell many a good knight! There was a bold churl
+of Salisbury come, he bare on his back a great strong club.
+
+Then was there a noble earl, named Aldolf, knight with the best, he
+possessed Gloucester, he leapt to the churl, as if it were a lion, and
+took from him the club, that he bare on his back; whomsoever he smote
+therewith, there forth-right he died; before and behind he laid them
+to the ground. Three and fifty there he slew and afterwards drew
+towards a steed, he leapt upon the steed, and quickly gan him ride, he
+rode to Gloucester, and the gates locked full fast. And anon
+forth-right caused his knights to arm, and marched over all the land,
+and took what they found, they took cattle, they took corn, and all
+that they found alive, and brought to the burgh with great bliss; the
+gates they closed fast, and well them guarded.
+
+Let we it thus stand, and speak we of the king. The Saxons leapt
+towards him, and would kill the king, but Hengest called forth-right,
+"Stop, my knights, ye shall him not destroy; for us he hath had much
+care, and he hath for queen my daughter who is fair. But all his
+burghs he shall deliver to us, if he will enjoy his life, or else is
+sorrow given to him." Then was Vortiger fast bound, gyves exceeding
+great they put on his feet, he might not ever bite meat, nor speak
+with any friend, ere he had to them sworn upon relic that was choice,
+that he would deliver them all this kingdom, in hand, burghs and
+castles, and all his kingdoms. And all so he did, as it was deemed.
+And Hengest took in his hand all this rich kingdom, and divided among
+his people much of this land. He gave an earl all Kent, as it lay by
+London, he gave his steward Essex, and on his chamberlain he bestowed
+Middlesex. The knights received it, and a while they held it, the
+while Vortiger proceeded over this land, and delivered to Hengest his
+noble burghs. And Hengest forth-right placed his knights therein, the
+while much of the baser people lay in Sussex, and in Middlesex much of
+the race, and in Essex their noblest folk. The meat they carried off,
+all that they found, they violated the women, and God's law brake,
+they did in the land all that they would.
+
+The Britons saw that, that mischief was in the land, and how the
+Saxish men were come to them. The Britons shaped to the land a name
+for the shame of Saxish men, and for the treachery that they had done,
+and for that cause that they with knives bereaved them of life, then
+called they all the land East-Sex and West-Sex, and the third
+Middle-Sex. Vortiger the king gave them all this land, so that a turf
+of land did not remain to him in hand. And Vortiger himself fled over
+Severn, far into Welsh-land, and there he gan tarry, and his retinue
+with him, that poor was become. And he had in hoard treasure most
+large, he caused his men to ride wide and far, and caused to be
+summoned to him men of each kind, whosoever would yearn his fee with
+friendship. That heard the Britons, that heard the Scots, they came to
+him riding, thereafter full soon; on each side thither they gan ride,
+many a noble man's son, for gold and for treasure. When he had
+together sixty thousand men, then assembled he the nobles that well
+could advise: "Good men, say me counsel, for to me is great need,
+where I might in wilderness work a castle, wherein I might live with
+my men, and hold it against Hengest with great strength, until that I
+might the better win my burghs, and avenge me of my enemies who felled
+my friends, and have all my kingdom wrested out of my hand, and thus
+driven me out, my full foes?" Then answered a wise man, who well could
+counsel: "Listen now to me, lord king, and I will show to thee a good
+thing; upon the mount of Reir I will advise, that thou work a castle
+with strong stone wall, for there thou mightest dwell, and live with
+joy; and yet thou hast in thy hand much silver and gold, to maintain
+thy people who shall thee help, and so thou mightest in life live best
+of all." Then answered the king: "Let it be made known in haste, over
+my numerous host, that I will go to the mount of Reir, and rear there
+a castle."
+
+Forth went the king, and the host with him; when they thither came, a
+dyke they began soon; horns there blew, machines hewed; lime they gan
+to burn, and over the land to run, and all west Welsh-land set in
+Vortiger's hand; all they it took, that they nigh came. When the dyke
+was dug, and thoroughly deepened, then began they a wall on the dyke
+over all, and they laid together lime and stone; of machines there was
+plenty--five-and-twenty hundred! In the day they laid the wall, in the
+night it fell over all, in the morrow they reared it, in the night it
+gan to tumble! Full a se'nnight so it them served, each day they
+raised it, and each night it gan fall! Then was the king sorry, and
+sorrowful through all things, so was all the host terribly afraid; for
+ever they looked when Hengest should come upon them.
+
+The king was full sorry, and sent after sages, after world-wise men,
+who knew wisdom, and bade them cast lots, and try incantations, try
+the truth with their powerful craft, on what account it were, that the
+wall that was so strong might not ever stand a night long. These world
+wise men there went in two parties, some they went to the wood, some
+to the cross ways; they gan to cast lots with their incantations, full
+three nights their crafts there they practised, they might never find,
+through never anything, on what account it were, that the wall that
+was so strong every night fell down, and the king lost his labour. But
+there was one sage, he was named Joram, he said that he it found--but
+it seemed leasing--he said that if men found in ever any land, ever
+any male child, that never had father, and opened his breast, and took
+of his blood, and mingled with the lime, and laid in the wall, that
+then might it stand to the world's end. The word came to the king, of
+the leasing, and he it believed, though it were false. Soon he took
+his messengers, and sent over all the land, so far as they for care
+(fear) of death durst anyways fare, and in each town hearkened the
+rumours, where they might find speak of such a child.
+
+These knights forth proceeded wide over the land; two of the number
+went a way that lay right west, that lay forth-right in where now
+Caermarthen is. Beside the burgh, in a broad way, all the burgh-lads
+had a great play. These knights were weary, and in heart exceeding
+sorry, and sate down by the play, and beheld these lads. After a
+little time they began striving--as it was ever custom among
+children's play,--the one smote the other, and he these blows
+suffered. Then was exceeding wrath Dinabuz toward Merlin, and thus
+quoth Dinabuz, who had the blow: "Merlin, wicked man, why hast thou
+thus done to me? Thou hast done me much shame, therefore thou shalt
+have grief. I am a king's son, and thou art born of nought; thou
+oughtest not in any spot to have free man's abode, for so was all the
+adventure, thy mother was a whore, for she knew not ever the man that
+begat thee on her, nor haddest thou any father among mankind. And thou
+in our land makest us to be shamed, thou art among us come, and art
+son of no man; thou shalt therefore in this day suffer death." The
+knights heard this, where they were aside; they arose up, and went
+near, and earnestly asked of this strange tale, that they heard of the
+lad.
+
+Then was in Caermarthen a reve that hight Eli; the knights quickly
+came to the reve, and thus to him said soon with mouth:
+
+"We are here-right Vortiger's knights, and have found here a young lad
+he is named Merlin, we know no whit his kin. Take him in haste, and
+send him to the king, as thou wilt live, and thy limbs have, and his
+mother with him, who bore him to be man. If thou this wilt do, the
+king will receive them, and if thou carest it not, therefore thou wilt
+be driven out, and this burgh all consumed, this folk all destroyed."
+Then answered Eli, the reve of Caermarthen "Well I wot, that all this
+land stands in Vortiger's hand, and we are all his men--his honour is
+the more!--and we shall do this gladly, and perform his will." Forth
+went the reve, and the burghers his associates, and found Merlin, and
+his playfellows with him Merlin they took, and his companions laughed,
+when that Merlin was led away, then was Dinabuz full glad, he weened
+that he were led away for to lose his limbs, but all another way set
+the doom, ere it were all done.
+
+Now was Merlin's mother strangely become in a noble minster a hooded
+nun. Thither went Eli, the reve of Caermarthen, and took him the good
+lady, where she lay in the minster, and forth gan him run to the King
+Vortiger, and much folk with him, and led the nun and Merlin. The word
+(tidings) was soon made known to the King Vortiger's mouth, that Eli
+was come, and had brought the lady, and that Merlin her son was with
+her there come. Then was Vortiger blithe in life, and received the
+lady, with looks most fair and honour promised, and Merlin he
+delivered to twelve good knights, who were faithful to the king, and
+him should guard. Then said the King Vortiger, with the nun he spake
+there: "Good lady, say to me--well it shall be to thee--where wert
+thou born, who begat thee to be child?" Then answered the nun, and
+named her father:--"The third part of all this land stood in my
+father's hand, of the land he was king, known it was wide, he was
+named Conaan, lord of knights." Then answered the king, as if she were
+of his kin: "Lady, say thou it to me--well it shall be to thee--here
+is Merlin thy son, who begat him? Who was held for father to him among
+the folk?" Then hung she her head, and bent toward her breast; by the
+king she sate full softly, and thought a little while, after a while
+she spake, and said to the king: "King, I will tell thee marvellous
+stories. My father Conaan the king loved me through all things, then
+became I in stature wondrously fair. When I was fifteen years of age,
+then dwelt I in bower, in my mansion, my maidens with me, wondrously
+fair. And when I was in bed in slumber, with my soft sleep, then came
+before me the fairest thing that ever was born, as if it were a tall
+knight, arrayed all of gold. This I saw in dream each night in sleep.
+This thing glided before me, and glistened of gold, oft it me kissed,
+and oft it me embraced, oft it approached me, and oft it came to me
+very nigh; when I at length looked to myself--strange this seemed to
+me--my meat to me was loathsome, my limbs unusual, strange it seemed
+to me, what it might be! Then perceived I at the end that I was with
+child, when my time came, this boy I had. I know not in this world
+what his father were, nor who begat him in this worlds-realm, nor
+whether it were evil thing, or on God's behalf dight. Alas! as I pray
+for mercy, I know not any more to say to thee of my son, how he is
+come to the world." The nun bowed her head down, and covered her
+features.
+
+The king bethought him what he might do, and drew to him good
+councillors to counsel, and they said him counsel with the best, that
+he should send for Magan, who was a marvellous man.--He was a wise
+clerk, and knew of many crafts; he would advise well, he could far
+direct, he knew of the craft that dwelleth in the sky (astronomy), he
+could tell of each history (or language). Magan came to court where
+the king dwelt, and greeted the king with goodly words: "Hail be thou
+and sound, Vortiger the king! I am come to thee, show me thy will."
+Then answered the king, and told the clerk all, how the nun had said,
+and asked him thereof counsel, from the beginning to the end, all he
+him told. Then said Magan: "I know full well hereon. There dwell in
+the sky many kind of beings, that there shall remain until domesday
+arrive; some they are good, and some they work evil. Therein is a race
+very numerous, that cometh among men; they are named full truly Incubi
+Daemones; they do not much harm, but deceive the folk; many a man in
+dream oft they delude, and many a fair woman through their craft
+childeth anon, and many a good man's child they beguile through magic.
+And thus was Merlin begat, and born of his mother, and thus it is all
+transacted," quoth the clerk Magan.
+
+Then said Merlin to the king himself: "King, thy men have taken me,
+and I am to thee come, and I would learn what is thy will, and for
+what thing I am brought to the king?" Then said the king with quick
+speech: "Merlin, thou art hither come; thou art son of no man! Much
+thou longest after loath speech; learn thou wilt the adventure--now
+thou shalt hear it. I have begun a work with great strength, that hath
+my treasure well much taken away; five thousand men work each day
+thereon. And I have lime and stone, in the world is none better, nor
+in any land workmen so good. All that they lay in the day--in sooth I
+may say it--ere day in the morrow all it is down; each stone from the
+other felled to the ground! Now say my wise and my sage men, that if I
+take thy blood, out of thy breast, and work my will, and put to my
+lime, then may it stand to the world's end. Now thou knowest it all,
+how it shall be to thee." Merlin heard this, and angered in his mood,
+and said these words, though he were wrath: "God himself, who is lord
+of men, will it never, that the castle should stand for my heart's
+blood, nor ever thy stone wall lie still. For all thy sages are
+exceeding deceitful, they say leasings before thyself--that thou shalt
+find in this day's space. For Joram said this, who is my full foe; the
+tidings seem to me sport, I was shapen to his bane! Let Joram thy sage
+come before thee, and all his companions, forth-right here, who told
+these leasings to the king, and if I say thee my sooth words of thy
+wall, and why it down falleth, and with sooth it prove, that their
+tales are leasing, give me their heads, if I thy work heal." Then
+answered the king with quick voice: "So help me my hand, this covenant
+I hold thee!"
+
+To the king was brought Joram the sage, and seven of his companions--
+all they were fated to die! Merlin angered, and he spake wrathly:--
+"Say me, Joram, traitor--loathsome to me in heart--why falleth this
+wall to the ground, say me why it happeneth that the wall falleth,
+what men may find at the dyke's bottom?" Joram was still, he could not
+tell. Then said Merlin these words: "King, hold to me covenant! Cause
+this dyke to be dug anon seven feet deeper than it is now; they shall
+find a stone wondrously fair, it is fair and broad, for folk to
+behold." The dyke was dug seven feet deeper, then they found anon
+there-right the stone. Then said Merlin these words: "King, hold to me
+covenant! Say to me, Joram, man to me most hateful, and say to this
+king what kind of thing hath taken station under this stone?" Joram
+was still; he could not tell.
+
+Then said Merlin a wonder: "A water here is under; do away this stone,
+the water ye shall find anon." They did away the stone before the king
+anon, the water they found anon. Then said Merlin: "Ask me Joram, who
+is my full foe, after a while, to say thee of the bottom, what
+dwelleth in the water, winter and summer." The king asked Joram, but
+he knew nought thereof. The yet said Merlin these words: "King, hold
+to me covenant! Cause this water to be carried off, and away cast;
+there dwell at the bottom two strong dragons; the one is on the north
+side, the other on the south side, the one is milk-white, to each
+beast unlike, the other as red as blood, boldest of all worms! Each
+midnight they begin to fight, and through their fight thy works fell,
+the earth began to sink, and thy wall to tumble; and through such
+wonder thy wall is fallen, that happened in this flood, and not for my
+blood." This water was all carried off; the king's men were glad,
+great was the bliss before the monarch, and soon there-after they were
+sorry; ere the day came to an end, strange tidings they heard.
+
+When the water was all carried off, and the pit was empty, then came
+out these two dragons, and made great din, and fought fiercely down in
+the dyke. Never saw any man any loathlier fight; flames of fire flew
+from their mouths! The monarch saw this fight, their grim gestures;
+then was he astonished in this worlds-realm, what this tokening were,
+that he saw there at the bottom, and how Merlin knew it, that no other
+man knew. First was the white above, and afterwards he was beneath,
+and the red dragon wounded him to death; and either went to his hole--
+no man born saw them afterwards! Thus fared this thing that Vortiger
+the king saw. And all that were with him loved Merlin greatly; and the
+king hated Joram, and deprived him of his head, and all his seven
+comrades that with him were there.
+
+The king went to his house, and led Merlin with him, and said to him
+with much love: "Merlin, thou art welcome, and I will give thee all
+that thou desirest, of my land, of silver and of gold." He weened
+through Merlin to win all the land, but it happened all otherwise ere
+the day's end came. The king thus asked his dear friend Merlin, "Say
+me now, Merlin, man to me dearest, what betoken the dragons that made
+the din, and the stone, and the water, and the wondrous fight? Say me,
+if thy will is, what betokeneth all this? And afterwards thou must
+counsel me how I shall guide me, and how I may win my kingdom from
+Hengest, my wife's father, who hath harmed me greatly." Then answered
+Merlin to the king that spake with him: "King, thou art unwise, and
+foolish in counsel, thou askest of the dragons that made the din, and
+what betokened their fight, and their fierce assaults? They betoken
+kings that yet are to come, and their fight, and their adventure, and
+their fated folk! But if thou wert so wise a man, and so prudent in
+thought, that thou haddest inquired of me of thy many sorrows, thy
+great care, that is to come to thee, I would say to thee of thy
+sorrow." Then quoth Vortiger the king: "Dear friend Merlin, say me of
+the things that are to come to me." "Blithely," quoth Merlin, with
+bold voice, "I will say to thee; but ever it will thee rue. King,
+king, be-see thee (see to thyself), sorrow is to thee given of
+Constantine's kin!--his son thou killedest; thou causedest Constance
+to be slain, who was king in this land; thou causedst thy Peohtes to
+betray (or destroy) him basely; therefore thou shalt suffer sorrows
+most of all! Afterwards thou drewest upon thee foreign people, the
+Saxons to this land, therefore thou shalt be destroyed! Now are the
+barons of Britain arrived; it is, Aurelie and Uther--now thou art
+thereof aware;--they shall come to-morrow, full truly, in this land at
+Totnes, I do thee well to wit, with seven hundred ships; and now they
+sail speedily in the sea. Thou hast much evil done to them, and now
+thou must the harm receive; thou hast on both sides bane that to thee
+shall seem; for now thy foes are before thee, and thy enemies behind.
+But flee, flee thy way, and save thy life--and flee whither that thou
+fleest, they will pursue after thee! Ambrosie Aurelie he shall have
+first this kingdom; but he through draught of poison shall suffer
+death. And afterwards shall Uther Pendragon have this kingdom; but thy
+kin shall kill him with poison; but ere he suffer death, he shall din
+(contest) make. Uther shall have a son, out of Cornwall he shall come,
+that shall be a wild boar, bristled with steel; the boar shall consume
+the noble burghs; he shall destroy (or devour) all the traitors with
+authority; he shall kill with death all thy rich kindred; he shall be
+man most brave, and noble in thought; hence into Rome this same shall
+rule; all his foes he shall fell to the ground. Sooth I have said to
+thee, but it is not to thee the softer;--but flee with thine host, thy
+foes come to thee to thy court!" Then Merlin the wise ceased his
+words, and the king caused thirteen trumpets to be blown, and marched
+forth with his army exceeding quickly. There was not forth-right but
+space of one night, that the brothers came, both together, to the
+sea-strand full truly, at Dartmouth in Totnes.
+
+The Britons heard this, and were full surely blithe; they drew
+themselves out of the woods, and out of the wilderness, by sixty, and
+by sixty, and by seven hundred, by thirty, and by thirty, and by many
+thousands--when they came together, full good it seemed to them! And
+the brothers brought to this land a numerous host, and here came
+before them these bold Britons, a numerous folk, who would it all
+avenge, that ere were over the woods wondrously scattered, through the
+mickle dread, and through the great misery, and through the mickle
+harm that Hengest wrought them, and who had murdered all their chief
+men with knives, with axes cut in pieces the good thanes! The Britons
+held husting with great wisdom; they took anon Aurelie, the elder
+brother, in the noble husting, and raised him to be king. Then were
+the Britons filled with bliss, blithe in mood who ere were mournful.
+These tidings came to Vortiger the king, that Aurelie was chosen and
+raised to be king. Then was Vortiger woe, and eft to him was worse!
+Vortiger proceeded far to a castle, named Genoure, upon a high mount;
+Cloard hight the mount, and Hergin hight the land, near the Wye, that
+is a fair water (stream). Vortiger's men took all that they came nigh;
+they took weapons and meat, on many a wise; to the castle they brought
+as much as they cared for, so that they had enow, though it little
+helped them. Aurehe and Uther were aware of Vortiger, where he was
+upon Cloard, inclosed in a castle. They caused trumpets to be blown,
+their host to be assembled--a numerous folk of many a land--they
+marched to Genoure, where Vortiger lay. A king was within, a king was
+without; knights there fought with fierce encounters; every good man
+made himself ready. When they saw that they had not the victory, then
+a wondrous great force went to the wood; they felled the wood down,
+and drew to the castle, and filled all the dyke that was wondrously
+deep. And fire they sent in, on every side, and called to Vortiger:
+"Now thou shalt warm thee there, for thou slewest Constance, who was
+king of this land, and afterwards Constantine his son. Now is Aurelie
+come, and Uther his brother, who send thee bale!" The wind wafted the
+fire, so that it burnt wonderfully; the castle gan to burn, the
+chambers there were consumed; the halls fell to the ground. Might no
+man there against the fire make fight; the fire went over all, and
+burnt house, and burnt wall; and the King Vortiger therein he gan to
+burn; all it was consumed that therein dwelt! Thus ended there, with
+mickle harm, Vortiger!
+
+Then Aurelie had all the land in his hand. There was the strong earl,
+named Aldolf, he was of Gloucester, of all knights skilfullest; there
+in the land Aurehe made him his steward. Then had Aurelie, and Uther
+his brother, felled their foes, and were therefore the blither!
+Hengest heard this, strongest of all knights; then was he afraid
+exceeding greatly. He marched his host, and fled toward the Scots, and
+Aurelie the king went after him in haste. And Hengest thought that he
+would, with all his army, if men pursued him, flee into Scotland, so
+that he might thence with guile escape, if he might not for Aurelie
+remain in the land. Aurelie marched forth, and led his host right
+north, with all his might, full a se'nnight. The Britons were bold,
+and proceeded over the weald. Then had Aurelie a numerous force; he
+found ravaged land, the people slain, and all the churches burnt, and
+the Britons consumed. Then said Aurelie the king, Britain's darling:
+"If I might abide, that I should back ride; and if the Lord it will,
+who shaped the daylight, that I might in safety obtain my right (or
+country), churches I will arear, and God I will worship. I will give
+to each man his right, and to every person, the old and the young, I
+will be gracious, if God will grant to me my land to win!"
+
+Tidings came to Hengest of Aurelie the king, that he brought an army
+of innumerable folk. Then spake Hengest, most treacherous of all
+knights: "Hearken now, my men--honour to you is given--here cometh
+Aurelie, and Uther eke, his brother; they bring very much folk, but
+all they are fated! For the king is unwise, so are his knights, and a
+knave is his brother, the one as the other; therefore may Britons be
+much the un-bolder, when the head (leader) is bad, the heap
+(multitude) is the worse. And well ye may it remember, what I will
+say; better are fifty of us, than of them five hundred--that they many
+times have found, since they in land sought the people. For known it
+is wide, of our bold feats, that we are chosen warriors with the best!
+We shall against them stand, and drive them from land, and possess
+this realm after our will." Thus bold Hengest, fairest of all knights,
+emboldened his host, where he was in field, but otherwise it was
+disposed ere came the day a se'nnight. Forth came the tidings to
+Aurelie the king, where Hengest abode upon a mount.
+
+Aurelie had for companions thirty thousand riders, bold Britons, who
+made their threat; and eke he had Welsh, wondrously many. Then caused
+he his knights to be ever weaponed, day and night, as if they should
+go to battle; for ever he had care of the heathen folk. And Aurelie
+with his host marched quickly towards him. When Hengest heard that
+Aurelie was near, he took his army, and marched against him. When
+Aurelie was aware that Hengest would come there, he went into a field,
+well weaponed under shield; he took forth-right ten thousand knights,
+that were the best born and chosen of his force, and set them in the
+field, on foot under shield. Ten thousand Welsh he sent to the wood;
+ten thousand Scots he sent aside, to meet the heathens by ways and by
+streets; himself he took his earls and his good warriors, and his
+faithfullest men, that he had in hand, and made his shield-troop, as
+it were a wild wood; five thousand there rode, who should all this
+folk well defend. Then called Aldolf, Earl of Gloucester, "If the
+Lord, that ruleth all dooms, grant it to me, that I might abide, that
+Hengest should come riding, who has in this land so long remained, and
+betrayed my dear friends with his long axes beside Ambresbury, with
+miserable death! But if I might of the earl win to me the country;
+then might I say my sooth words, that God himself had granted good to
+me, if I might fell my foes to ground anon, and avenge my dear
+kindred, whom they have laid adown!"
+
+Scarcely was this speech said to the end, that they saw Hengest
+approach over the down. With a numerous host they fiercely marched,
+together soon they came, and terribly they slew, there the stern men
+together rushed themselves, helms there gan resound, knights there
+fell, steel went against the bones, mischief there was rife; streams
+of blood flowed in the ways; the fields were dyed, and the grass
+changed colour! When Hengest saw that his help failed him, then
+withdrew he from the fight, and fled aside, and his folk after
+speedily moved. The Christians pursued after, and laid on them, and
+called Christ, God's son, to be to them in aid; and the heathen people
+also called loud, "Our God Tervagant, why failest thou us now?" When
+Hengest saw the heathens recede, and the Christian men come upon them,
+then fled Hengest through and through, until he came to Coningsburgh;
+in the burgh he went, safety to obtain. And the King Aurelie went
+after him anon, and called to his people with loud voice: "Run ever
+forth and forth! Hengest is gone northwards!" And they pursued after
+him until they came to the burgh. When Hengest and his son saw all the
+host come after them, then said Hengest, of all knights wrathest,
+"Will I no more flee, but now I will fight, and my son Octa, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa! And all my army, stir ye your weapons, and march
+we against them, and make we strong slaughter! And if we fell them
+not, then be we dead, laid on the field, and deprived of friends!"
+Hengest marched on the weald, and left all his tents; and made his
+shield troop all of his heathen men. Then came Aurelie the king, and
+many thousands with him, and began there another fight, that was
+exceeding strong; there was many great stroke dealt in the combat!
+There were the Christians well nigh overcome. Then approached there
+five thousand riders, that Aurelie had on horse to fight; they smote
+on the heathens, so that they down fell; there was fight most strong,
+combat full stern!
+
+In the fight came the Earl Aldolf of Gloucester, and found Hengest,
+wickedest of knights, where he fought fiercely, and felled the
+Christians. Aldolf drew his good sword, and upon Hengest smote; and
+Hengest cast the shield before him, and else were his life destroyed;
+and Aldolf smote on the shield, so that it was shivered in two. And
+Hengest leapt to him, as if it were a lion, and smote upon Aldolf's
+helm, so that it parted in two. Then hewed they with swords--the
+strokes were grim--fire flew from the steel, oft and well frequent!
+After a time, then leapt Aldolf to the ground, and saw by him Gorlois,
+who was a keen man full truly; of Cornwall he was earl, he was widely
+known. Then was the baron Aldolf much the bolder, and heaved high his
+sword, and let it down swing, and smote Hengest on the hand, so that
+he let go his good brand; and in haste grasped him, with his grim
+looks, by the cuirasses hood that was on his head, and with great
+strength struck him down; and then he him up drew, as if he would
+crush him, and with arms embraced him, and forth him led. Now was
+Hengest taken, through Aldolf, the brave man! Then called Aldolf, the
+Earl of Gloucester: "Hengest, it is not so merry for thee now as it
+was whilom by Ambresbury, where thou drewest the axes, and slew the
+Britons, with much treachery thou slewest my kindred! Now thou shalt
+pay retribution, and lose thy friends; with cruel death perish in the
+world!" Hengest proceeded still (without speaking); he saw no help;
+Aldolf led him to his sovereign, and greeted the sovereign with loving
+words: "Hail be thou, Aurelie, of noble race! Here I bring before thee
+Hengest, the heathen, who was thy kindred's bane, who hath sought to
+us harm; God granted it to me, that I have him grasped! Now I give him
+to thee, for dearest of men art thou to me; and let thy attendants
+play with this hound, shoot with their arrows, and his race anon
+destroy!" Then answered the king with quick voice: "Blessed be thou,
+Aldolf, noblest of all earls! Thou art to me dear as my life, thou
+shalt be chief of people!" There men took Hengest, and there men bound
+Hengest; there was then Hengest of all knights most wretched! This
+fight was overcome, and the heathens fled. Then saw Octa, that his
+father was full woe; and with Ebissa, his wed brother, joined them
+together, and fled into York, with harm enow, and made ready the
+walls, and pulled down the halls. Some of the heathens went to the
+wood, where the folk on foot laid them to ground.
+
+Then was Aurelie the king pleased well through all things; he
+proceeded into Coningsburgh, with all his folk, and thanked the Lord
+for such might. Three days and three nights the king dwelt there
+forth-right, to heal the wounds of his dear knights, and rest in the
+burgh their weary bones. When the third day came, and the folk had
+made none, then caused the king the trumpets to blow, and summoned his
+earls, that they should come to husting, to Aurelie the king. When
+they came together, the king asked them soon, what they would counsel
+him, who were his rich men, by what death Hengest should die, and how
+he might best avenge his dearest friends, who lay buried near
+Ambresbury.
+
+Then stood up Eldadus, and with the king he spake thus;--towards God he
+was good, he was a holy bishop, Aldolf the earl's brother, he had no
+other:--"Lord king, listen now to me, what I will thee tell. I will
+make the sentence, how he shall be put to death. For he is most
+hateful of men to us in the world, and hath slain our kindred, and
+deprived of life-day; and he is a heathen hound--hell he shall seek;
+there he shall sink for his treachery! Lord king, hearken to me, what
+I thee will tell. A king was in Jerusalem, who was named Saul; and in
+heathendom was a king of mickle might, who was named Agag--Jerusalem he
+hated--he was king of the Amalech--the Worse was full nigh to him! Ever
+he hated Jerusalem with harm the most; never would he give them peace,
+but ever he withstood them; he burnt them, he slew them, he did them
+sorrow enow! It fell on a time that the sun gan to shine; then sate
+Agag the king on his high chair; his fated blood was troubled, and
+urged him to march. He called his knights anon forth-right: 'Quick to
+your steeds! and forth we shall ride; we shall burn and slay all about
+Jerusalem!' Forth went the king, and a great host with him; the land
+they gan through-run, and the towns to consume. The men saw that who
+dwelt in Jerusalem; and they advanced against them, knights and
+swains, and fought with the king, and with fight him overcame, and
+slew all his folk, and Agag the king they took; and so they with him
+came to Saul the king. Then was Saul the king blithe through all
+things! The king asked counsel at his rich knights anon, which he
+might the better do to him, either slay or up hang. Then leapt up
+Samuel, a prophet of Israel;--he was a man exceeding holy, high toward
+the Lord; no man knew in those days man so high in God's law. Samuel
+took Agag the king, and led him in the market-place, and caused him
+most fast to a stake to be bound; and took with his right hand a
+precious brand; and thus called to him Samuel, the good man: 'Thou
+hightest Agag the king, now thou art in sorrow! Now thou shalt receive
+the retribution for that thou destroyedest Jerusalem, for that thou
+hast this noble burgh so greatly injured, and many a good man slain,
+and deprived of life-day! As I hope for mercy, shalt thou do so no
+more.' Samuel heaved up the sword, and strongly down struck, and cut
+the king all in pieces in Jerusalem's market, and threw the pieces
+wide over the streets. Thus Samuel took-on (acted), and so oughtest
+thou do to Hengest."
+
+Aldolf heard this, the Earl of Gloucester; toward Hengest he leapt, as
+if it were a lion, and grasped him by the head, and after him hauled
+him, and drew him through and through, and throughout all
+Coningsburgh; and without the burgh he caused him to be bound. Aldolf
+drew his sword, and smote off Hengest's head; and the king took him
+forth-right, because he was so brave a knight, and laid him in earth,
+after the heathen law, and prayed for the soul, that it never were
+happy.
+
+And now Aurelie the king caused a husting to be summoned, and caused
+trumpets to be blown, and his army to assemble--there was wondrous
+folk--and marched right to York, and inclosed Octa with his men there
+within. The king caused a dyke to be dug, all about York, that no man
+might there either go out or in. Octa saw that; therefore he was full
+woe. And his heathen folk, that he had in the burgh, they betook them
+to counsel, what they might do. And thus spake Octa with his companion
+Ebissa: "I have now bethought me, what I will do. I and my knights
+shall forth-right in our bare-breech go out of the burgh, hang on my
+neck a chain, and come to the king, praying his mercy. We all shall
+else be dead, except we follow this counsel." And, they all did so, as
+Octa them advised; put off their clothes the careful knights, and
+proceeded out of the burgh, miserable thanes, twain and twain, twenty
+hundred! Aurelie beheld this, noblest of kings, strange it seemed to
+him of the naked knights. Together came the host that lay over the
+land; they saw Octa naked come, that was Hengest's son. He bare in his
+hand a long chain; he came to the king, and before his warriors he
+fell upon the ground, and the king's feet sought; and these words then
+said Hengest's son Octa: "Mercy, my lord king, through God the mild;
+for the love of God Almighty have mercy of my knights! For all our
+heathendom is become base, our laws and our people, for loathsome we
+are to the Lord. For us has failed in hand Appolin, and Tervagant,
+Woden, and Mercurius, Jupiter, and Saturnus, Venus, and Didon, Frea,
+and Mamilon, and all our beliefs are now to us odious, but we will
+believe on thy dear Lord, for all it faileth us now in hand, that we
+worshipped. We yearn thy favour, now and evermore; if thou wilt me
+grant peace, and if thou wilt me grant amity, we will draw to thee,
+and be thy faithful men; love thy people, and hold thy laws, if thou
+wilt not that, do thy will, whetherso (whatsoever) thou wilt do, or
+slay us or up hang us."
+
+And the king was mild-hearted, and held him still; he beheld on the
+right hand, he beheld on the left hand, which of his wise men first
+would speak. They all were still, and kept silence with voice; was
+there no man so high, that durst a word utter; and ever lay Octa at
+the king's feet so; all his knights lay behind him. Then spake
+Aldadus, the good bishop, and said thus: "Ever it was, and ever it
+shall be, and yet it behoveth us, when we yearn mercy, that we should
+have mercy; worthy is he of mercy, who worthily prayeth for it. And
+thou thyself, lord king, thou art chief of the people, pardon thou
+Octa, and also his companions, if they will receive Christendom with
+good belief; for yet it may befall, in some country that they may
+fitly worship the Lord. Now stands all this kingdom in thine own hand,
+give them a place, where it shall be agreeable to thee, and take of
+them hostages, such as thou wilt require; and let them be well held in
+iron bonds; the hostages be found meat and clothes, be found all that
+to them shall belief; and then mightest thou well hold this people in
+thy land, and let them till the land, and live by their tilth. And if
+it subsequently shall befall, soon thereafter, that they fail in hand
+to hold troth, and weaken in work, and withstand thee, now I decree to
+thee the doom, what thou mayest then do. Cause men to ride to them
+exceeding quickly, and cause them all to be destroyed, slain and eke
+up hung. This I decree to thee; the Lord it hear!" Then answered the
+king, with quick voice: "All I will so do as thou hast deemed." Thus
+spake the king then: "Arise up, Octa; thou shalt quickly do well,
+receive Christendom." There was Octa baptised, and his companions
+also; and all his knights on the spot forth-right. They took their
+hostages, and gave to the king, three-and-fifty children they
+delivered to the king. And the king sent them beside Scotland; oaths
+they swore, that they would not deceive him. The king gave them in
+hand sixty hides of land, thereon they dwelt well many winters.
+
+The king was in York, good it seemed to him; he took his messengers,
+and sent over all his land, and ordered his bishops, his book-learned
+men, earls and thanes, to come towards him, to Aurelie the king, to a
+great husting. It soon came to pass, that they came together. The king
+greeted his folk with his fair words, he welcomed earls, he welcomed
+barons, and the bishops, and the book-learned men.--"I will say to you
+with sooth words, why I sent after you, and for what thing. Here I
+give to each knight his land and his right, and to every earl and
+every baron, what he may win, to possess it with joy; and each man I
+order to love peace, on his life. And I bid you all to work and build
+the churches that are fallen, to let the bells ring, to sing God's
+praise, and each with our might to worship our dear Lord; each man by
+his might to hold peace and amity, and cause the land to be tilled,
+now it is all in my hand." When this doom was all said, they all
+praised this counsel. The king gave them leave to depart thence; each
+fared homeward, as to them it best seemed.
+
+Full seven nights the king lay there still, and then he gan proceed
+into London, to gladden the burgh-folk, who oft were busy. He caused
+walls to be strengthened, he caused halls to be built, and all the
+works to be righted that ere were broken; and gave them all the laws
+that stood in their elders' days; and he made there reves, to rule the
+folk. And thence he gan proceed right to Winchester; and there he
+caused to be worked halls and churches;--there it seemed to him most
+pleasant;--and afterwards he went to Ambresbury, to the burial-place
+of his dear friends, whom Hergest with knives had murdered there. He
+caused men anon to be inquired for, who could hew stone, and eke good
+wrights, who could work with axe, he thought to work there a work
+wondrously fair, that ever should last, the while men lived! Then was
+in Caerleon a bishop, that hight Tremoriun; he was a man exceeding
+wise in the worlds-realm; with the king he was, over the weald. And
+thus Tremoriun, God's servant, spake there with the king, of a good
+thing: "Listen now to me, Aurelie, what I will make known to thee, and
+I will say to thee the best of all counsel, if thou wilt it approve,
+eft it will like to thee. We have a prophet, who is Merlin named; if
+any man might him find, upon this weald, and bring him to thee,
+through any kind of thing, and if thou his will wouldest perform, he
+would say to thee best of all counsel, how thou mightest this work
+make strong and stark, that ever might last, the while that men
+lived." Then answered the king--these words were to him agreeable:--
+"Dear friend Tremoriun, all this I will do." The king in haste sent
+his messengers over all his kingdom, and bade every man to ask after
+Merlin; and if men might him find, to bring him to the king, he would
+give him land, both silver and gold, and in the worlds-realm perform
+his will. The messengers gan to ride wide and far; some they went
+right north, and some they went forth south; some they went right
+east, and some they went right west, some they went anon, so that they
+came to Alaban, that is a fair well in Welsh land. The well he
+(Merlin) much loved, and oft therein bathed him; the knights him found
+where he sate by the strand. So soon as they him met, they greeted him
+fair; and thus said the two knights to him forth-right: "Hail be thou,
+Merlin, wisest of men! By us he who is a goodly king, named Aurelie,
+noblest of all kings, greets thee, and he beseecheth thee courteously,
+that thou come to him; and he will give land to thee, both silver and
+gold, if thou in the realm wilt counsel the king." Then answered
+Merlin, what to the knights was full woe: "I reck not of his land, his
+silver, nor his gold, nor his clothes, nor his horses; myself I have
+enow." Then sate he still a long time. These knights were afraid, that
+he would flee. When it all brake forth, it was good that he spake: "Ye
+are two knights come right here; yesterday ere noon I knew that ye
+should come, and if I so would, ye might not have found me. Ye bring
+me greeting from Aurelie the king. I knew his qualities ere he came to
+land, and I knew the other, Uther his brother; I knew both ere they
+were born, though I never saw either with eye. But alas! alas! that it
+is so ordered, that the monarch may not live long! But now will I go,
+and be your companion; to the king I will proceed, and perform his
+will."
+
+Forth went Merlin, and the knights with him, so long that they came to
+the sovereign. The good tidings came to the king; never ere in his
+life was the king so blithe, for ever any kind of man that came to
+him! The king went to his steed, and out gan him ride, and all his
+knights with him, to welcome Merlin. The king him met, and greeted him
+fair, he embraced him, he kissed him, he made him his familiar. Great
+was the mirth among the people, all for Merlin's arrival, who was son
+of no man. Alas! that in the world was no wise man that ever knew here
+whose son he were, but the Lord alone, who surveys (or explores) all
+clean! The king led to chamber Merlin who was dear; and he gan ask him
+anon with his fair words, that he should cause him to understand of
+the world's course, and of all the years that were to come, for it
+were to him greatly in will, that he thereof knew. Merlin then
+answered, and to the king said thus: "O Aurelie, the king, thou askest
+me a strange thing, look that thou no more such thing inquire. For my
+spirit truly is wrathful, that is in my breast; and if I among men
+would make boast, with gladness, with game, with goodly words, my
+spirit would wrath himself, and become still, and deprive me of my
+sense, and my wise words fore-close, then were I dumb of every
+sentence. But leave all such things," quoth Merlin to the king, "for
+whensoever need shall come to ever any people, and man will beseech me
+with mildness, and I may with my will dwell still, then may I say, how
+it afterwards shall happen. But I will counsel thee of thy nearest
+need, and say to thee right here what thou hast in heart. A plain is
+by Ambresbury, that is broad, and exceeding pleasant, there was thy
+kindred deprived of life with knives, there was many bold Briton
+betrayed to the death; and thinkest to greet the place with worship,
+and with surprising works to honour the dead, that there shall ever
+stand, to the world's end. But thou hast never any man, that knows
+aught thereon, who can make a work that never will fail. But I will
+counsel thee at such need, for I know a work with wonder encompassed,
+far the work standeth in Ireland. It is a most surprising thing, it is
+named the Giant's Ring, the work is of stone, such another there is
+none, so wide as is the worlds-realm is no work its like. The stones
+are great, and virtue they have; the men who are sick they go to the
+stones, and they wash the stones, and therewith bathe their bones;
+after a little while they become all sound! But the stones are mickle,
+and immensely great; for was never any man born, in every any burgh,
+who might with strength bring the stones thence." Then answered the
+king: "Merlin, thou sayest strange thing, that never any man born may
+bring them thence, nor with any strength carry from the place, how
+might I then bring them hence?" Then answered Merlin to the king who
+spake with him: "Yes, yes, lord king, it was of yore said, that better
+is art, than evil strength; for with art men may hold what strength
+may not obtain. But assemble thine army, and go to the land, and lead
+thou with thee a good host; and I will go with thee--thy worship will
+be the more! Ere thou back come, thy will thou shalt have, and the
+work thou shalt bring with thee to this land, and so thou shalt carry
+it to the burial-place, and honour the spot where thy friends lie. And
+thou thyself shalt therein thy bones rest; when thy life endeth, there
+shalt thou rest." Thus said Merlin, and afterwards he sate still, as
+though he would from the world depart. The king caused him to be
+brought into a fair chamber, and dwell therein, after his will.
+
+Aurche the king caused a husting to be summoned from all the lands
+that stood in his hand; he bade them counsel him at such need. And his
+noble barons they well advised him, that he should do the counsel that
+Merlin had said to him. But they would not lead the king out of this
+land, but they chose them for chief Uther the good, and fifteen
+thousand knights, weaponed fair, of bold Britons, who thither should
+go. When this army was all ready, then began they to fare with all the
+best ships that by the sea stood, and voyaged so long that they came
+to Ireland. And the brave knights took the haven, they went upon the
+sea-strand, and beheld Ireland. Then spake Merlin, and discoursed with
+words: "See ye now, brave men, the great hill, the hill so exceeding
+high, that to the welkin it is full high? That is the marvellous
+thing, it is named the Giant's Ring, to each work unlike--it came from
+Africa. Pitch your tents over all these fields, here we shall rest for
+the space of three days; on the fourth day we shall march hence toward
+the hill, where our will is. But we shall first refresh us, and
+assemble our warriors, make ready our weapons, for well they behove us
+(we shall need them)." Thus it remained, and there lay the army.
+
+Then possessed Ireland a king that was most strong; he hight
+Gillomaur, he was lord of the people, the tidings came to him that the
+Britons were in the land, he caused forces to be summoned over all
+Ireland's territory, and he gan to threaten greatly, that he would all
+drive them out. When the word came to him, what the Britons would do
+there, and that they came for that only, to fetch the stones, then the
+King Gillomar made mickle derision and scorn, and said that they were
+foolish fellows, who over the broad sea were thither arrived, to seek
+there stones, as if none were in their land; and swore by Saint
+Brandan:--"They shall not carry away one stone, but for love of the
+stones they shall abide the most of all mischiefs; spill their blood
+out of their bellies--and so men shall teach them (they shall be
+taught) to seek stones! And afterwards I will go into Britain, and say
+to the King Aurelie, that my stones I will defend, and unless the king
+be still, and do my will, I will in his land with fight withstand,
+make him waste paths, and wildernesses many; widows enow--there
+husbands shall die!" Thus the unwise king played with words, but it
+all happened another wise, other than he weened. His army was ready,
+and forth they gan march, so long that they came whereon the Britons
+lay. Together they came, and hardily encountered, and fought
+fiercely--the fated fell! But the Irish were bare, and the Britons in
+armour, the Irish fell, and covered all the fields. And the King
+Gillomar gan him to flee there, and fled forth-right, with twenty of
+his knights, into a great wood--of worship bereaved--his Irish folk
+was felled with steel. Thus was the king shamed, and thus he ended his
+boast, and thus went to the wood, and let his folk fall! The Britons
+beheld the dead over the fields; seven thousand there lay deprived of
+life. The Britons went over the fields to their tents, and worthily
+looked to (or took care of) their good weapons, and there they gan to
+rest, as Merlin counselled them.
+
+On the fourth day then gan they to march, and proceeded to the hill,
+all well weaponed, where the marvellous work stood, great and most
+strong! Knights went upward, knights went downward, knights went all
+about, and earnestly beheld it, they saw there on the land the
+marvellous work stand. There were a thousand knights with weapons well
+furnished, and all the others to wit guarded well their ships. Then
+spake Merlin, and discoursed with the knights: "Knights, ye are
+strong, these stones are great and long, ye must go nigh, and forcibly
+take hold of them; ye must wreathe them fast with strong sail-ropes,
+shove and heave with utmost strength trees great and long, that are
+exceeding strong, and go ye to one stone, all clean, and come again
+with strength, if ye may it stir." But Merlin wist well how it should
+happen. The knights advanced with mickle strength; they laboured full
+greatly, but they had not power, so that they ever any stone might
+stir! Merlin beheld Uther, who was the king's brother, and Merlin the
+prophet said these words: "Uther, draw thee back, and assemble thy
+knights, and stand ye all about, and diligently behold, and be ye all
+still, so that no man there stir ere I say to you now anon how we
+shall commence, 'Take ye each a stone.'" Uther drew him back, and
+assembled his knights, so that none there remained near the stones, as
+far as a man might cast a stone. And Merlin went about, and diligently
+gan behold, thrice he went about, within and without, and moved his
+tongue as if he sung his beads. Thus did Merlin there, then called he
+Uther: "Uther, come quickly, and all thy knights with thee, and take
+ye these stones all, ye shall not leave one; for now ye may heave them
+like feather balls; and so ye shall with counsel carry them to our
+ships." These stones they carried away, as Merlin counselled them, and
+placed them in their ships, and sailed forth to wit, and so they gan
+proceed into this land, and brought them on a plain that is wondrously
+broad, broad it is and most pleasant, near Ambresbury, where Hengest
+betrayed the Britons with axes. Merlin gan rear them, as they ere
+stood, so never any other man could do the craft, nor ever ere
+there-before was any man so wise born, that could the work raise, and
+the stones dispose.
+
+The tidings came to the king in the north end, of Merlin's proceeding,
+and of Uther, his brother, that they were with safety come to this
+land, and that the work was all disposed, and set up right. The king
+was in breast wondrously blithe; and caused a husting to be summoned,
+so wide as was all his land, that all his merry folk so very joyous
+should come to Ambresbury, all his people, at Whitsunday, and the king
+would be there, and honour the place. Thither came Aurelie the king,
+and all his folk with him, on Whitsunday he there made a feast, as I
+will thee tell in this book-story. There were on the weald tents
+raised, on the broad plain, nine thousand tents. All the Whitsunday
+the king on the plain lay; ordered the place to be hallowed, that
+hight Stonehenge. Full three days the king dwelt still; on the third
+day, his people he highly honoured; he made two bishops, wondrously
+good, Saint Dubriz at Kaerleon, and Saint Samson at York; both they
+became holy, and with God high. On the fourth day people separated,
+and so a time it stood in the same wise.
+
+The yet there was a wicked man, Pascent, Vortiger's son; was the same
+Pascent gone into Welsh land, and there in the same days was become
+outlaw. But he durst not long dwell there, for Aurelie and for Uther;
+but he procured good ships, and went by the sea flood, into Germany he
+proceeded, with five hundred men, and there he won much folk, and made
+a fleet, and voyaged so long that he came to this land, into the
+Humber, where he harm wrought. But he durst not long remain in the
+territory. The king marched thitherward, and Pascent fled awayward, by
+sea so long that he came to Ireland.
+
+Soon he found there the king of the land, his heart was very sore, he
+greeted the King Gillomar with God's greeting: "Hail be thou,
+Gillomar, chief of men! I am to thee come; I was Vortiger's son; my
+father was Britain's king, he loved thee through all things. And if
+thou wouldest now be my companion, as we shall agree, and my father
+well avenge, and well avenge thy folk that Uther here killed, and thy
+marvellous work, that he hence drew. And eke I heard say, where I
+voyaged in the sea, that the King Aurelie is become sick, and lieth in
+Winchester, in bed full fast. Thou mayest believe me enow, for this is
+verily sooth." Thus Pascent and Gillomar made their compact there;
+oaths they swore, many and innumerable, that they would set all this
+land in their two (joint) hands; the oaths were sworn, but eft they
+were broken! The king gathered a host wide over his land; to the sea
+they are gone, Gillomar and Pascent; into the ships they went, and
+forth let them glide. Forth they proceeded quickly, so that they came
+to Meneve, that was in that time a town exceeding fair, that men now
+truly call Saint David's. There they took haven with great bliss; the
+ships went on the strand, the knights went on the land. Then said
+Pascent--toward Gillomar he went--"Say me, King Gillomar, now we are
+come here; now I set to thee in hand half-part this kingdom; for there
+is from Winchester come to me a knight's son, and saith to me such
+advice, that Aurelie will be dead, the sickness is under his ribs, so
+that he may not live. Here we shall well avenge our kindred, and win
+his territories, as to us shall be best of all."
+
+To the king came the word, into Winchester, that Pascent and Gillomar
+were come here with an army. The king called Uther, who was his dear
+brother:--"Uther, summon forces over all this land, and march to our
+enemies, and drive them from land; either thou them disperse, either
+thou them fell. And I would eke fare, if I were not so sick; but if I
+may be sound I will come after thee soon." Uther did all as the king
+said to him there. And Pascent at Saint David's wrought thereby much
+sorrow; and to the king Gillomar much sorrow he did there; Britain
+they through-ran, harried and burnt. And Uther in this land assembled
+his host, and it was long time ere he might march aright. And Pascent
+set in his own hand all West Welsh land.
+
+It was on a day, his people were blithe, there arrived Appas--the
+fiends him conveyed! To Pascent he quoth thus: "Come hither to us. I
+will thee tell of a joyful tiding. I was at Winchester, with thine
+adversaries, where the king lieth sick, and sorrowful in heart. But
+what shall be my meed, if I thither ride, and I so gratify thee, that
+I kill him?" Then answered Pascent, and toward Appas he went: "I
+promise thee to-day a hundred pounds, for I may, if thou me so
+gratifiest, that thou kill him." Troth they plight this treachery to
+contrive. Appas went to his chamber, and this mischief meditated; he
+was a heathen man, out of Saxland come. Monk's clothes he took on, he
+shaved his crown upon; he took to him two companions, and forth he gan
+proceed, and went anon right into Winchester, as if it were a holy
+man--the heathen devil! He went to the burgh-gate, where the king lay
+in chamber, and greeted the door-keeper with God's greeting; and bade
+him in haste go into the king, and say to him in sooth, that Uther his
+brother had sent him thither a good leech; the best leech that dwelt
+in any land, that ever any sick man out of sickness can bring. Thus he
+lied, the odious man, to the monarch, for Uther was gone forth with
+his army, nor ever him saw Uther, nor thither him sent! And the king
+weened that it were sooth, and believed him enow. Who would ween that
+he were traitor!--for on his bare body he wore a cuirass, thereupon he
+had a loathly hair-cloth, and then a cowl of a black cloth; he had
+blackened his body, as if smutted with coal! He kneeled to the king,
+his speech was full mild: "Hail be thou, Aurelie, noblest of all
+kings! Hither me sent Uther, that is thine own brother; and I all for
+God's love am here to thee come. For I will heal, and all whole thee
+make, for Christ's love, God's son; I reck not any treasure, nor meed
+of land, nor of silver nor of gold, but to each sick person I do it
+for love of my Lord." The king heard this, it was to him most
+agreeable;--but where is ever any man in this middle-earth, that would
+this ween, that he were traitor! He took his glass vessel anon, and
+the king urined therein; a while after that, the glass vessel in hand
+he took, and viewed it forth-right before the king's knights; and thus
+said anon Appas, the heathen man: "If ye will me believe, ere
+to-morrow eve this king shall be all whole, healed at his will." Then
+were blithe all that were in chamber. Appas went in a chamber, and the
+mischief meditated, and put thereto poison, that hight scamony, and
+came out forth-right among the chamber-knights, and to the knights he
+gan to distribute much canel, and gingiver and liquorice he gave them
+lovingly. They all took the gift, and he deceived them all. This
+traitor fell on his knees before the monarch, and thus said to him:
+"Lord, now thou shalt receive this, of this drink a part, and that
+shall be thy cure." And the king up drank, and there the poison he
+drank. Anon as he had drank, the leech laid him down. Thus said Appas
+to the chamber-knights: "Wrap now the king well, that he lie in
+sweating; for I say to you through all things, all whole shall your
+king be. And I will go to my inn, and speak with my men, and at the
+midnight I will come again forth-right, with other leechcraft, that
+shall be to him healing." Forth went--while the king lay in
+slumber--the traitor Appas to his inn, and spake with his men; and
+with stilly counsel stole from the town.
+
+At the midnight then sent the chamber-knights six of their men to
+Appas's inn; they weened to find him, and bring him to the king. Then
+was he flown, and the fiends him carried! The men came back where the
+king dwelt, and made known in the chamber of Appas's departure. Then
+might men see sorrow enow be! Knights fell down, and yearned their
+deaths; there was mickle lamentation and heart-groaning, there was
+many a piteous speech, there was yell of men! They leapt to the bed,
+and beheld the king; the yet he lay in slumber, and in great sweat.
+The knights with weeping awakened the king, and they called to him
+with mild voice: "Lord, how is it with thee? how is thy harm? For now
+is our leech departed without leave, gone out of court, and left us as
+wretches." The king gave them answer: "I am all over swollen, and
+there is no other hap, now anon I shall be dead. And I bid
+forth-right, ye who are my knights, that ye greet Uther, who is my own
+brother, and bid him hold my land in his sway. God himself through all
+things let him be a good king! And bid him be keen, and always deem
+right, as a father to the poor folk, to the destitute for comfort;
+--then may he hold the land in power. And now to-day, when I be dead,
+take ye all one counsel, and cause me to be brought right to
+Stonehenge, where lie much of my kindred, by the Saxons killed. And
+send for bishops, and book-learned men; my gold and silver distribute
+for my soul, and lay me at the east end, in Stonehenge." There was no
+other hap--there was the king dead! And all so his men did as the king
+directed. Uther was in Wales, and hereof was nothing ware, never
+through any art hereof nothing wist; nevertheless he had with him the
+prophet Merlin, he proceeded towards the army that was come to the
+land.
+
+Uther lay in Wales, in a wilderness, and prepared to march, to fight
+with Pascent. Then in the eventime, the moon gan to shine, well nigh
+all as bright as the sunlight. Then they saw afar a marvellous star;
+it was broad, it was large, it was immense! From it came gleams
+terribly shining, the star is named in Latin, comet. Came from the
+star a gleam most fierce; at this gleam's end was a dragon fair, from
+this dragon's mouth came gleams enow! But twain there were mickle,
+unlike to the others; the one drew toward France, the other toward
+Ireland. The gleam that toward France drew, it was itself bright enow;
+to Munt-Giu was seen the marvellous token! The gleam that stretched
+right west, it was disposed in seven beams. Uther saw this--but he was
+not hereof wary--sorrow was to him in heart, and strangely he was
+frightened; so was all the great folk that was in the host. Uther
+called Merlin, and bade him come to him, and thus said to him with
+very soft words: "Merlin, Merlin, dear friend, prove thyself, and say
+to us of the token that we have seen; for I wot not in the
+worlds-realm to what end it shall befall; unless thou us counsel, back
+we must ride."
+
+Merlin sate him still, a long time, as if he with dream full greatly
+laboured. They said who saw it with their own eyes, that oft he turned
+him, as if it were a worm! At length he gan to awake, then gan he to
+quake, and these words said Merlin the prophet: "Walaway! Walaway! in
+this worlds-realm, much is the sorrow that is come to the land! Where
+art thou, Uther? Set before me here, and I will say to thee of sorrows
+enow. Dead is Aurelie, noblest of kings, so is the other, Constance,
+thy brother, whom Vortiger betrayed with his treachery. Now hath
+Vortiger's kin killed Aurelie; now art thou alone of thy noble
+kindred. But hope not thou for counsel of them that he dead, but think
+of thyself--prosperity shall be given to thee;--for seldom he faileth,
+who to himself thinketh. Thou shalt become good king, and lord of men.
+And thou at the midnight weapon thy knights, that we in the
+morning-light may come forth-right, before Meneve--there thou shalt
+fight; ere thou thence depart, slaughter thou shalt make; for thou
+shalt both slay there, Pascent and Gillomar, and many thousands of the
+men that are with them hither come. The token of the star, that we saw
+so far, sooth it is, Uther dear, that betokened thy brother's death.
+Before the star was the dragon, to each worm unlike; the token was on
+thy half, that was thou, Uther, thyself! Thou shalt have this land,
+and thy authority be great and strong. Such tokens are marvellous that
+came of the dragon's mouth, two gleams proceeded forth that were
+wondrously light. The one stretched far south, out over France--that
+signifies a powerful son, that of thy body shall come, who shall win
+many kingdoms with conflict, and in the end he shall rule many a
+nation. The other gleam that stretched west, wondrously light, that
+shall be a daughter, that to thee shall be exceeding dear. The gleams
+that gan to spread in seven fair strings, are seven fair sons, who
+shall come of thy daughter, who shall win to their own hand many a
+kingdom; they shall be well strong, on water and on land. Now thou
+hast of me heard what will thee help, quickly forth-right march to thy
+fight." And Merlin gan to slumber, as if he would sleep.
+
+Up arose Uther, now he was wise and wary, and ordered his knights
+forth-right to horse, and ordered them quickly to proceed to Meneve;
+and all their expedition (or forces) to prepare, as if they should
+fight. In the troop before he had knights well chosen; seven thousand
+knights, brave men and active. He had in the middle knights well
+beseen, other seven thousand good thanes. He had behind brave knights
+eighteen thousand, brave warriors, and of folk on foot so many
+thousands, that in no speech might any man tell them! Forth they
+marched quickly, until they came to Meneve.
+
+There saw Gillomar where Uther came to him, and commanded his knights
+to weapon them forth-right. And they very speedily grasped their
+knives, and off with their breeches--strange were their looks--and
+grasped in their hands their long spears, and hung on their shoulders
+great battle-axes. Then said Gillomar the king a thing very
+strange:--"Here cometh Uther, Aurelie's brother; he will ask my peace,
+and not fight with me. The foremost are his swains; march we against
+them; ye need never reek, though ye slay the wretches! For if Uther,
+Constantine's son, will here become my man, and give to Pascent his
+father's realm, I will him grant peace, and let him live, and in fair
+bonds lead him to my land." The king spake thus, the while worse him
+befell!
+
+Uther's knights were in the town forth-right, and laid fire in the
+town, and fought sharply; with swords rushed towards them; and the
+Irish were naked. When the Irish men saw, that the Britons were in
+conflict, they fought fiercely, and nevertheless they fell; they
+called on their king: "Where art thou, nithing! why wilt thou not come
+hither? thou lettest us here be destroyed;--and Pascent, thy comrade,
+saw us fall here;--come ye to us to help, with great strength!"
+Gillomar heard this; therefore his heart was sore; with his Irish
+knights he came to the fight, and Pascent forth with him--both they
+were fated! When Uther saw, that Gillomar was there come, to him he
+gan ride, and smote him in the side, so that the spear through
+pierced, and glided to the heart. Hastily he passed by him, and
+overtook Pascent; and said these words Uther the good: "Pascent, thou
+shalt abide; here cometh Uther riding!" He smote him upon the head, so
+that he fell down, and the sword put in his mouth--such meat to him
+was strange--so that the point of the sword went in the earth. Then
+said Uther: "Pascent, lie now there; now thou hast Britain all won to
+thy hand! So is now hap to thee; therein thou art dead; dwell ye shall
+here, thou, and Gillomar thy companion, and possess well Britain! For
+now I deliver it to you in hand, so that ye may presently dwell with
+us here; ye need not ever dread who you shall feed!" Thus said Uther,
+and afterwards he there ran, and drove the Irish men over waters and
+over fens, and slew all the host that with Pascent came to land. Some
+to the sea fled, and leapt into their ships; with weather and with
+water there they perished! Thus they sped here, Pascent and Gillomar.
+Now was this fight done; and Uther back came, and forth-right marched
+into Winchester.
+
+In a broad way he gan meet three knights and their swains, who came
+toward him. Anon as they met him, fair they him greeted: "Hail be
+thou, Uther; these territories are thine own. Dead is Aurelie, noblest
+of kings; he hath set to thee in hand all his regal land; he bade thee
+be in prosperity, and think of his soul." Then wept Uther wondrously
+much there. Uther proceeded forth-right into Winchester; then were
+before him, without the burgh, all the burghers with piteous cries. So
+soon as they saw him, they said to him: "Uther, thy favour, now and
+evermore! Our king we have lost, woe is to us therefore. Thou wert his
+brother--he had no other, nor he had no son, who might become king.
+But take thou the crown, it is thy right, and we will help thee, and
+hold for lord, with weapons and with goods, and with all our might."
+Uther heard this; he was wise and he was aware, that there was no
+other course, since his brother was dead. He took the crown, that came
+to him exceeding well, and he worthily became king, and held good
+laws, and loved his folk. Whilst that he was king, and chose his
+ministers, Merlin disappeared; he knew not ever whither he went, nor
+ever in the worlds-realm what became of him. Woe was the king, so was
+all his people, and all his courtiers were therefore mourning. The
+king caused men to ride wide and far; he offered gold and treasure to
+each travelling man, whosoever might find Merlin in the land thereto
+he laid mickle praise, but he heard no whit of him. Then bethought
+Uther, what Merlin said to him ere, in the expedition into Welsh land,
+where they saw the dragon, to each worm incomparable, and he thought
+of the tokens that Merlin taught him. The king was exceeding sorry,
+and sorrowful in heart, for he lost never a dearer man, since he was
+alive, never any other, not even Aurelie, his brother. The king caused
+to be worked two images, two golden dragons, all for Merlin's love--
+so greatly he desired his coming. When the dragons were ready, the one
+was his companion, wheresoever he in the land led his army, it was his
+standard, in every hap, the other he worthily gave into Winchester,
+into the bishop's see, where he stead holdeth. Thereto he gave his
+good spear, wherewith men should bear the dragon, when men should
+carry relics at processions. The Britons saw this, these dragons that
+were thus made, ever since they called Uther, who for a standard bare
+the dragon, the name they laid on him, that was Uther Pendragon;
+Pendragon in British, Dragon's-head in English.
+
+Now was Uther their good king, but of Merlin he had nothing. This word
+heard Octa, where he dwelt northward, and Ebissa his wed-brother, and
+Ossa the other, that Aurelie sent thither, and set them there in his
+peace, and gave them in hand sixty hides of land. Octa heard full
+truly all how it was transacted, of Aurehe's death, and of Uther's
+kingdom. Octa called to him his kin that was nearest, they betook them
+to counsel, of their old deeds, that they would by their life desert
+Christendom. They held husting, and became heathens, then came there
+together, of Hengest's kindred, five and sixty hundred of heathen men.
+Soon was the word reported and over the land known, that Octa,
+Hengest's son, was become heathen, and all these same men to whom
+Aurelie had granted peace. Octa sent his messengers into Welsh land,
+after the Irish that from Uther were fled, and after the Alemains
+(Germans), that away were drawn, that were gone to the wood, the while
+men slew Pascent, and hid them well everywhere, the while men slew
+Gillomar, the folk out of the wood drew, and toward Scotland
+proceeded. There came ever more and more, and proceeded toward Octa,
+when they together were all come, then were there thirty thousand,
+without the women, of Hengest's kin. They took their host, and forth
+gan to fare, and set all in their hand beyond the Humber, and the
+people, where they gan march, there was a marvellous host! And they
+proceeded right to York, and on each side the heathen people gan ride
+about the burgh, and the burgh besieged, and took it all in their
+hand, forth into Scotland, all that they saw they accounted their own.
+But Uther's knights who were in the castle, defended the town within,
+so that they might never get within, in no place heard any one, of few
+men that did so well!
+
+So soon as Uther of this thing was aware, he assembled a strong army,
+over all his kingdom, and he very speedily marched toward York,
+proceeded forth-right anon, where Octa him lay. Octa and his forces
+marched against them; encountered them together with grim strength,
+hewed hardily, helms resounded; the fields were dyed with the blood of
+the slain, and the heathen souls hell sought! When the day's end
+arrived, then was it so evilly done, that the heathen folk had the
+upper hand, and with great strength routed the Britons, and drove them
+to a mount that was exceeding strong. And Uther with his men drew to
+the mount, and had lost in the fight his dear knights, full seven
+hundred--his hap was the worse! The mount hight Dunian, that Uther was
+upon, the mount was overgrown with a fair wood. The king was there
+within with very many men, and Octa besieged him with the heathen men
+night and day--besieged him all about, woe was to the Britons! Woe was
+the King Uther, that he was not ere aware, that he had not in land
+better understood. Oft they went to counsel of such need, how they
+might overcome Octa, Hengest's son.
+
+There was an earl Gorlois, bold man full truly--knight he was good, he
+was Uther's man,--Earl of Cornwall, known he was wide--he was a very
+wise man, in all things excellent. To him said Uther, sorry in heart:
+"Hail be thou, Gorlois, lord of men! Thou art mine own man, and very
+well I thee treat; thou art knight good, great is thy wisdom, all my
+people I put in thy counsel, and all we shall work after thy will."
+Then hung he his brows down, the King Uther Pendragon, and stood him
+full still, and bade Gorlois say his will. Then answered Gorlois, who
+was courteous full truly, "Say me, Uther Pendragon, why bowest thou
+thy head down? Knowest thou not that God alone is better than we all
+clean? He may to whomsoever he will give worship. Promise we him in
+life that we will not him deceive, and let we counsel us of our
+misdeeds. Each man forth-right take shrift of all his sins, each man
+shrive other, as if it were his brother, and every good knight take on
+him much shrift, and God we shall promise to amend our sins. And at
+the midnight prepare us to fight, these heathen hounds account us all
+here bound. Octa, Hengest's son, weeneth that we are all taken, they
+he in these fields covered in their tents, they are very weary of
+carrying their weapons, now anon they shall slumber, and afterwards
+sleep; of us they have no care, that we will march against them. At
+the midnight we shall forth-right go exceeding still, down from this
+hill, be no knight so mad, that he ask any word, nor ever any man be
+so mad, that he blow horn. But we shall step to them as if we would
+steal, ere they are aware, we shall destroy them, we shall approach to
+them, and tell them tidings. And let every brave man strongly lay on
+them, and so we shall drive the foreigners from the land, and with the
+might of our Lord, win our rights." All this host did as Gorlois had
+bid them, each man forth-right put him under shrift promised to do
+good, and Uther Pendragon foremost went down, and all his knights,
+exceeding still, and smote in the wealds, among all the tents, and
+slew the heathens with great strength, slew over the fields the yellow
+locks, of folk it was most wretched, they drew along their bowels,
+with much destruction they fell to the ground.
+
+And there was forth-right captured Octa, Hengest's son, and his
+wed-brother Ebissa, and his comrade Ossa. The king caused them to be
+bound with iron bands, and delivered them to sixty knights, who were
+good in fight, fast to hold over the weald. And he himself drove him
+forth, and made much din, and Gorlois the fair, forth on the other
+side, and all their knights ever forth-right slew downright all that
+they came nigh. Some they crept to the wood on their bare knees, and
+they were on the morrow most miserable of all folk. Octa was bound,
+and led to London, and Ebissa, and Ossa--was never to them such woe.
+
+This fight was all done, and the king forth marched into
+Northumberland with great bliss, and afterwards to Scotland, and set
+it all in his own hand. He established peace, he established quiet,
+that each man might journey with from land to land, though he bare
+gold in his hand, of peace he did such things, that no king might ever
+ere, from that time that the Britons here arrived. And then, after a
+time, he proceeded to London, he was there at Easter, with his good
+folk, blithe was the London's town, for Uther Pendragon. He sent his
+messengers over all his kingdom, he bade the earls, he bade the
+churls, he bade the bishops, and the book learned men, that they
+should come to London, to Uther the king, into London's town, to Uther
+Pendragon. Rich men soon to London came; they brought wife, they
+brought child, as Uther the king commanded. With much goodness the
+king heard mass, and Gorlois, the Earl of Cornwall, and many knights
+with him; much bliss was in the town, with King Uther Pendragon. When
+the mass was sung, to the hall they crowded, trumpets they blew,
+boards they spread, all the folk ate and drank, and bliss was among
+them.
+
+There sate Uther the king in his high chair; opposite to him Gorlois,
+fair knight full truly, the Earl of Cornwall, with his noble wife.
+When they were all seated, the earls to their meat, the king sent his
+messengers to Ygaerne the fair, Gorlois the earl's wife, woman fairest
+of all. Oft he looked on her, and glanced with his eyes, oft he sent
+his cup-bearers forth to her table, oft he laughed at her, and made
+glances to her, and she him lovingly beheld--but I know not whether
+she loved him. The king was not so wise, nor so far prudent, that
+among his folk he could his thoughts hide. So long the king this
+practised, that Gorlois became him wrath, and angered him greatly with
+the king, because of his wife. The earl and his knights arose
+forth-right, and went forth with the woman, knights most wrath. King
+Uther saw this, and herefore was sorry, and took him forth-right
+twelve wise knights, and sent after Gorlois, chieftain of men, and
+bade him come in haste to the king, and do the king good right, and
+acknowledge his fault, that he had disgraced the king, and from his
+board had departed, he, and his knights, with mickle wrong, for the
+king was cheerful with him, and for he hailed (drank health) to his
+wife. And if he would not back come, and acknowledge his guilt, the
+king would follow after him, and do all his might, take from him all
+his land, and his silver, and his gold. Gorlois heard this, lord of
+men, and he answer gave, wrathest of earls: "Nay, so help me the Lord,
+that formed the daylight, will I never back come, nor yearn his peace,
+nor shall he ever in life disgrace me of my wife! And say ye to Uther
+the king, at Tintateol he may find me, if he thither will ride, there
+will I abide him, and there he shall have hard game, and mickle
+world's shame." Forth proceeded the earl, angry in his mood, he was
+wrath with the king wondrously much, and threatened Uther the king,
+and all his thanes with him. But he knew not what should come
+subsequently, soon thereafter.
+
+The earl proceeded anon into Cornwall; he had there two castles
+inclosed most fast, the castles were good, and belonged to the race of
+his ancestors. To Tintateol he sent his mistress who was so fair,
+named Ygaerne, best of all women; and he inclosed her fast in the
+castle. Ygaerne was sorry, and sorrowful in heart, that so many men
+for her should there have destruction. The earl sent messengers over
+all Britain, and bade each brave man, that he should come to him, for
+gold and for silver, and for other good gifts, that they full soon
+should come to Tintateol, and bade his own knights to come
+forth-right. When they were together, the good thanes, then had he
+full fifteen thousand, and they fast inclosed Tintateol. Upon the
+sea-strand Tintateol standeth, it is with the sea cliffs fast
+inclosed, so that it may not be won, by no kind of man, but if hunger
+come therein under. The earl marched thence with seven thousand men,
+and proceeded to another castle, and inclosed it full fast, and left
+his wife in Tintateol, with ten thousand men. For it needed the
+knights, day or night, only to guard the castle gate, and he careless
+asleep; and the earl kept the other, and with him his own brother.
+
+Uther heard this, who was king most stark, that Gorlois, his earl, had
+gathered his forces, and would hold war, with much wrath. The king
+summoned his host over all this territory, over all the land that
+stood in his hand, people of many kind marched them together, and came
+to London to the sovereign. Out of London's town fared Uther
+Pendragon, he and his knights proceeded forth-right, so long, that
+they came into Cornwall, and over the water they passed, that Tambres
+hight, right to the castle, where they knew Gorlois to be. With much
+enmity the castle they besieged, oft they assaulted it with fierce
+strength; together they leapt, people there fell. Full seven nights
+the king with his knights besieged the castle, his men there had
+sorrow, he might not of the earl anything win, and all the se'nnight
+lasted the marvellous fight. When Uther the king saw that nothing sped
+to him, oft he bethought him what he might do, for Ygaerne was so dear
+to him, even as his own life, and Gorlois was to him in the land of
+all men most loathsome; and in each way was woe to him in this world's
+realm, because he might not have anything of his will.
+
+Then was with the king an old man exceeding well-informed; he was a
+very rich thane, and skilful in each doom, he was named Ulfin, much
+wisdom was with him. The king drew up his chin, and looked on Ulfin,
+greatly he mourned, his mood was disturbed. Then quoth Uther Pendragon
+to Ulfin the knight: "Ulfin, say me some counsel, or I shall be full
+soon dead, so much it longeth me after the fair Ygaerne, that I may
+not live. This word hold to me secret; for Ulfin the dear, thy good
+counsels, loud and still I will do them." Then answered Ulfin to the
+king who spake with him: "Now hear I a king say great marvel! Thou
+lovest Ygaerne, and holdest it so secret, the woman is to thee dear,
+and her lord all loath, his land thou consumest, and makest him
+destitute, and threatenest himself to slay, and his kin to destroy.
+Weenest thou with such harm to obtain Ygaerne? She should do then as
+no woman doth, with dread unmeet hold love sweet. But if thou lovest
+Ygaerne, thou shouldest hold it secret, and send her soon of silver
+and of gold, and love her with art, and with loving behest. The yet it
+were a doubt, whether thou mightest possess her, for Ygaerne is
+chaste, a woman most true; so was her mother, and more of the kin. In
+sooth I thee say, dearest of all kings, that otherwise thou must
+begin, if thou wilt win her. For yesterday came to me a good hermit,
+and swore by his chin, that he knew Merlin, where he each night
+resteth under heaven, and oft he spake with him, and stories him told.
+And if we might with art get Merlin, then mightest thou thy will
+wholly obtain."
+
+Then was Uther Pendragon the softer in his mood, and gave answer:
+"Ulfin, thou hast well said counsel, I give thee in hand thirty
+ploughs of land, so that thou get Merlin, and do my will." Ulfin went
+through the folk, and sought all the host, and he after a time found
+the hermit, and in haste brought him to the king. And the king set to
+him in hand seven ploughs of land, if he might find and bring Merlin
+to the king. The hermit gan wend in the west end, to a wilderness, to
+a mickle wood, where he had dwelt well many winters, and Merlin very
+oft sought him there. So soon as the hermit came in, then found he
+Merlin, standing under a tree, and sore gan for him long, he saw the
+hermit come, as whilom was his custom, he ran towards him, both they
+rejoiced for this; they embraced, they kissed, and familiarly spake.
+Then said Merlin--much wisdom was with him--"Say thou, my dear friend,
+why wouldest thou not say to me, through no kind of thing, that thou
+wouldest go to the king? But full quickly I it knew anon as I thee
+missed, that thou wert come to Uther the king, and what the king spake
+with thee, and of his land thee offered, that thou shouldest bring me
+to Uther the king. And Ulfin thee sought, and to the king brought, and
+Uther Pendragon forth-right anon, set him in hand thirty ploughs of
+land, and he set thee in hand seven ploughs of land. Uther is desirous
+after Ygaerne the fair, wondrously much, after Gorlois's wife. But so
+long as is eternity, that shall never come, that he obtain her, but
+through my stratagem, for there is no woman truer in this world's
+realm. And nevertheless he shall possess the fair Ygaerne; and he
+shall beget on her what shall widely rule, he shall beget on her a man
+exceeding marvellous. So long as is eternity, he shall never die, the
+while that this world standeth, his glory shall last, and he shall in
+Rome rule the thanes. All shall bow to him that dwelleth in Britain,
+of him shall gleemen goodly sing; of his breast noble poets shall eat;
+of his blood shall men be drunk; from his eyes shall fly fiery embers;
+each finger on his hand shall be a sharp steel brand, stone walls
+shall before him tumble; barons shall give way, and their standards
+fall! Thus he shall well long fare over all the lands, people to
+conquer, and set his laws. These are the tokens of the son, that shall
+come of Uther Pendragon and of Ygaerne. This speech is full secret,
+for yet neither it knoweth, Ygaerne nor Uther, that of Uther Pendragon
+such a son shall arise; for yet he is unbegot, that shall govern all
+the people. But, Lord," quoth Merlin, "now it is thy will, that forth
+I shall go to the host of the king; thy words I will obey, and now I
+will depart, and proceed I will for thy love to Uther Pendragon. And
+thou shalt have the land that he set thee in hand."
+
+Thus they then spake: the hermit gan to weep; dearly he him kissed;
+there they gan to separate. Merlin went right forth south, the land
+was well known to him; forth-right he proceeded to the king's host. So
+soon as Uther him saw, so he approached towards him; and thus quoth
+Uther Pendragon: "Merlin, thou art welcome! Here I set thee in hand
+all the counsel of my land, and that thou must me advise, at my great
+need." Uther told him all that he would, and how Ygaerne was to him in
+the land dearest of women, and Gorlois, her lord, most odious of all
+men.--"And unless I have thy counsel, full soon thou wilt see me
+dead." Then answered Merlin: "Let Ulfin now come in, and give him in
+hand thirty ploughs of land, and give to the hermit what thou him
+promisedest, for I will not possess any land, neither silver nor gold,
+for I am in counsel most skilful of all men, and if I wished for
+possessions, then should I become worse in craft. But all thy will
+well shall come to pass, for I know such leech-craft, that shall be to
+thee lief, so that all thy appearance shall become as the earl's; thy
+speech, thy deeds among thy people; thy horse and thy weeds
+(garments), and so shalt thou ride. When Ygaerne shall see thee, in
+mood shall it be well to her; she lieth in Tintateol, fast inclosed.
+There is no knight so well born, of no land chosen, that might with
+strength unfasten the gates of Tintateol, unless they were burst with
+hunger and with thirst. But that is the sooth that I will say to thee,
+through all things thou shalt be as if thou wert the earl, and I will
+be every bit as Britael he is, who is a knight most hardy, he is this
+earl's steward, Jurdan is his chamber-knight, he is exceeding well
+dight, I will make Ulfin anon such as Jurdan is. Then wilt thou be
+lord, and I be Britael, thy steward, and Ulfin be Jurdan, thy
+chamber-knight. And we shall go now to-night, and fare thou shalt by
+counsel, whither soever I lead thee. Now to-night shall half a hundred
+knights with spear and with shield be about thy tents, so that never
+any man alive come there near, and if ever any man come there, that
+his head be taken from him. For the knights shall say--thy good
+men--that thou art let blood, and restest thee in bed."
+
+These things were forth-right thus dight. Forth went the king, it was
+nothing known, and forth went with him Ulfin and Merlin, they
+proceeded right the way that lay into Tintateol, they came to the
+castle-gate, and called familiarly: "Undo this gate-bolt; the earl is
+come here, Gorlois the lord, and Britael his steward, and Jordan the
+chamber-knight; we have journeyed all night!" The gateward made it
+known over all, and knights ran upon the wall, and spake with Gorlois,
+and knew him full surely. The knights were most alert, and weighed up
+the castle gate, and let him come within--the less was then their
+care,--they weened certainly to have much bliss. Then had they with
+stratagem Merlin there within, and Uther the king within their
+possession, and led there with him his good thane Ulfin. These tidings
+came quickly unto the lady, that her lord was come, and with him his
+three men. Out came Ygaerne forth to the earl, and said these words
+with winsome speech: "Welcome, lord, man to me dearest; and welcome,
+Jordan, and Britael is also;--be ye in safety parted from the king?"
+Then quoth Uther full truly as if it were Gorlois: "Mickle is the
+multitude that is with Uther Pendragon, and I am all by night stolen
+from the fight, for after thee I was desirous, woman thou art to me
+dearest. Go into the chamber, and cause my bed to be made, and I will
+rest me for this night's space, and all day to-morrow, to gladden my
+people." Ygaerne went to chamber, and caused a bed to be made for him,
+the kingly bed was all overspread with a pall. The king viewed it
+well, and went to his bed; and Ygaerne lay down by Uther Pendragon,
+Now weened Ygaerne full truly, that it were Gorlois; through never any
+kind of thing knew she Uther the king. The king approached her as man
+should do to woman, and had him to do with the dearest of women; and
+he begat on her a marvellous man, keenest of all kings, that ever came
+among men, and he was on earth named Arthur. Ygaerne knew not who lay
+in her arms, for ever she weened full surely, that it were the Earl
+Gorlois.
+
+There was no greater interval but until it was daylight, there
+forth-right the knights understood, that the king was departed out of
+the host. Then said the knights, sooth though it were not, that the
+king was flown, filled with dread, but it all was leasing that they
+said of the king, they held hereof much converse upon Uther Pendragon.
+Then said the earls and the highest barons; "Now when Gorlois shall
+know it, how it is passed, that our king is departed, and has left his
+host, he will forth-right weapon his knights, and out he will to
+fight, and fell us to ground, with his furious thanes make mickle
+slaughter; then were it better for us, that we were not born. But
+cause we the trumpets to be blown, and our army to assemble; and Cador
+the brave shall bear the king's standard; heave high the Dragon before
+this people, and march to the castle, with our keen folk. And the Earl
+Aldolf shall be our chief, and we shall obey him, as if he were the
+king; and so we shall with right with Gorlois fight, and if he will
+speak with us, and yearn this king's peace, set amity with soothfast
+oath, then may we with worship go hence; then our underlings will have
+no upbraidings, that we for any timidity hence fled." All the
+nation-folk praised this same counsel. Trumpets they blew, and
+assembled their host; up they heaved the Dragon, by each standard
+unmatched; there was many a bold man, that hung shield on shoulder,
+many a keen thane, and proceeded to the castle, where Gorlois was
+within, with his keen men. He caused trumpets to be blown, and his
+host to assemble; they leapt on steed, knights gan to ride. These
+knights were exceeding active, and went out at the gate; together they
+came soon, and quickly they attacked, fell the fated men, the ground
+they sought; there was much blood shed, harm was among the folk;
+amidst the fight full certainly men slew the Earl Gorlois. Then gan
+his men to flee, and the others to pursue after, they came to the
+castle, and within they thrust. Soon it came within, both the two
+hosts; there lasted the fight throughout the daylight; ere the day
+were all gone, the castle was won; was there no swain so mean, that he
+was not a well good thane.
+
+The tidings came into Tintageol in haste, forth into the castle
+wherein Uther was, that the good earl their lord Gorlois was slain
+full truly, and all his soldiers, and his castle taken. The king heard
+this, where he lay in amorous play, and leapt out of bower, as if it
+were a lion. Then quoth the King Uther, of this tiding he was ware:
+"Be still, be still, knights in hall! Here I am full truly, your lord
+Gorlois; and Jordan, my chamberlain, and Britael, my steward. I and
+these two knights leapt out of the fight, and in hither we are
+arrived--we were not there slain. But now I will march, and assemble
+my host; and I and my knights shall all by night proceed into a town,
+and meet Uther Pendragon, and unless he speak of reconciliation, I
+will worthily avenge me! And inclose ye this castle most fast, and bid
+Ygaerne that she mourn not. Now go I forth-right, have ye all good
+night!" Merlin went before, and the thane Ulfin, and afterwards Uther
+Pendragon, out of Tintageol's town; ever they proceeded all night,
+until it was daylight.
+
+When he came to the spot where his army lay, Merlin had on the king
+set his own features through all things, then his knights knew their
+sovereign; there was many a bold Briton filled with bliss; then was in
+Britain bliss enow; horns there blew, gleemen gan chant, glad was
+every knight, all arrayed with pall! Three days was the king dwelling
+there; and on the fourth day he went to Tintaieol. He sent to the
+castle his best thanes, and greeted Ygaerne, noblest of women, and
+sent her token what they spake in bed; and ordered her that she should
+yield the castle quickly--there was no other counsel, for her lord was
+dead. Yet Ygaerne weened that it were sooth, that the dead earl had
+sought his people, and she all believed, that it were false, that the
+King Uther had ever come down. Knights went to counsel, knights went
+to communing, they resolved that they would not hold the castle any
+longer, their bridge they let down and delivered it to Uther
+Pendragon. Then stood all this kingdom eft in Uther's own hand.
+
+There Uther the king took Ygaerne for queen; Ygaerne was with child by
+Uther the king, all through Merlin's craft, before she was wedded. The
+time came that was chosen, then was Arthur born. So soon as he came on
+earth, elves took him; they enchanted the child with magic most
+strong, they gave him might to be the best of all knights; they gave
+him another thing, that he should be a rich king, they gave him the
+third, that he should live long; they gave to him the prince virtues
+most good, so that he was most generous of all men alive. This the
+elves gave him, and thus the child thrived. After Arthur, the blessed
+lady was born, she was named Anna, the blessed maiden; and afterwards
+she took (married) Loth, who possessed Leoneis (Lothian), she was in
+Leoneis lady of the people. Long lived Uther with mickle bliss here,
+with good peace, with much quiet, free in his kingdom.
+
+When that he was an old man, then came illness on him; the illness
+laid him down, sick was Uther Pendragon, so he was here sick seven
+years. Then became the Britons much emboldened, they did oft wickedly,
+all for absence of dread. The yet lay Octa, Hengest's son, bound in
+the prison of London, who was taken at York, and his comrade Ebissa,
+and his other Ossa. Twelve knights guarded them day and night, who
+were wearily oppressed with watching, in London. Octa heard say of the
+sickness of the king, and spake with the guardsmen, who should keep
+him: "Hearken to me now, knights, what I will make known to you. We
+lie here in London fast bound, and ye many a long day have watched
+over us. Better were it for us to live in Saxland, with much wealth,
+than thus miserably here lie asleep. And if ye would in all things
+accomplish this, and do my will, I would give you land, much silver
+and gold, so that ever ye might richly rule in the land, and live your
+life as to you shall be liefest of all. For ye shall never have good
+gifts of Uther, your king, for now full soon he will be dead, and his
+people all desert, then will ye have neither, the one nor the other.
+But bethink you, brave men, and give to us your compassion, and think
+what were lief to you, if ye thus lay bound, and might in your land
+live in joy." Very oft Octa spake so with these knights. The knights
+gan to commune, the knights gan to counsel, and to Octa they said full
+still: "We shall do thy will." Oaths they swore, that they would not
+deceive. It was on a night that the wind went right; forth went the
+knights at the midnight, and led forth Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa,
+along the Thames they proceeded forth into the sea; forth they passed
+into Saxland. Their kindred came towards them with great flocks
+(forces); they marched over all the land, as to them was liefest, men
+gave them gifts and land; men gave them silver and gold Octa bethought
+him what he might do; he thought to come hither, and avenge his
+father's wounds. They procured a host of innumerable folk, to the sea
+they proceeded with great threats, they came to Scotland; soon they
+pushed on land, and greeted it with fire; the Saxons were cruel, the
+Scots they slew; with fire they down laid thirty hundred towns; the
+Scots they slew, many and innumerable.
+
+The tidings came to Uther the king. Uther was exceeding woe, and
+wonderfully grieved, and sent in to Loeneis, to his dear friends, and
+greeted Loth, his son-in-law, and bade him be in health, and ordered
+him to take in his own hand all his royal land; knights and freemen,
+and freely hold them, and lead them in a host, as the laws are in the
+land. And he ordered his dear knights to be obedient to Loth, with
+loving looks, as if he were sovereign. For Loth was very good knight,
+and had held many fight, and he was liberal to every man, he delivered
+to him the government of all this land. Octa held much war, and Loth
+often fought with him, and oft he gained possessions, and oft he them
+lost. The Britons had mickle mood, and immoderate pride, and were void
+of dread, on account of the king's age; and looked very contemptuously
+on Loth the earl, and did very evilly all his commands, and were all
+two counsels--their care was the more! This was soon said to the sick
+king, that his high men Loth all despised.
+
+Now will I tell thee, in this history, how Uther the king disposed
+himself. He said that he would go to his host, and see with his eyes
+who would there do well. He caused there to be made a good
+horse-litter, and caused an army to be assembled over all his kingdom;
+that each man by (on pain of) his life should come to him quickly, by
+their lives and by their limbs, to avenge the king's shame.--"And if
+there is any man, who will not come hastily, I will speedily destroy
+him, either slay either hang." All full soon to the court (or to the
+army) they came, durst there none remain, nor the fat nor the lean.
+The king forth-right took all his knights, and marched him anon to the
+town of Verulam; about Verolam's town came him Uther Pendragon; Octa
+was within with all his men. Then was Verulam a most royal town, Saint
+Alban was there slain, and deprived of life-day; the burgh was
+subsequently destroyed, and much folk there was slain. Uther lay
+without, and Octa within. Uther's army advanced to the wall, the
+powerful thanes fiercely assaulted it, they might not of the wall one
+stone detach, nor with any strength the wall injure.
+
+Well blithe was then Hengest's son Octa, when he saw the Britons
+recede from the walls, and go sorrowful again to their tents. Then
+said Octa to his comrade Ebissa: "Here is come to Verulam Uther, the
+lame man, and will with us here fight in his litter; he weened with
+his crutch to thrust us down! But to-morrow when it is day, the people
+shall arise, and open our castle-gate, and this realm we shall all
+win; shall we never lie here for one lame man! Out we shall ride upon
+our good steeds, and advance to Uther, and fell his folk; for all they
+are fated (shall die) that hither are ridden; and take the lame man,
+and lay in our bonds, and hold the wretch until that he dies; and so
+men shall leach his limbs that are sore, and heal his bones with
+bitter steel!" Thus spake him Octa with his comrade Ebissa; but all it
+happened otherwise than they weened. On the morrow when it dawned,
+they unfastened the doors; up arose Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa, and
+ordered their knights to prepare them for fight, to undo their broad
+gates, and unfasten the burgh. Octa rode him out, and much folk
+followed after him; with his bold warriors there he bale found! Uther
+saw him this, that Octa approached to them, and thought to fell his
+host to the ground.
+
+Then called Uther with quick voice there: "Where be ye, Britons, my
+bold thanes? Now is come that day, that the Lord may help us;--that
+Octa shall find, in that he threatened me to bind. Think of your
+ancestors, how good they were in fight; think of the worship that I
+have to you well given; nor let ye ever this heathen enjoy your homes,
+or these same raging hounds possess your lands. And I will pray to the
+Lord who formed the daylight, and to all the hallows, that sit high in
+heaven, that I on this field may be succoured. Now march quickly to
+them,--may the Lord aid you, may the all-ruling God protect my
+thanes!" Knights gan to ride, spears gan to glide, and broad spears
+brake, shivered shields--helms there were severed, men fell! The
+Britons were bold, and busy in fight, and the heathen hounds fell to
+the ground. There was slain Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa; there seventeen
+thousand sunk into hell; and many there escaped toward the north end.
+And all the daylight Uther's knights slew and captured all that they
+came nigh; when it was even, then was it all won. Then sung the
+soldiers with great strength, and said these words in their merry
+songs: "Here is Uther Pendragon come to Verulam's town; and he hath so
+beaten Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa, and given them in the land laws
+most strong, so that men may tell their kin in story, and thereof make
+songs in Saxland!" Then was Uther blithe, and exceeding glad, and
+spake with his people, that was dear to him in heart, and these words
+said Uther the old: "Saxish men have accounted me for base; my
+sickness they twitted me with their scornful words, because I was led
+here in a horse-litter; and said that I was dead, and my folk asleep.
+And now is much wonder come to this realm, that now this dead king
+hath killed these quick; and some he hath them driven forth with the
+weather! Now hereafter be done the Lord's will!"
+
+The Saxish men fled exceeding fast, that had aside retreated from the
+fight; forth they gan proceed into Scotland, and took to them for king
+Colgrim the fair. He was Hengest's relation, and dearest of men to
+him; and Octa loved him, the while that he lived. The Saxish men were
+greatly discouraged, and proceeded them together into Scotland; and
+they made Colgrim the fair for king, and assembled a host, wide over
+the land, and said that they would with their wicked craft in
+Winchester town kill Uther Pendragon. Alas, that it should so happen!
+Now said the Saxish men in their communing together: "Take we six
+knights, wise men and active, and skilful spies, and send we to the
+court, in almsman's guise, and dwell in the court, with the high king,
+and every day pass through all the people; and go to the king's dole,
+as if they were infirm, and among the poor people hearken studiously
+if man might with craft, by day or by night, in Winchester's town come
+to Uther Pendragon, and kill the king with murder;"--then were (would
+be) their will wholly accomplished, then were they careless of
+Constanine's kin. Now went forth the knights all by daylight, in
+almsman's clothes--knights most wicked--to the king's court--there
+they harm wrought. They went to the dole, as if they were infirm, and
+hearkened studiously of the king's sickness, how men might put the
+king to death. Then met they with a knight, from the king he came
+forth-right; he was Uther's relation, and dearest of men to him. These
+deceivers, where they sate along the street, called to the knight with
+familiar words: "Lord, we are wretched men in this world's realm;
+whilom we were in land accounted for good men, until Saxish men set us
+adown, and bereaved us of all, and our possessions took from us. Now
+we sing beads (prayers) for Uther the king; each day in a meal our
+meat faileth; cometh never in our dish neither flesh nor any fish, nor
+any kind of drink but a draught of water, but water clean--therefore
+we are thus lean."
+
+The knight heard this; back he went forth-right, and came to the king,
+where he lay in chamber, and said to the king: "Lord, be thou in
+health! Here out sit six men, alike in hue, all they are companions,
+and clothed with hard hair-cloth. Whilom they were in this world's
+realm goodly thanes, and filled with goods; now have Saxish men set
+them to ground, so that they are in the world accounted for wretches,
+they have not at board but bread alone, nor for their drink but water
+draughts. Thus they lead their life in thy people, and bid their
+beads, that God will let thee long live." Then quoth Uther the king:
+"Let them come in hither, I will them clothe, and I will them feed,
+for the love of my Lord, the while that I live." The treacherous men
+came into the chamber, the king caused them to be fed, the king caused
+them to be clothed, and at night each laid them on his bed. And each
+on his part aspied earnestly how they might kill the king with murder,
+but they might not through anything kill Uther the king, nor through
+any craft might come to him.
+
+Then happened it on a time, the rain it gan to pour; then called there
+a leech, where he lay in the chamber, to a chamber-knight, and ordered
+him forth-right to run to the well, that was near the hall, and set
+there a good swam, to keep it from the rain.--"For the king may not
+enjoy no draught in the world but the cold well stream, that is to him
+pleasant; that is for his sickness best of all draughts." This speech
+forth-right heard these six knights--to harm they were prompt--and
+went out by night forth to the well--there they harm wrought. Out they
+drew soon fair phials, filled with poison, of all liquids bitterest;
+six phials full they poured in the well; then was the well anon with
+poison infected. Then were full blithe the traitors in their life, and
+forth they went; they durst not there remain. Then came there
+forth-right two chamber-knights; they bare in their hands two bowls of
+gold. They came to the well, and filled their bowls; back they gan
+wend to Uther the king, forth into the chamber, where he lay in
+bed.--"Hail be thou, Uther! Now we are come here, and we have brought
+thee, what thou ere bade, cold well water; receive it with joy." Up
+arose the sick king, and sate on his bed; of the water he drank, and
+soon he gan to sweat; his heart gan to weaken, his face began to
+blacken, his belly gan to swell, the king gan to burst. There was no
+other hap, but there was Uther the king dead; and all they were dead,
+who drank of the water.
+
+When the attendants saw the calamity of the king, and of the king's
+men, who with poison were destroyed, then went to the well knights
+that were active, and destroyed the well with painful labour, with
+earth and with stones made a steep hill. Then the people took the dead
+king--numerous folk--and forth him carried the stiff-minded men into
+Stonehenge, and there buried him, by his dear brother; side by side
+there they lie both.
+
+Then came it all together, that was highest in the land, earls and
+barons, and book-learned men; they came to London, to a mickle
+husting, and the rich thanes betook them all to counsel, that they
+would send messengers over sea into Britanny, after the best of all
+youth that was in the worlds-realm in those days, named Arthur the
+strong, the best of all knights; and say that he should come soon to
+his kingdom; for dead was he Uther Pendragon, as Aurelie was ere, and
+Uther Pendragon had no other son, that might after his days hold by
+law the Britons, maintain with worship, and rule this kingdom. For yet
+were in this land the Saxons settled; Colgrim the keen, and many
+thousands of his companions, that oft made to our Britons evil
+injuries. The Britons full soon took three bishops, and seven riders,
+strong in wisdom; forth they gan proceed into Britanny, and they full
+soon came to Arthur.--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of knights! Uther
+thee greeted, when he should depart, and bade that thou shouldest
+thyself in Britain hold right laws, and help thy folk, and defend this
+kingdom, as good king should do, defeat thy enemies, and drive them
+from land. And he prayed the mild Son of God to be to thee now in aid,
+that thou mightest do well, and the land receive from God. For dead is
+Uther Pendragon, and thou art Arthur, his son; and dead is the other,
+Aurelie his brother." Thus they gan tell, and Arthur sate full still;
+one while he was wan, and in hue exceeding pale; one while he was red,
+and was moved in heart. When it all brake forth, it was good that he
+spake; and thus said he there right, Arthur the noble knight: "Lord
+Christ, God's Son, be to us now in aid, that I may in life hold God's
+laws!"
+
+Arthur was fifteen years old, when this tiding was told to him, and
+all they were well employed, for he was much instructed. Arthur
+forth-right called his knights, and bade every man get ready his
+weapons, and saddle their horses very speedily, for he would go to
+this Britain. To the sea proceeded the good thanes, at Michael's
+mount, with a mickle host, the sea set them on the strand, at
+Southampton they came ashore. Forth he gan ride, Arthur the powerful,
+right to Silchester; there it seemed good to him; there was the host
+of Britons boldly assembled. Great was the bliss when Arthur came to
+the burgh; then was blast of trumpets, and men most glad; there they
+raised to be king Arthur the young.
+
+When Arthur was king--hearken now a marvellous thing;--he was liberal
+to each man alive, knight with the best, wondrously keen! He was to
+the young for father, to the old for comforter, and with the unwise
+wonderfully stern, wrong was to him exceeding loathsome, and the right
+ever dear. Each of his cupbearers, and of his chamber-thanes, and his
+chamber-knights, bare gold in hand, to back and to bed, clad with gold
+web. He had never any cook, that he was not champion most good; never
+any knight's swam, that he was not bold thane! The king held all his
+folk together with great bliss, and with such things he overcame all
+kings, with fierce strength and with treasure. Such were his
+qualities, that all folk it knew. Now was Arthur good king, his people
+loved him, eke it was known wide, of his kingdom.
+
+The king held in London a mickle husting; thereto were arrived all his
+knights, rich men and poor, to honour the king. When that it was all
+come, a numerous folk, up arose Arthur noblest of kings, and caused to
+be brought before him reliques well choice, and thereto the king gan
+soon to kneel thrice,--his people knew not what he would pronounce.
+Arthur held up his right hand, an oath he there swore, that never by
+his life, for no man's lore, should the Saxons become blithe in
+Britain, nor be landholders, nor enjoy worship, but he would drive
+them out, for they were at enmity with him. For they slew Uther
+Pendragon, who was son of Constance, so they did the other, Aurelie,
+his brother, therefore they were in land loathest of all folk. Arthur
+forth-right took his wise knights, were it lief to them were it loath
+to them, they all swore the same oath, that they would truly hold with
+Arthur, and avenge the King Uther, whom the Saxons killed here. Arthur
+sent his writs wide over his land, after all the knights that he might
+obtain, that they full soon should come to the king, and he would in
+land lovingly maintain them; reward them with land, with silver and
+with gold. Forth went the king with a numerous host, he led a
+surprising multitude, and marched right to York. There he lay one
+night, on the morrow he proceeded forth-right where he knew Colgrim to
+be, and his comrades with him.
+
+Since Octa was slam, and deprived of life-day, who was Hengest's son,
+out of Saxland come, Colgrim was the noblest man that came out of
+Saxland, after Hengest, and Hors, his brother, and Octa, and Ossa, and
+their companion Ebissa. At that day Colgrim ruled the Saxons by
+authority, led and counselled, with fierce strength; mickle was the
+multitude that marched with Colgrim! Colgrim heard tiding of Arthur
+the king, that he came toward him, and would do to him evil. Colgrim
+bethought him what he might do, and assembled his host over all the
+North land. There came together all the Scottish people, Peohtes and
+Saxons joined them together, and men of many kind followed Colgrim.
+Forth he gan to march with an immense force, against Arthur, noblest
+of kings, he thought to kill the king in his land, and fell his folk
+to the ground, and set all this kingdom in his own hand, and fell to
+the ground Arthur the young. Forth marched Colgrim, and his army with
+him, and proceeded with his host until he came to a water, the water
+is named Duglas, people it destroyed!
+
+There came Arthur against him, ready with his fight; on a broad ford
+the hosts them met, vigorously their brave champions attacked, the
+fated fell to the ground! There was much blood shed, and woe there was
+rife, shivered shafts, men there fell! Arthur saw that, in mood he was
+uneasy, Arthur bethought him what he might do, and drew him backward
+on a broad field. When his foes weened that he would fly, then was
+Colgrim glad, and all his host with him, they weened that Arthur had
+with fear retreated there, and passed over the water, as if they were
+mad. When Arthur saw that, that Colgrim was so nigh to him, and they
+were both beside the water, thus said Arthur, noblest of kings: "See
+ye not, my Britons, here beside us, our full foes--Christ destroy
+them!--Colgrim the strong, out of Saxland? His kin in this land killed
+our ancestors, but now is the day come, that the Lord hath appointed,
+that he shall lose the life, and lose his friends, or else we shall be
+dead, we may not see him alive! The Saxish men shall abide sorrow, and
+we avenge worthily our friends." Up caught Arthur his shield, before
+his breast, and he gan to rush as the howling wolf, when he cometh
+from the wood, behung with snow, and thinketh to bite such beasts as
+he liketh. Arthur then called to his dear knights: "Advance we
+quickly, brave thanes! all together towards them; we all shall do
+well, and they forth fly, as the high wood, when the furious wind
+heaveth it with strength!" Flew over the wealds thirty thousand
+shields, and smote on Colgrim's knights, so that the earth shook
+again. Brake the broad spears, shivered shields; the Saxish men fell
+to the ground! Colgrim saw that, therefore he was woe--the fairest man
+of all that came out of Saxland. Colgrim gan to flee, exceeding
+quickly; and his horse bare him with great strength over the deep
+water, and saved him from death. The Saxons gan to sink--sorrow was
+given to them! Arthur hastened speedily to the water, and turned his
+spear's point, and hindered to them the ford; there the Saxons were
+drowned, full seven thousand. Some they gan wander, as the wild crane
+doth in the moorfen, when his flight is impaired, and swift hawks
+pursue after him, and hounds with mischief meet him in the reeds; then
+is neither good to him, nor the land nor the flood, the hawks him
+smite, the hounds him bite, then is the royal fowl at his death-time!
+Colgrim fled him over the fields quickly, until he came to York,
+riding most marvellously; he went into the burgh, and fast it
+inclosed; he had within ten thousand men, burghers with the best; that
+were beside him. Arthur pursued after him with thirty thousand
+knights, and marched right to York with folk very numerous, and
+besieged Colgrim at York, who defended it against him.
+
+Seven nights therebefore Baldolf the fair, Colgrim's brother, was gone
+southward, and lay by the sea-side, and abode Childric. Childric was
+in those days a kaiser of powerful authority; the land in Alemaine was
+his own. When Baldolf heard, where he lay by the sea, that Arthur had
+inclosed Colgrim in York, Baldolf had assembled seven thousand men,
+bold fellows, who by the sea lay; they took them to counsel, that back
+they would ride, and leave Childric, and proceed into York, and fight
+with Arthur, and destroy all his people. Baldolf swore in his anger,
+that he would be Arthur's bane, and possess all this realm, with
+Colgrim his brother. Baldolf would not wait for the kaiser Childric,
+but thence he marched forth, and drew him forth right north, from day
+to day, with his bold folk, until he came into a wood, into a
+wilderness, full seven miles from Arthur's host. He had thought by
+night with seven thousand knights to ride upon Arthur, and fell his
+folk, and himself kill.
+
+But all it otherwise happened, other than he weened; for Baldolf had
+in his host a British knight; he was Arthur's relative, named Maurin.
+Maurin went aside to the wood, through woods and through fields, until
+he came to Arthur's tents; and thus said soon to Arthur the king:
+"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings! I am hither come; I am of thy
+kindred. Here is Baldolf arrived with warriors most hardy, and
+thinketh in this night to slay thee and thy knights, to avenge his
+brother, who is greatly discouraged, but God shall prevent him,
+through his mickle might, And send now forth Cador, the Earl of
+Cornwall, and with him bold knights, good and brave, full seven
+hundred good thanes; and I will counsel them, and I will lead them,
+how they may Baldolf slay as if a wolf." Forth went Cador and all
+these knights, so that they came aside where Baldolf lay in tents,
+they advanced to him on each side; they slew, they captured all that
+they came nigh;--there were killed nine hundred all out told.
+
+Baldolf was gone aside to save himself, and fled through the
+wilderness, wondrously fast; and had his dear men with sorrow
+deserted, and fled him so far north, that he came so forth, where
+Arthur lay on the weald, with his powerful host, all about York--king
+most surprising! Colgrim was within with the Saxish men, and Baldulf
+bethought him what he might do; with what kind of stratagem he might
+come within, into the burgh, to Colgrim his brother, who was to him
+the dearest of all men alive. Baldulf caused to be shaved to the bare
+skin his beard and his chin, and made him as a fool; he caused half
+his head to be shorn, and took him in hand a long harp. He could harp
+exceeding well in his childhood; and with his harp he went to the
+king's host, and gan there to play, and much game to make. Oft men him
+smote with wands most smart; oft men him struck as men do fool; each
+man that met him, greeted him with derision; so never any man knew of
+Baldulf's appearance, but that it were a fool come to the folk! So
+long he went upward, so long he went downward, that they were aware,
+who were there within, that it was Baldulf without, Colgrim's brother.
+They cast out a rope, and Baldulf grasped it fast, and they drew up
+Baldulf, so that he came within, with such kind of stratagem Baldulf
+came within. Then was Colgrim blithe, and all his knights with him,
+and greatly they gan to threaten Arthur the king. Arthur was beside,
+and saw this game, and wrathed himself wondrously much; and ordered
+anon all his brave folk to weapon them; he thought to win the burgh
+with strength.
+
+As Arthur was about to assault the wall, then came there riding
+Patrick, the rich man, who was a Scottish thane, fair in his land; and
+thus began to call to the king anon: "Hail be thou, Arthur the king,
+noblest of Britons! I will tell thee new tiding, of the kaiser
+Childric, the furious and the powerful, the strong and the bold. He is
+in Scotland arrived in a haven, and the homes consumeth, and wieldeth
+all our land in his own hand. He hath a host brave, all the strength
+of Rome; he saith with his boast, when men pour to him the wine, that
+thou darest not in any spot his attacks abide, neither in field, nor
+in wood, nor in ever any place. And if thou him abidest, he will thee
+bind; destroy thy people, and possess thy land."
+
+Oft was Arthur woe, but never worse than then; and he drew him
+backward, beside the burgh; called to counsel knights at need, barons
+and earls, and the holy bishops; and bade that they should him
+counsel, how he might in the realm with his army his honour maintain,
+and fight with Childric, the strong and the powerful, who hither would
+come, to help Colgrim. Then answered the Britons, that were there
+beside: "Go we right to London, and let him come after; and if he
+cometh riding, sorrow he shall abide; he himself and his host shall
+die!" Arthur approved all that his people counselled; forth he gan
+march until he came to London.
+
+Colgrim was in York, and there he abode Childric. Childric gan proceed
+over the North end, and took in his hand a great deal of land. All
+Scotland he gave to a thane of his, and all Northumberland he set in
+the hand of his brother; Galloway and Orkney he gave to an earl of
+his; himself he took the land from Humber into London. He thought
+never more of Arthur to have mercy, unless he would become his man,
+Arthur, Uther's son.
+
+Arthur was in London, with all the Britons; he summoned his forces
+over all this land, that every man, that good would grant to him,
+quickly and full soon to London should come. Then was England filled
+with harm; here was weeping and here was lament, and sorrow
+immoderate; mickle hunger and strife at every man's gate! Arthur sent
+over sea two good knights, to Howel his relation, who was to him
+dearest of men, who possessed Britanny, knight with the best; and bade
+him full soon, that he hither should come, sail to land, to help the
+people; for Childric had in hand much of this land, and Colgrim and
+Baldulf were come to him, and thought to drive Arthur the king out of
+the land; take from him his right, and his kingdom;--then were his
+kindred disgraced with shameful injury; their worship lost in this
+worlds-realm: then were it better for the king, that he were not born!
+Howel heard this, the highest of Britanny; and he gan to call his good
+knights anon, and bade them to horse exceeding speedily, and go into
+France, to the free knights, and should say to them that they should
+come, quickly and full soon, to Michael's Mount, with mickle strength,
+all who would of silver and of gold, win worship in this worlds-realm.
+To Poitou he sent his good thanes; and some toward Flanders, exceeding
+quickly; and to Touraine, two there proceeded, and into Gascony,
+knights eke good, and ordered them to come with strength toward
+Michael's Mount; and ere they went to flood (embarked), they should
+have gifts good, that they might the blither depart from their land,
+and with Howel the fair come to this land, to help Arthur, noblest of
+kings. Thirteen days were passed since the messengers came there, then
+advanced they toward the sea, as the hail doth from the welkin; and
+two hundred ships were there well prepared, men filled them with folk,
+and forth they voyaged; the wind and the weather stood after their
+will; and they came to land at Hamtone. Up leapt from the ships the
+furious men; bare to the land helms and burnies; with spears and with
+shields they covered all the fields. There was many a bold Briton that
+threat had raised, they threatened greatly, by their quick life, that
+they would greet Childric the powerful, the bold kaiser, with much
+harm there. And if he would not flee away, and toward Alemaine
+proceed, and if he would in the land with fight resist; with his bold
+people the barks abide; here they should leave what to them were
+dearest of all, their heads and hands, and their white helms; "and so
+they shall in this land lose their friends, and fall into hell--the
+heathen hounds'"
+
+Arthur was in London, noblest of kings, and heard say sooth relation,
+that Howel the strong was come to land, forth-right to Hamtone, with
+thirty thousand knights, and with innumerable folk, that followed the
+king; Arthur towards him marched, with great bliss; with a mickle
+host, towards his relation. Together they came--bliss was among the
+folk--and they kissed and embraced, and spake familiarly; and anon
+forthright assembled their knights. Then were there together two good
+armies, of whom Howel should command thirty thousand knights, and
+Arthur had in land forty thousand in hand. Forth-right they marched
+toward the North end, toward Lincoln night and day, that Childric the
+kaiser besieged. But he the yet had nought won; for there were within
+seven thousand men, brave men and active, by day and night.
+
+Arthur with his forces marched toward the burgh; and Arthur
+fore-ordered his knights, by day and night, that they should proceed
+as still, as if they would steal; pass over the country, and cease any
+noise; horns and trumpets, all should be relinquished. Arthur took a
+knight, that was a brave man and active; and sent him to Lincoln to
+his dear men, and he said to them in sooth, with mouth, that Arthur
+would come, noblest of kings, at the midnight, and with him many a
+good knight.--"And ye within, then be ye ware, that when ye hear the
+din, that ye the gates unfasten; and sally out of the burgh, and fell
+your foes; and smite on Childric, the strong and the powerful; and we
+shall tell them British tales!"
+
+It was at the midnight, when the moon shone right south, Arthur with
+his host marched to the burgh; the folk was as still as if they would
+steal; forth they proceeded until they saw Lincoln. Thus gan he call,
+Arthur the keen man: "Where be ye, my knights, my dear-worthy
+warriors? See ye the tents, where Childric lieth on the fields;
+Colgrim and Baldulf, with bold strength; the Alemainish folk, that us
+hath harmed, and the Saxish folk, that sorrow to us promiseth; that
+all hath killed the highest of my kin; Constance and Constantine, and
+Uther, who was my father, and Aurelie Ambrosie, who was my father's
+brother, and many thousand men of my noble kindred? Go we out to them,
+and lay to the ground, and worthily avenge our kin and their realm;
+and all together forth-right now ride every good knight!" Then Arthur
+gan to ride, and the army gan to move, as if all the earth would be
+consumed; and smote in the fields among Childric's tents. That was the
+first man, that there gan to shout--Arthur the noble man, who was
+Uther's son--keenly and loud, as becometh a king: "Now aid us, Mary,
+God's mild mother! And I pray her son, that he be to us in succour!"
+Even with the words they turned their spears; pierced and slew all
+that they came nigh. And the knights out of the burgh marched against
+them (the enemy); if they fled to the burgh, there they were
+destroyed; if they fled to the wood, there they slaughtered them; come
+wherever they might come, ever they them slew. It is not in any book
+indited, that ever any fight were in this Britain, that mischief was
+so rife; for folk it was most miserable, that ever came to the land!
+There was mickle blood-shed, mischief was among the folk; death there
+was rife; the earth there became dun!
+
+Childric the kaiser had a castle here, in Lincoln's field, where he
+lay within, that was newly wrought, and exceeding well guarded; and
+there were with him Baldulf and Colgrim, and saw that their folk
+suffered death. And they anon forth-right, on with their burnies, and
+fled out of the castle, of courage bereft; and fled forth-right anon
+to the wood of Calidon. They had for companions seven hundred riders;
+and they left forty thousand slain, and deprived of life-day, felled
+to the ground; Alemainish men, with mischief destroyed, and the Saxish
+men, brought to the ground! Then saw Arthur, noblest of kings, that
+Childric was flown, and into Calidon gone, and Colgrim and Baldulf
+with him were gone into the high wood, into the high holm. And Arthur
+pursued after with sixty thousand knights of British people; the wood
+he all surrounded; and on one side they it felled, full seven miles,
+one tree upon another, truly fast; on the other side he surrounded it
+with his army, three days and three nights;--that was to them mickle
+harm.
+
+Then saw Colgrim, as he lay therein, that there was without meat sharp
+hunger, and strife; nor they nor their horses help had any. And thus
+called Colgrim to the kaiser: "Say me, Lord Childric, sooth words; for
+what kind of thing lie we thus herein? Why should we not go out, and
+assemble our host, and begin fight with Arthur and with his knights?
+For better it is for us on land with honour to lie, than that we thus
+here perish for hunger; it grieveth us sore, to the destruction of the
+folk. Either send we again and again, and yearn Arthur's peace, and
+pray thus his mercy, and hostages deliver him, and make friendship
+with the free king." Childric heard this, where he lay within the
+dyke, and he answered with sorrowful voice: "If Baldulf it will, who
+is thine own brother, and more of our comrades, who with us are here,
+that we pray Arthur's peace, and make amity with him, after your will
+I will do it. For Arthur is esteemed very noble man in land; dear to
+all his men, and of royal kindred, all come of kings; he was Uther's
+son. And oft it befalleth, in many kind of land, where the good
+knights come to stern fight, that they who first gain, afterwards they
+it lose. And thus to us now is befallen here, and eft to us better
+will happen, if we may live." Soon forth-right answered all the
+knights: "We all praise this counsel, for thou hast well said!"
+
+They took twelve knights, and sent forth-right, where he was in tent,
+by the wood's end; and the one called anon with quick voice: "Lord
+Arthur, thy peace! We would speak with thee; hither the kaiser sent
+us, who is named Childric, and Colgrim and Baldulf, both together. Now
+and evermore they pray thy mercy; thy men they will become, and thy
+honour advance, and they will give to thee hostages enow, and hold
+thee for lord, as to thee shall be liefest of all, if they may depart
+hence with life into their land; and bring evil tidings. For here we
+have found sorrows of many kind; at Lincoln left our dear relatives;
+sixty thousand men, that there are slain. And if it were to thee will
+in heart, that we might pass over sea with sail, we would nevermore
+eft come here; for here we have lost our dear relatives. So long as is
+ever, here come we back never!" Then laughed Arthur, with loud
+voice:--"Thanked be the Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that Childric
+the strong is tired of my land! My land he hath divided to all his
+knights; myself he thought to drive out of my country; hold me for
+base, and have my realm, and my kin all put to death, my folk all
+destroy. But of him it is happened, as it is of the fox, when he is
+boldest over the weald, and hath his full play, and fowls enow; for
+wildness he climbeth, and rocks he seeketh; in the wilderness holes to
+him worketh. Fare whosoever shall fare, he hath never any care; he
+weeneth to be of power the boldest of all animals. But when come to
+him the men under the hills, with horns, with hounds, with loud cries;
+the hunters there hollow, the hounds there give tongue, they drive the
+fox over dales and over downs, he fleeth to the holm, and seeketh his
+hole; in the furthest end in the hole he goeth; then is the bold fox
+of bliss all deprived, and men dig to him on each side; then is there
+most wretched the proudest of all animals! So was it with Childric,
+the strong and the rich; he thought all my kingdom to set in his own
+hand, but now I have driven him to the bare death, whether so
+(whatsoever) I will do, either slay or hang. Now will I give him
+peace, and let him speak with me; I will not him slay, nor hang, but
+his prayer I will receive. Hostages I will have of the highest of his
+men; their horses and weapons, ere they hence depart; and so they
+shall as wretches go to their ships; sail over sea to their good land,
+and there worthily dwell in their realm, and tell tidings of Arthur
+the king, how I them have freed, for my father's soul, and for my
+freedom solaced the wretches." Hereby was Arthur the king of honour
+deprived, was there no man so bold that durst him advise;--that
+repented him sore, soon thereafter!
+
+Childric came from covert to Arthur the king; and he there became his
+man, with all his knights. Four-and-twenty hostages Childric there
+delivered, all they were chosen, and noble men born; they delivered
+their horses, and their burnies, spears and shields, and their long
+swords; all they relinquished that they there had. Forth they gan to
+march until they came to the sea, where their good ships by the sea
+stood. The wind stood at will, the weather most favourable, and they
+shoved from the strand ships great and long; the land they all left,
+and floated with the waves, that no sight of land they might see. The
+water was still, after their will; they let together their sails
+glide, board against board, the men there discoursed and said that
+they would return eft to this land, and avenge worthily their
+relatives, and waste Arthur's land, and kill his folk, and win the
+castles, and work their pleasure.
+
+So they voyaged on the sea even so long, that they came between
+England and Normandy; they veered their luffs, and came toward land,
+so that they came full surely to Dartmouth at Totnes; with much bliss
+they approached to the land. So soon as they came on land, the folk
+they slew; the churls they drove off, that tilled the earth there; the
+knights they hung, that defended the land, all the good wives they
+sticked with knives; all the maidens they killed with murder; and all
+the learned men (clerics) they laid on embers. All the domestics (or
+baser sort) they killed with clubs; they felled the castles, the land
+they ravaged; the churches they consumed--grief was among the
+folk!--the sucking children they drowned in the water. The cattle that
+they took, all they slaughtered; to their inns they carried it, and
+boiled it and roasted; all they it took, that they came nigh. All day
+they sung of Arthur the king, and said that they had won homes, that
+they should hold in their power; and there they would dwell winter and
+summer. And if Arthur were so keen, that he would come to fight with
+Childric, the strong and the rich, they would of his back make a
+bridge, and take all the bones of the noble king, and tie them
+together with golden ties, and lay them in the hall door, where each
+man should go forth, to the worship of Childric, the strong and the
+rich! This was all their game, for Arthur the king's shame; but all it
+happened in otherwise, soon thereafter; their boast and their game
+befell to themselves to shame; and so doth well everywhere the man
+that so acteth.
+
+Childric the kaiser won all that he looked on with eyes; he took
+Somerset, and he took Dorset, and in Devonshire the folk all
+destroyed, and Wiltshire with hostility he greeted, he took all the
+lands unto the sea strand. Then at the last, then caused he horns and
+trumpets to be blown, and his host to be assembled, and forth he would
+march, and Bath all besiege, and eke Bristol about berow. This was
+their threat, ere they to Bath came. To Bath came the kaiser, and
+belay the castle there; and the men within bravely began; they mounted
+upon the stone walls, well weaponed over all, and defended the place
+against Childric the strong. There lay the kaiser, and Colgrim his
+companion, and Baldulf his brother, and many another.
+
+Arthur was by the North, and knew nought hereof; he proceeded over all
+Scotland, and set it in his own hand; Orkney and Galloway, Man and
+Moray, and all the lands that lay thereto. Arthur it weened to be
+certain thing, that Childric had departed to his own land, and that he
+never more would come here. When the tidings came to Arthur the king,
+that Childric the kaiser was come to land, and in the South end sorrow
+there wrought, then said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Alas! alas! that I
+spared my foe! that I had not with hunger destroyed him in the wood,
+or with sword cut him all to pieces! Now he yields to me meed for my
+good deeds. But so held me the Lord, who formed the daylight, he shall
+therefore abide bitterest of all bales--hard games;--his bane I will
+be! And Colgrim and Baldulf both I will kill, and all their people
+shall suffer death. If the Ruler of Heaven will grant it, I will
+worthily avenge all his hostile deeds; if the life in my breast may
+last to me, and the Power that formed moon and sun will grant it to
+me, never shall Childric eft deceive me!"
+
+Now called Arthur, noblest of kings:--"Where be ye, my knights, brave
+men and active! To horse, to horse, good warriors; and we shall march
+toward Bath speedily! Let high gallows be up raised, and bring here
+the hostages before our knights, and they shall hang on high trees!"
+There he caused to be destroyed four-and-twenty children, Alemainish
+men of very noble race.
+
+Then came tidings to Arthur the king, that Howel, his relation, was
+sick lying in Clud--therefore he was sorry--and there he left him.
+Forth he gan to push exceeding hastily, until he beside Bath
+approached to a plain; there he alighted, and all his knights; and on
+with their burnies the stern men, and he in five divisions separated
+his army.
+
+When he had duly set all, and it all beseemed, then he put on his
+burny, fashioned of steel, that an elvish smith made, with his
+excellent craft; he was named Wygar, the witty wright. His shanks he
+covered with hose of steel. Caliburn, his sword, he hung by his side;
+it was wrought in Avalon, with magic craft. A helm he set on his head,
+high of steel; thereon was many gemstone, all encompassed with gold;
+it was Uther's, the noble king's; it was named Goswhit, each other
+unlike. He hung on his neck a precious shield; its name was in British
+called Pridwen; therein was engraved with red gold tracings a precious
+image of God's mother. His spear he took in hand, that was named Ron.
+When he had all his weeds, then leapt he on his steed. Then might he
+behold, who stood beside, the fairest knight, that ever host should
+lead; never saw any man better knight none, than Arthur he was,
+noblest of race! Then called Arthur with loud voice: "Lo! where here
+before us the heathen hounds, who slew our ancestors with their wicked
+crafts; and they are to us in land loathest of all things. Now march
+we to them, and starkly lay on them, and avenge worthily our kindred,
+and our realm, and avenge the mickle shame by which they have
+disgraced us, that they over the waves should have come to Dartmouth.
+And all they are forsworn, and all they shall be destroyed; they shall
+be all put to death, with the Lord's assistance! March we now forward,
+fast together, even all as softly as if we thought no evil; and when
+we come to them, myself I will commence; foremost of all the fight I
+will begin. Now we shall ride, and over the land glide; and no man on
+pain of his life make noise, but fare quickly; the Lord us aid!" Then
+Arthur the rich man gan to ride; he proceeded over the weald, and Bath
+would seek.
+
+The tiding came to Childric, the strong and the rich, that Arthur came
+with host all ready to fight. Childric and his brave men leapt them to
+horse, and grasped their weapons--they knew themselves to be hateful!
+
+Arthur saw this, noblest of kings; he saw a heathen earl advance
+against him, with seven hundred knights, all ready to fight. The earl
+himself approached before all his troop, and Arthur himself rode
+before all his host. Arthur the bold took Ron in hand; he extended
+(couched) the stark shaft, the stiff-minded king; his horse he let
+run, so that all the earth dinned. His shield he drew to his breast--
+the king was incensed--he smote Borel the earl throughout the breast,
+so that the heart sundered. And the king called anon, "The foremost is
+dead! Now help us the Lord, and the heavenly queen, who the Lord
+bore!" Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Now to them! now to
+them! The commencement is well done!" The Britons laid on them, as men
+should do on the wicked; they gave bitter strokes with axes and with
+swords. There fell of Childric's men full two thousand, so that never
+Arthur lost ever one of his men; there were the Saxish men of all folk
+most wretched, and the Alemainish men most miserable of all people!
+Arthur with his sword wrought destruction; all that he smote at, it
+was soon destroyed! The king was all enraged as is the wild boar, when
+he in the beech-wood meeteth many swine. Childric saw this, and gan
+him to turn, and bent him over the Avon, to save himself. And Arthur
+approached to him, as if it were a lion, and drove them to the flood,
+there many were slain; they sunk to the bottom five-and-twenty
+hundred, so that all Avon's stream was bridged with steel! Childric
+over the water fled, with fifteen hundred knights; he thought forth to
+push, and sail over the sea. Arthur saw Colgrim climb to the mount,
+retreat to the hill that standeth over Bath; and Baldulf went after
+him, with seven thousand knights; they thought on the hill to
+withstand nobly, defend them with weapons, and do injury to Arthur.
+
+When Arthur saw, noblest of kings, where Colgrim withstood, and eke
+battle wrought, then called the king, keenly loud: "My bold thanes,
+advance to the hills! For yesterday was Colgrim of all men keenest,
+but now it is to him all as to the goat, where he guards the hill;
+high upon the hill he fighteth with horns, when the wild wolf
+approacheth toward him. Though the wolf be alone, without each herd,
+and there were in a fold five hundred goats, the wolf to them goeth,
+and all them biteth. So will I now to-day Colgrim all destroy; I am
+the wolf and he is the goat; the man shall die!" The yet called
+Arthur, noblest of kings: "Yesterday was Baldulf of all knights
+boldest, but now he standeth on the hill, and beholdeth the Avon, how
+the steel fishes lie in the stream! Armed with sword, their life is
+destroyed; their scales float like gold-dyed shields; there float
+their fins, as if it were spears. These are marvellous things come to
+this land; such beasts on the hill, such fishes in the stream!
+Yesterday was the kaiser keenest of all kings; now is he become a
+hunter, and horns him follow; he flieth over the broad weald; his
+hounds bark; he hath beside Bath his hunting deserted; from his deer
+he flieth, and we it shall fell, and his bold threats bring to nought;
+and so we shall enjoy our rights gained." Even with the words that the
+king said, he drew his shield high before his breast; he grasped his
+long spear, his horse he gan spur. Nigh all so swift as the fowl
+flieth, five-and-twenty thousand of brave men, mad under arms,
+followed the king; they proceeded to the hill with great strength, and
+smote upon Colgrim with exceeding smart strokes. And Colgrim them
+there received, and felled the Britons to ground; in the foremost
+attack fell five hundred.
+
+Arthur saw that, noblest of kings, and wrathed him wondrously much,
+and thus gan to call Arthur, the noble man: "Where be ye, Britons, my
+bold men! Here stand before us our foes all chosen; my good warriors,
+lay we them to the ground!" Arthur grasped his sword right, and he
+smote a Saxish knight, so that the sword that was so good at the teeth
+stopt; and he smote another, who was this knight's brother, so that
+his helm and his head fell to the ground, the third blow he soon gave,
+and a knight in two clave. Then were the Britons greatly emboldened,
+and laid on the Saxons laws (blows) most strong with their long spears
+and with swords most strong; so that the Saxons there fell, and made
+their death-time, by hundreds and hundreds sank to the ground, by
+thousands and thousands fell there ever on the ground! When Colgrim
+saw where Arthur came toward him, Colgrim might not for the
+slaughtered flee on any side; there fought Baldulf beside his brother.
+Then called Arthur with loud voice: "Here I come, Colgrim! to the
+realm we two shall reach; now we shall divide this land, as shall be
+to thee loathest of all!" Even with the words that the king said, his
+broad sword he up heaved, and hardily down struck, and smote Colgrim's
+helm, so that he clove it in the midst, and clove asunder the burny's
+hood, so that it (the sword) stopt at the breast. And he smote toward
+Baldulf with his left hand, and struck off the head, forth with the
+helm.
+
+Then laughed Arthur, the noble king, and thus gan to speak with
+gameful words: "Lie thou there, Colgrim; thou wert climbed too high;
+and Baldulf, thy brother, he by thy side; now set I all this kingdom
+in your own hands; dales and downs, and all my good folk! Thou climbed
+on this hill wondrously high, as if thou wouldst ascend to heaven; but
+now thou shalt to hell, and there thou mayest know much of thy
+kindred. And greet thou there Hengest, that was fairest of knights,
+Ebissa, and Ossa, Octa, and more of thy kin, and bid them there dwell
+winter and summer; and we shall here in land live in bliss, pray for
+your souls, that happiness never come to them; and here shall your
+yones lie, beside Bath!"
+
+Arthur, the king, called Cador, the keen;--of Cornwall he was earl,
+the knight was most keen:--"Hearken to me, Cador, thou art mine own
+kin. Now is Childric flown, and awayward gone; he thinketh with safety
+again to come hither. But take of my host five thousand men, and go
+forth-right, by day and by night, until thou come to the sea, before
+Childric; and all that thou mayest win, possess it with joy; and if
+thou mayest with evil kill there the kaiser, I will give thee all
+Dorset to meed." All as the noble king these words had said, Cador
+sprang to horse, as spark it doth from fire; full seven thousand
+followed the earl. Cador the keen, and much of his kindred, proceeded
+over wealds, and over wilderness, over dales and over downs, and over
+deep waters. Cador knew the way that toward his country lay, by the
+nearest he proceeded full surely right toward Totnes, day and night,
+until he came there forth-right, so that Childric never knew any
+manner of his coming. Cador came to the country before Childric, and
+caused to advance before him all the folk of the land, churls full
+sagacious, with clubs exceeding great, with spears and with great
+staves, chosen for the purpose, and placed them all clean into the
+ships' holds, and ordered them there to stoop low, that Childric were
+not aware of them, and when his folk came, and in would climb, to
+grasp their bats, and bravely on smite; with their staves and with
+their spears to murder Childric's host. The churls did all, as Cador
+them taught. To the ships proceeded the valiant churls; in every ship
+a hundred and half. And Cador the keen withdrew, in toward a wood
+high, five miles from the place where the ships stood, and hid him a
+while, wondrously still. And Childric soon approached, over the weald,
+and would flee to the ships, and push from land. So soon as Cador saw
+this, who was the earl keen, that Childric was in land, between him
+and the churls, then called Cador, with loud voice: "Where be ye,
+knights, brave men and active? Bethink ye what Arthur, who is our
+noble king, at Bath besought us, ere we went from the host. Lo! where
+Childric wendeth, and will flee from the land, and thinketh to pass to
+Alemaine, where his ancestors are, and will obtain an army, and eft
+come hither, and will fare in hither; and thinketh to avenge Colgrim,
+and Baldulf, his brother, who rest at Bath. But he never shall abide
+the day, he shall not, if we may prevent him!"
+
+Even with the speech, that the powerful earl spake, and promptly he
+gan ride, that was stern in mood, the warriors most keen advanced out
+of the wood-shaw, and after Childric pursued, the strong and the rich
+Childric's knights looked behind them; they saw over the weald the
+standards wind, approach over the fields five thousand shields. Then
+became Childric careful in heart, and these words said the powerful
+kaiser: "This is Arthur the king, who will us all kill, flee we now
+quickly, and into ship go, and voyage forth with the water, reck we
+never whither!" When Childric the kaiser had said these words, then
+gan he to flee exceeding quickly, and Cador the keen came soon after
+him. Childric and his knights came to ship forthright; they weened to
+shove the strong ships from the land. The churls with their bats were
+there within, the bats they up heaved, and adown right swung, there
+was soon slain many a knight with their clubs; with their pitch-forks
+they felled them to ground, and Cador and his knights slew them
+behind. Then saw Childric, that it befell to them evilly; that all his
+mickle folk fell to the ground, now saw he there beside a hill
+exceeding great, the water floweth there under, that is named Teine,
+the hill is named Teinewic, thitherward fled Childric, as quickly as
+he might, with four-and-twenty knights. Then Cador saw, how it then
+fared there, that the kaiser fled, and toward the hill retreated, and
+Cador pursued after him, as speedily as he might, and came up to him,
+and overtook him soon. Then said Cador, the earl most keen: "Abide,
+abide, Childric! I will give thee Teinewic!" Cador heaved up his
+sword, and he Childric slew. Many that there fled, to the water they
+drew, in Teine the water, there they perished; Cador killed all that
+he found alive; and some they crept into the wood, and all he them
+there destroyed. When Cador had overcome them all, and eke all the
+land taken, he set peace most good, that thereafter long stood, though
+each man bare in hand rings of gold, durst never any man greet another
+evilly.
+
+Arthur was forth marched into Scotland; for Howel lay in Clud, fast
+inclosed. The Scots had besieged him with their wicked crafts, and if
+Arthur were not the earlier come, then were Howel taken, and all his
+folk there slain, and deprived of life day. But Arthur came soon, with
+good strength, and the Scots gan to flee far from the land, into
+Moray, with a mickle host. And Cador came to Scotland, where he Arthur
+found. Arthur and Cador proceeded into Clud, and found Howel there,
+with great bliss in health, of all his sickness whole he was become;
+great was the bliss that then was in the burgh! The Scots were in
+Moray, and there thought to dwell, and with their bold words made
+their boast, and said that they would rule the realm, and Arthur there
+abide, with bold strength, for Arthur durst never for his life come
+there. When Arthur heard, void of fear, what the Scots had said with
+their scornful words, then said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where art
+thou, Howel, highest of my kindred, and Cador the keen, out of
+Cornwall? Let the trumpets blow, and assemble our host, and at the
+midnight we shall march forth right toward Moray, our honour to win.
+If the Lord will it, who shaped the daylight, we shall them tell
+sorrowful tales, and fell their boast, and themselves kill." At the
+midnight Arthur forth-right arose; horns men gan to blow with loud
+sound; knights gan arise, and stern words to speak. With a great army
+he marched into Moray; forth gan press thirteen thousand in the
+foremost flock, men exceeding keen. Afterwards came Cador, the Earl of
+Cornwall, with seventeen thousand good thanes. Next came Howel, with
+his champions exceeding well, with one-and-twenty thousand noble
+champions. Then came Arthur himself, noblest of kings; with
+seven-and-twenty thousand followed them afterward; the shields there
+glistened, and light it gan to dawn.
+
+The tidings came to the Scots, there where they dwelt, how Arthur the
+king came toward their land, exceeding quickly, with innumerable folk.
+Then were they fearfullest, who ere were boldest, and gan to flee
+exceeding quickly into the water, where wonders are enow! That is a
+marvellous lake, set in middle-earth, with fen, and with reed, and
+with water exceeding broad; with fish, and with fowl, with evil
+things! The water is immeasurably broad; nikers therein bathe; there
+is play of elves in the hideous pool. Sixty islands are in the long
+water; in each of the islands is a rock high and strong; there nest
+eagles, and other great fowls. The eagles have a law by every king's
+day; whensoever any army cometh to the country, then fly the fowls far
+into the sky, many hundred thousands, and mickle fight make. Then is
+the folk without doubt, that sorrow is to come to them from people of
+some kind, that will seek the land. Two days or three thus shall this
+token be, ere foreign men approach to the land. Yet there is a
+marvellous thing to say of the water; there falleth in the lake, on
+many a side, from dales and from downs, and from deep valleys, sixty
+streams, all there collected; yet never out of the lake any man
+findeth that thereout they flow, except a small brook at one end, that
+from the lake falleth, and wendeth very stilly into the sea. The Scots
+were dispersed with much misery, over all the many mounts that were in
+the water. And Arthur sought ships, and gan to enter them; and slew
+there without number, many and enow; and many a thousand there was
+dead, because all bread failed them. Arthur the noble was on the east
+side; Howel the good was on the south half; and Cador the keen guarded
+them by the north; and his inferior folk he set all by the west side.
+Then were the Scots accounted for sots, where they lay around the
+cliffs, fast inclosed; there were sixty thousand with sorrow
+destroyed.
+
+Then was come into haven the King of Ireland; twelve miles from
+Arthur, where he lay with an army, to help the Scots, and Howel to
+destroy. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and took one host of
+his, and thitherward marched; and found the King Gillomar, who was
+come there to land. And Arthur fought with him, and would give him no
+peace (quarter), and felled the Irish men exceedingly to the ground.
+And Gillomar with twelve ships departed from the land, and proceeded
+to Ireland, with harm most strong. And Arthur in the land slew all
+that he found; and afterwards he went to the lake, where he left his
+relation Howel the fair, noblest of Britain, except Arthur, noblest of
+kings. Arthur found Howel, where he was by the haven, by the broad
+lake, where he had abode. Then rejoiced greatly the folk in the host,
+of Arthur's arrival, and of his noble deeds; there was Arthur
+forth-right, two days and two nights. The Scots lay over the rocks,
+many thousands dead, with hunger destroyed, most miserable of all
+folk!
+
+On the third day, it gan to dawn fair; then came toward the host all
+that were hooded, and three wise bishops, in book well learned;
+priests and monks, many without number; canons there came, many and
+good, with all the reliques that were noblest in the land, and yearned
+Arthur's peace, and his compassion. Thither came the women, that dwelt
+in the land; they carried in their arms their miserable children; they
+wept before Arthur wondrously much, and their fair hair threw to the
+earth; cut off their locks, and there down laid at the king's feet,
+before all his people; set their nails to their face, so that
+afterwards it bled. They were naked nigh (nearly) all clean; and
+sorrowfully they gan to call to Arthur the king, and together thus
+said, where they were in affliction: "King, we are on earth most
+wretched of all folk; we yearn thy mercy, through the mild God! Thou
+hast in this land our people slain, with hunger and with strife, and
+with many kind of harms; with weapon, with water, and with many
+mischiefs our children made fatherless and deprived of comfort. Thou
+art a Christian man, and we are also; the Saxish men are heathen
+hounds. They came to this land, and this folk here killed; if we
+obeyed them, that was because of our harm, for we had no man that
+might accord us with them. They did us much woe, and thou dost to us
+also; the heathens us hate, and the Christians make us sorrowful;--
+whereto and what shall become of us!"--quoth the women to the king.
+"Give us yet the men alive, who lie over these rocks; and if thou
+givest grace to this multitude, thy honour will be the greater, now
+and evermore. Lord Arthur our king, loosen our bonds! Thou has taken
+(conquered) all this land, and all this folk is overcome; we are under
+thy foot; in thee is all the remedy."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of kings; this weeping and this lament, and
+immoderate sorrow; then took he to counsel, and had pity in heart; he
+found in his counsel to do what they him prayed, he gave them life, he
+gave them limb, and their land to hold. He caused the trumpets to be
+blown, and the Scots to be summoned; and they came out of the rocks to
+the ships; on every side approached toward land. They were greatly
+harmed by the sharp hunger; and oaths they swore, that they would not
+deceive; and they then gave hostages to the king, and all full soon
+became the king's men. And then they gan depart; the folk there
+separated, each man to the end, where he was dwelling, and Arthur
+there set peace, good with the best.
+
+Then said Arthur: "Where art thou, Howel, my relation, dearest of men
+to me? Seest thou this great lake, where the Scots are harmed, seest
+thou these high trees, and seest thou these eagles fly? In this fen is
+fish innumerable. Seest thou these islands, that stand over this
+water?" Marvellous it seemed to Howel, of such a sight, and he
+wondered greatly by the water-flood, and thus there spake Howel, of
+noble race: "Since I was born man of my mother's bosom, saw I in no
+land things thus wonderful, as I here before me behold with eyes!" The
+Britons wondered wondrously much. Then spake Arthur, noblest of kings:
+"Howel, mine own relative, dearest to me of men, listen to my words,
+of a much greater wonder that I will tell to thee in my sooth speech.
+By this lake's end, where this water floweth, is a certain little
+lake, to the wonder of men! It is in length four-and-sixty palms; it
+is in measure in breadth five-and-twenty feet; five feet it is deep,
+elves it dug! Four-cornered it is, and therein is fish of four kinds,
+and each fish in his end where he findeth his kind, may there none go
+to other, except all as belongeth to his kind. Was never any man born,
+nor of so wise craft chosen, live he ever so long, that may understand
+it, what letteth (hindereth) the fish to swim to the others; for there
+is nought between but water clean!" The yet spake Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Howel, in this land's end, nigh the sea-strand, is a lake
+exceeding great--the water is evil--and when the sea floweth, as if it
+would rage, and falleth in the lake exceeding quickly, the lake is
+never the more increased in water. But when the sea falleth in (ebbs),
+and the ground becomes fair, and in it is all in its old seat, then
+swelleth the lake, and the waves darken; out the waves there leap,
+exceeding great, flow out on the land, and the people soon terrify. If
+any man cometh there, that knoweth nought thereof, to behold the
+marvel by the sea strand, if he turneth his face toward the lake, be
+he nought (never) so low born, full well he shall be saved, the water
+glideth him beside, and the man there remaineth easy, after his will
+he dwelleth there full still, so that he is not because of the water
+anything injured!" Then said Howel, noble man of Brittany: "Now I hear
+tell a wonderful story, and marvellous is the Lord that it all made!"
+
+Then said Arthur, noblest of kings. "Blow ye my horns with loud noise,
+and say ye to my knights, that I will march forth-right." Trumpets
+there were blown, horns there resounded; bliss was in the host with
+the busy king, for each was solaced, and proceeded toward his land.
+And the king forbade them, by their bare life, that no man in the
+world should be so mad, nor person so unwise, that he should break his
+peace; and if any man did it, he should suffer doom. Even with the
+words the army marched, there sung warriors marvellous songs of Arthur
+the king, and of his chieftains, and said in song, to this world's end
+never more would be such a king as Arthur, through all things, king
+nor caiser, in ever any realm!
+
+Arthur proceeded to York, with folk very surprising (numerous), and
+dwelt there six weeks with much joy. The burgh walls were broken and
+fallen down, that Childric all consumed, and the halls all clean. Then
+called the king a distinguished priest, Pirai,--he was an exceeding
+wise man, and learned in book:--"Pirai, thou art mine own priest, the
+easier it shall be for thee." The king took a rood, holy and most
+good, and gave to Pirai in hand, and therewith very much land, and the
+archbishop's staff he there gave to Pirai;--ere was Pirai a good
+priest, now is he archbishop! Then bade him Arthur, noblest of kings,
+that he should arear churches, and restore the hymns, and take charge
+of God's folk, and rule them fair. And he bade all his knights to deem
+right (just) dooms, and the earth-tillers to take to their craft, and
+every man to greet other. And what man soever did worse than the king
+had ordered, he would drive him to a bare burning, and if it were a
+base man, he should for that hang. The yet spake Arthur, noblest of
+kings, ordered that each man who had lost his land by whatsoever kind
+of punishment he were bereaved, that he should come again, full
+quickly and full soon--the rich and the low--and should have eft his
+own, unless he were so foully conditioned, that he were traitor to his
+lord, or toward his lord forsworn, whom the king should deem lost
+(beyond the limit of pardon). There came three brethren, that were
+royally born, Loth, and Angel, and Urien;--well are such three men!
+These three chieftains came to the king, and set on their knees before
+the caiser:--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings, and thy people
+with thee; ever may they well be! We are three brethren, born of
+kings. All our rightful land is gone out of our hand; for the heathen
+men have made us poor, and wasted us all Leoneis, Scotland, and Moray.
+And we pray thee, for God's love, that thou be to us in aid, and for
+thy great honour, that thou be mild to us, and give us our rightful
+land; and we shall love thee, and hold thee for lord, in each
+land-wise." Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, how these three
+knights fair besought him; he had compassion in heart, and began
+speak, and said these words--best of all kings:--"Urien, become my
+man; thou shalt to Moray again; thereof thou shalt be called king of
+the land, and high in my court (or host), with thy forces. And to
+Angel I set in hand Scotland altogether; to have it in hand, and be
+king of the land, from the father to the son; thereof thou shalt my
+man become. And thou, Loth, my dear friend--God be to thee mild!--thou
+hast my sister to wife; the better it shall be for thee. I give thee
+Leoneis, that is a land fair; and I will lay (add) thereto lands most
+good, beside the Humber, worth an hundred pounds. For my father Uther,
+the while that he was king here, loved well his daughter, who was his
+desire esteemed; and she is my sister, and sons she hath twain; they
+are to me in land dearest of all children." Thus spake Arthur the
+king. Then was Walwain a little child; so was the other, Modred his
+brother. But alas! that Modred was born; much harm therefore came!
+Arthur proceeded to London, and with him his people; he held in the
+land a mickle husting, and established all the laws that stood in his
+elders' days; all the good laws that era here stood; he set peace, he
+set protection, and all freedoms.
+
+From thence he marched to Cornwall, to Cador's territory; he found
+there a maid extremely fair. This maiden's mother was of Romanish men,
+Cador's relative; and the maid Cador on him bestowed, and he received
+her fair, and softly her fed. She was of noble race, of Romanish men;
+was in no land any maid so fair, of speech and of deeds, and of
+manners most good; she was named Wenhaver, fairest of women. Arthur
+took her to wife, and loved her wondrously much; this maiden he gan
+wed, and took her to his bed. Arthur was in Cornwall all the winter
+there; and all for Wenhaver's love, dearest of women to him.
+
+When the winter was gone, and summer came there anon, Arthur bethought
+him what he might do, that his good folk should not lie there inert.
+He marched to Exeter, at the midfeast (St. John Baptist?), and held
+there his husting of his noble folk, and said that he would go into
+Ireland, and win all the kingdom to his own hand; unless the King
+Gillomar the sooner came ere to him, and spake with him with good
+will, and yearned Arthur's peace, he would waste his land, and go to
+him evilly in hand, with fire and with steel work hostile game, and
+the land-folk slay, who would stand against him. Even with the words
+that the king said, then answered the folk, fair to the king: "Lord
+king, hold thy word, for we are all ready, to go and to ride over all
+at thy need." There was many a bold Briton that had boar's glances;
+heaved up their brows, enraged in their thought. They went toward
+their inns, knights with their men: they got ready burnies, prepared
+helms, they wiped their dear horses with linen cloths; they sheared,
+they shod--the men were bold! Some shaped (or shaved) horn; some
+shaped bone; some prepared steel darts; some made thongs, good and
+very strong; some bent spears, and made ready shields. Arthur caused
+to be bidden over all his kingdom, that every good knight should come
+to him forth-right, and every brave man should come forth-right anon;
+and whoso should remain behind, his limbs he should lose, and whoso
+should come gladly, he should become rich.
+
+Seven nights after Easter, when men had fasted, then came all the
+knights to ship forth-right; the wind stood to them in hand
+(favourably), that drove them to Ireland. Arthur marched in the land,
+and the people destroyed; much folk he there slew, and he took cattle
+enow; and ever he ordered each man church-peace to hold. The tiding
+came to the king, who was lord of the land, that Arthur the king was
+come there, and much harm there wrought. He assembled all his people,
+over his kingdom; and his Irish folk marched to the fight, against
+Arthur the noble king. Arthur and his knights they weaponed them
+forth-right, and advanced against them, a numerous folk. Arthur's men
+were with arms all covered, the Irish men were nearly naked, with
+spears and with axes, and with saexes exceeding sharp. Arthur's men let
+fly at them numerous darts, and killed the Irish folk; and greatly it
+felled; they might not this sustain, through any kind of thing, but
+fled away quickly, very many thousands. And Gillomar the king fled,
+and awayward drew, and Arthur pursued after him, and caught the king;
+he took by the hand the king of the land.
+
+Arthur the noble sought lodging; in his mood it was the easier to him,
+that Gillomar was so nigh him. Now did Arthur, noblest of kings, very
+great friendship before all his folk, he caused the king to be clothed
+with each pride (richly), and eke by Arthur he sate, and eke with
+himself ate; with Arthur he drank wine--that to mm was mickle unthank.
+Nevertheless when he saw that Arthur was most glad, then said Gillomar
+to him--in his heart he was sore: "Lord Arthur, thy peace! Give me limb
+and give me life, and I will become thy man, and deliver thee my three
+sons, my dear sons, to do all thy will. And yet I will do more, if
+thou wilt give me grace; I will deliver thee hostages exceeding rich,
+children some sixty, noble and most mighty. And yet I will more, if
+thou givest me grace; each year of my land seven thousand pounds, and
+send them to thy land, and sixty marks of gold. And yet I will more,
+if thou wilt give me grace; and all the steeds, with all their
+trappings, the hawks, and the hounds, and my rich treasures I give
+thee in hand, of all my land. And when thou hast this done, I will
+take the reliques of Saint Columkille, who did God's will, and Saint
+Brandan's head, that God himself hallowed, and Saint Bride's right
+foot, that is holy and most good, and reliques enow, that came out of
+Rome, and swear to thee in sooth, that I will thee not deceive; but I
+will love thee, and hold thee for lord, hold thee for high king, and
+myself be thy underling."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and he gan laugh with loud voice,
+and he gan answer with gracious words: "Be now glad, Gillomar; be not
+thy heart sore; for thou art a wise man--the better therefore shall it
+be to thee, for ever one ought worthily a wise man to greet,--for thy
+wisdom shall it not be the worse for thee, much thou me offerest, the
+better it shall be to thee. Here forth right, before all my knights, I
+forgive thee the more, all the half-part, of gold and of treasure; but
+thou shalt become my man, and half the tribute send each year into my
+land. Half the steeds, and half the weeds (garments), half the hawks,
+and half the hounds, that thou me offerest, I will relinquish to thee,
+but I will have the children of thy noble men, who are to them dearest
+of all; I may the better believe thee. And so thou shalt dwell in thy
+honour in thy kingdom, in thy right territory; and I will give to
+thee, that the king shall not do wrong to thee, unless he pay for it
+with his bare back!" Thus it said Arthur, noblest of kings. Then had
+he all Ireland all together in his own hand, and the king became his
+man, and delivered him his three sons.
+
+Then spake Arthur to his good knights: "Go we to Iceland, and take we
+it in our hand." The host there marched, and to Iceland came. The king
+was named AElcus, high man of the land, he heard the tiding of Arthur
+the king; he did all as a wiseman, and marched against him anon; anon
+forth-right, with sixteen knights; he bare in his hand a mickle wand
+(sceptre) of gold. So soon as he saw Arthur, he bent him on his knees,
+and quoth these words to him--the king was afraid:--"Welcome, sir
+Arthur! welcome, lord' Here I deliver thee in hand all together
+Iceland, thou shalt be my high king, and I will be thy underling. I
+will obey thee, as man shall do his master, and I will become here thy
+man, and deliver thee my dear son, who is named Escol; and thou shalt
+him honour (or reward), and dub him to knight, as thine own man. His
+mother I have to wife, the king's choice daughter of Russia. And eke
+each year I will give thee money, seven thousand pounds of silver and
+gold, and in every counsel be ready at thy need. This I will swear to
+thee, upon my sword; the relique is in the hilt, the noblest of this
+land; like as me shall like, will I never be false to thee!"
+
+Arthur heard this noblest of kings. Arthur was winsome where he had
+his will, and he was exceeding stern with his enemies. Arthur heard
+the mild words of the monarch; he granted him all that he yearned;
+hostages and oaths, and all his proffers. Then heard say sooth words
+the King of Orkney, exceeding keen, who was named Gonwais, a heathen
+warrior, that Arthur the king would come to his land; with a mickle
+fleet sail to his country. Gonwais proceeded towards him, with his
+wise thanes, and set to Arthur in hand all Orkney's land, and
+two-and-thirty islands, that thither in heth, and his homage, with
+much reverence. And he had (made) to him in covenant, before all his
+people, each year to wit, full sixty ships at his own cost to bring
+them to London, filled truly with good sea-fish. This covenant he
+confirmed, and hostages he found, and oaths he swore good, that he
+would not deceive. And afterwards he took leave, and forth he gan
+wend:--"Lord, have well good day! I will come when I may, for now thou
+art my lord, dearest of all kings." When Arthur had done this, the yet
+he would more undertake; he took his good writs, and sent to Gutlond;
+and greeted the King Doldanim, and bade him soon come to him, and
+himself become his man, and bring with him his two sons.--"And if thou
+wilt not that, do what thou wilt, and I will send thee sixteen
+thousand noble warriors, to thy mickle harm, who shall waste thy land,
+and slay thy people, and set the land as to them best seemeth, and
+thyself bind, and to me bring." The king heard this, the threat of the
+kaiser, and he speedily took his fair weeds, hounds and hawks, and his
+good horses, much silver, much gold; his two sons in his hand. And
+forth he gan wend to Arthur the king, and said these words Doldanim
+the good: "Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings' Here I bring twain,
+my sons both; their mother is of king's race, she is mine own queen; I
+won her with spoil, out of Russia. Here I deliver thee my dear sons,
+and myself I will become thy man. And I will send thee tribute of my
+land, every year as thin? bestowed, I will send thee into London seven
+thousand pounds. That I will swear, that I will never be false, but
+here I will become thy man--thy honour is the greater--so long as is
+ever, I will deceive thee never!"
+
+Arthur took his messengers, and sent to Winetland, to Rumareth the
+king, and bade him know in haste, that he had in his hand Britain and
+Scotland, Gutland and Ireland, Orcany and Iceland. He ordered Rumareth
+to come, and bring him his eldest son; and if he would not do that, he
+would drive him from land, and if he might him capture, he would slay
+him or hang, and destroy all his land, his people exterminate.
+Rumareth heard this, the rich King of Winet; greatly he was afraid,
+all as the others were ere; loath to him were the tidings from Arthur
+the king. Nevertheless the King Rumareth hearkened counsels; he took
+his eldest son, and twelve good earls, and proceeded to Arthur the
+noble king, and sate at his feet, and gan him fair greet: "Hail be
+thou, Arthur, noblest of Britons' I hight Rumareth, the King of
+Winetland, enow I have heard declared of thy valour; that thou art
+wide known, keenest of all kings. Thou hast won many kingdom all to
+thine own hand, there is no king in land that may thee withstand, king
+nor kaiser, in ever any combat; of all that thou beginnest, thou dost
+thy will. Here am I to thee come, and brought thee my eldest son; here
+I set thee in hand myself and my kingdom, and my dear son, and all my
+people, my wife and my weeds, and all my possessions, on condition
+that thou give me protection against thy fierce attacks. And be thou
+my high king, and I will be thy underling, and send thee to hand five
+hundred pounds of gold; these gifts I will thee find, every year."
+
+Arthur granted him all that the king yearned, and afterwards he held
+communing with his good thanes, and said that he would return again
+into this land, and see Wenhaver, the comely queen of the country.
+Trumpets he caused to be blown, and his army to assemble; and to ship
+marched the thanes wondrous blithe. The wind still stood them at will;
+weather as they would; blithe they were all therefore; up they came to
+Grumesby. That heard soon the highest of this land, and to the queen
+came tiding of Arthur the king, that he was come in safety, and his
+folk in prosperity. Then were in Britain joys enow! Here was fiddling
+and song, here was harping among, pipes and trumps sang there merrily.
+Poets there sung of Arthur the king, and of the great honour, that he
+had won. Folk came in concourse of many kind of land; wide and far the
+folk was in prosperity. All that Arthur saw, all it submitted to him,
+rich men and poor, as the hail that falleth; was there no Briton so
+wretched, that he was not enriched!
+
+Here man may tell of Arthur the king, how he afterwards dwelt here
+twelve years, in peace and in amity, in all fairness. No man fought
+with him, nor made he any strife; might never any man bethink of bliss
+that were greater in any country than in this; might never man know
+any so mickle joy, as was with Arthur, and with his folk here!
+
+I may say how it happened, wondrous though it seem. It was on a
+yule-day, that Arthur lay in London; then were come to him men of all
+his kingdoms, of Britain, of Scotland, of Ireland, of Iceland, and of
+all the lands that Arthur had in hand; and all the highest thanes,
+with horses and with swains. There were come seven kings' sons, with
+seven hundred knights; without the folk that obeyed Arthur. Each had
+in heart proud thoughts, and esteemed that he were better than his
+companion. The folk was of many a land; there was mickle envy; for the
+one accounted himself high, the other much higher. Then blew men the
+trumpets, and spread the tables; water men brought on floor, with
+golden bowls; next soft clothes, all of white silk. Then sate Arthur
+down, and by him Wenhaver the queen; next sate the earls, and
+thereafter the barons; next the knights, all as men them disposed. And
+the high-born men bare the meat even forth-right then to the knights;
+then toward the thanes, then toward the swains, then toward the
+porters, forth at the board. The people became angered, and blows
+there were rife; at first they threw the loaves, the while that they
+lasted, and the silver bowls, filled with wine, and afterwards with
+the fists approached to necks. Then leapt there forth a young man, who
+came out of Winetland; he was given to Arthur to hold as hostage; he
+was Rumareth's son, the King of Winet. Thus said the knight there to
+Arthur the king: "Lord Arthur, go quickly into thy chamber, and thy
+queen with thee, and thy known relatives, and we shall decide this
+combat against these foreign warriors." Even with the words he leapt
+to the board where lay the knives before the sovereign; three knives
+he grasped, and with the one he smote the knight in the neck, that
+first began the same fight, so that his head on the floor fell to the
+ground. Soon he slew another, this same thane's brother; ere the
+swords came, seven he felled. There was fight exceeding great; each
+man smote other; there was much blood shed, mischief was among the
+folk!
+
+Then approached the king out of his chamber; with him an hundred
+nobles, with helms and with burnies; each bare in his right hand a
+white steel brand. Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Sit ye, sit
+ye quickly, each man on his life! And whoso will not that do, he shall
+be put to death. Take ye me the same man, that this fight first began,
+and put withy on his neck, and draw him to a moor, and put him in a
+low fen, there he shall lie. And take ye all his dearest kin, that ye
+may find, and strike off the heads of them with your broad swords, the
+women that ye may find of his nearest kindred, carve ye off their
+noses, and let their beauty go to destruction; and so I will all
+destroy the race that he of came. And if I evermore subsequently hear,
+that any of my folk, of high or of low, eft arear strife on account of
+this same slaughter, there shall ransom him neither gold nor any
+treasure, fine horse nor war-garment, that he should not be dead, or
+with horses drawn in pieces--that is of each traitor the law! Bring ye
+the reliques, and I will swear thereon; and so, knights, shall ye,
+that were at this fight, earls and barons, that ye will not it break."
+First swore Arthur, noblest of kings; then swore earls, then swore
+barons; then swore thanes, then swore swains, that they nevermore the
+strife would arear. Men took all the dead, and carried them to
+burial-place. Afterwards men blew the trumpets, with noise exceeding
+merry; were he lief, were he loath, each there took water and cloth,
+and then sate down reconciled to the board, all for Arthur's dread,
+noblest of kings. Cupbearers there thronged, gleemen there sung; harps
+gan resound, the people was in joy. Thus full seven nights was all the
+folk treated.
+
+Afterwards it saith in the tale, that the king went to Cornwall; there
+came to him anon one that was a crafty workman, and met the king, and
+fair him greeted:--"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings' I am thine
+own man; through many land I have gone; I know of tree-works
+(carpentry) wondrous many crafts. I heard say beyond the sea new
+tidings, that thy knights gan to fight at thy board, on a midwinter's
+day many there fell; for their mickle mood wrought murderous play, and
+for their high lineage each would be within. But I will thee work a
+board exceeding fair, that thereat may sit sixteen hundred and more,
+all turn about, so that none be without; without and within, man
+against man. And when thou wilt ride, with thee thou mightest it
+carry, and set it where thou wilt, after thy will, and then thou
+needest never fear, to the world's end, that ever any moody knight at
+thy board may make fight, for there shall the high be even with the
+low." Timber was caused to be brought, and the board to be begun; in
+four weeks' time the work was completed.
+
+At a high day the folk was assembled, and Arthur himself approached
+soon to the board, and ordered all his knights to the board
+forth-right. When all were seated, knights to their meat, then spake
+each with other, as if it were his brother; all they sate about; was
+there none without. Every sort of knight was there exceeding well
+disposed, all they were one by one (seated), the high and the low,
+might none there boast of other kind of drink other than his comrades,
+that were at the board. This was the same board that Britons boast of,
+and say many sorts of leasing, respecting Arthur the king. So doth
+every man, that another can love; if he is to him too dear, then will
+he lie, and say of him more honour than he is worth; no man is he so
+wicked, that his friend will not act well to him. Eft if among folk
+enmity areareth, in ever any time between two men, men can say leasing
+of the hateful one, though he were the best man that ever ate at
+board, the man that to him were loath, he can him last find! It is not
+all sooth nor all falsehood that minstrels sing; but this is the sooth
+respecting Arthur the king. Was never ere such king, so doughty
+through all things! For the sooth stands in the writings how it is
+befallen, from beginning to the end, of Arthur the king, no more nor
+less but as his laws (or acts) were.
+
+But Britons loved him greatly, and oft of him lie, and say many things
+respecting Arthur the king that never was transacted in this
+worlds-realm! Enow may he say, who the sooth will frame, marvellous
+things respecting Arthur the king. Then was Arthur most high, his folk
+most fair, so that there was no knight well esteemed, nor of his
+manners (or deeds) much assured, in Wales nor in England, in Scotland
+nor in Ireland, in Normandy nor in France, in Flanders nor in Denmark,
+nor in ever any land, that on this side of Muntgiu standeth, that were
+esteemed good knight, nor his deeds accounted (brave or aught), unless
+he could discourse of Arthur, and of his noble court, his weapons, and
+his garments, and his horsemen, say and sing of Arthur the young, and
+of his strong knights, and of their great might, and of their wealth,
+and how well it them became. Then were he welcome in this
+worlds-realm, come whereso he came, and though he were at Rome, all
+that heard of Arthur tell, it seemed to them great marvel of the good
+king!
+
+And so it was foreboded, ere he were born; so said him Merlin, that
+was a prophet great, that a king should come of Uther Pendragon, that
+gleemen should make a board of this king's breast, and thereto should
+sit poets most good, and eat their will, ere they thence departed, and
+wine-draughts out draw from this king's tongue, and drink and revel
+day and night; this game should last them to the world's end.
+
+And yet said him Merlin more that was to come, that all that he looked
+on to his feet to him should bow. The yet said him Merlin, a marvel
+that was greater, that there should be immoderate care (sorrow) at
+this king's departure. And of this king's end will no Briton believe
+it, except it be the last death, at the great doom, when our Lord
+judgeth all folk. Else we cannot deem of Arthur's death, for he
+himself said to his good Britons, south in Cornwall, where Walwain was
+slain, and himself was wounded wondrously much, that he would fare
+into Avalon, into the island, to Argante the fair, for she would with
+balm heal his wounds,--and when he were all whole, he would soon come
+to them. This believed the Britons, that he will thus come, and look
+ever when he shall come to his land, as he promised them, ere he hence
+went.
+
+Arthur was in the world wise king and powerful, good man and peaceful,
+his men him loved. Knights he had proud, and great in their mood, and
+they spake to the king of marvellous thing, and thus the assemblage
+said to the high king: "Lord Arthur, go we to the realm of France, and
+win all the land to thine own hand, drive away all the French, and
+their king slay; all the castles occupy, and set (garrison) them with
+Britons, and rule in the realm with fierce strength" Then answered
+Arthur, noblest of kings "Your will I will do, but ere (previously) I
+will go to Norway, and I will lead with me Loth my brother-in-law, he
+who is Walwain's father, whom I well love. For new tidings are come
+from Norway, that Sichelm the king is there dead, his people has left,
+and he hath ere bequeathed all his kingdom to Loth. For the king is of
+all bereaved, son and eke daughter, and Loth is his sister's son--the
+better to him shall it befall--for I will make him new king in Norway,
+and well instruct him to govern well the people. And when I have done
+thus, I will afterwards come home, and get ready my army, and pass
+into France, and if the king withstandeth me, and will not yearn my
+peace, I will fell him with fight to the ground"
+
+Arthur caused to be blown horns and trumpets, and caused to be
+summoned to the sea the Britons most bold. Ships he had good by the
+sea-flood, fifteen hundred pushed from the land, and flew along the
+sea, as if they had flight (wings), and bent their course into Norway,
+with bold strength. So soon as they came, they took haven, with mickle
+strength they stept (disembarked) on the realm Arthur sent his
+messengers wide over the land, and ordered them to come soon, and have
+Loth for king, and if they would not that, he would slay them all.
+Then they took their messengers, the Norwegian earls, and sent to the
+king, and bade him back go--"And if thou wilt not depart, thou shalt
+have here sorrow and care; for so long as is ever, that shall never
+come to pass, that we shall raise a foreign man for king. For if
+Sichelm is departed (dead), here are others choice, whom we may by our
+will raise to be king. And this is the sooth; there is no other,
+either move thee awayward, and turn thee right homeward, either to-day
+a se'nnight, thou shalt have great fight."
+
+The Norwegian earls betook them to counsel, that a king they would
+have of their own race, for all Sichelm's words they held to be
+folly.--"And so long as is ever, it shall not ever stand! But we shall
+take Riculf, who is an earl exceeding powerful, and raise him to be
+king--this is to us pleasing--and assemble our forces over all this
+country, and march towards Arthur, and defeat him with fight, and Loth
+we shall chase, and drive from land, or else we shall fell him with
+fight." They took Riculf, the Earl of Norway, and raised him to be
+king, though it were not to him by right, and they assembled their
+host over Norway's land. And Arthur on his part, over the land gan
+march; the land he through passed, and the burghs he consumed, goods
+he took enow, and much folk he there slew. And Riculf gan him ride
+against Arthur anon; together they came, and fight they began. The
+Britons advanced to them--woe there was rife! Swords exceeding long
+they plucked out of sheath; heads flew on the field, faces paled; man
+against man set shaft to breast; burnies there brake; the Britons were
+busy, shivered shields, warriors there fell! And so all the daylight
+lasted this great fight; moved they east, moved they west, there was
+it the worse to the Norwegians; moved they south, moved they north the
+Norwegians there fell. The Britons were bold, the Norwegians they
+killed; the Norwegian men there fell, five-and-twenty thousand, and
+Riculf the king was there slain, and deprived of life day; little
+there remained of the folk; whoso had the wretched life, they yearned
+Arthur's peace. Arthur looked on Loth, who was to him well dear, and
+thus gan to him to call, Arthur the rich man: "Loth, wend hither to
+me, thou art my dear relative. Here I give to thee all this kingdom;
+of me thou shalt it hold, and have me for protector."
+
+Then was Walwain thither come, Loth's eldest son; from the pope of
+Rome, who was named Supplice, who long had him brought up, and made
+him knight. Full well was it bestowed, that Walwain was born to be
+man, for Walwain was full noble-minded, in each virtue he was good; he
+was liberal, and knight with the best. All Arthur's folk was greatly
+emboldened, for Walwain the keen, that was come to the host; and for
+his father Loth, who was chosen to be king. Then spake Arthur with
+him, and bade him hold good peace, and bade him love his peaceful
+people, and those that would not hold peace, to fell them to ground.
+
+The yet called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons?
+March ye now forth-right; prepare ye by the flood my good ships." All
+did the knights as Arthur them ordered. When the ships were ready,
+Arthur gan to the sea fare; with him he took his knights, his
+Norwegian thanes, and his bold Britons, and proceeded forth with the
+waves; and the doughty king came into Denmark; he caused his tents to
+be pitched, wide over the fields; trumpets he caused to be blown, and
+his coming to be announced.
+
+Then was in Denmark a king of much might; he was named AEscil, the
+highest over the Danes; he saw that Arthur won all that was to him in
+will. AEscil the king bethought him what he might do; loath it was to
+him to lose his dear people. He saw that with strength he might not
+stand against Arthur, with ever any combat. He sent greeting to Arthur
+the king; hounds and hawks, and horses exceeding good; silver and red
+gold, with prudent words. And yet he did more, AEscil the great; he
+sent to the highest of Arthur's folk, and prayed them to intercede for
+him with the noble king; that he might his man become, and deliver his
+son for hostage, and each year send him tribute of his land, a boat of
+gold and of treasure, and of rich garments, filled from the top to the
+bottom, in safety. And afterwards he would swear, that he would not
+prove false. Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, that AEscil, King of
+the Danes, would be his underling, without any fight, he and all his
+knights. Then was gladdened Arthur the rich, and thus answered with
+mild words: "Well worth the man, that with wisdom obtaineth to him
+peace and amity, and friendship to hold! When he seeth that he is
+bound with strength, and his dear realm ready all to destruction, with
+art he must slacken his odious bonds." Arthur ordered the king to
+come, and bring his eldest son; and he so did soon, the King of
+Denmark. Arthur's will soon he gan to fulfill; together they came, and
+were reconciled.
+
+The yet said Arthur, noblest of kings: "Fare I will to France, with my
+mickle host. I will have of Norway nine thousand knights; and of
+Denmark I will lead nine thousand of the people; and of Orkney eleven
+hundred; and of Moray three thousand men; and of Galloway five
+thousand of the folk; and of Ireland eleven thousand, and of Britain
+my knights bold shall march before me, thirty thousand; and of Gutland
+I will lead ten thousand of the people; and of Frisland five thousand
+men; and of Little Britain Howel the bold, and with such folk France I
+will seek. And as I expect God's mercy, yet I will promise more; that
+of all the lands, that stand in my hand, I will order each brave man,
+that can bear his weapons, as he would wish to live, and have his
+limbs, that he go with me, to fight with Frolle, who is King of the
+French--slain he shall be!--he was born in Rome, of Romanish kin."
+Forth proceeded Arthur, until he came to Flanders, the land he gan
+conquer, and set it with his men. And next he marched thence, into
+Boulogne, and all Boulogne's land took it in his own hand.
+
+And afterwards he took the way that in toward France lay. Then bade he
+his command to all his men, that fare wheresoever they should fare,
+they should take no whit, unless they might it obtain with right; with
+just purchase, in the king's host. Frolle heard that, where he was in
+France, of Arthur's speed (success), and of all his deeds; and how he
+all won that he looked on, and how it all to him submitted that he saw
+with eyes, then was the King Frolle horribly afraid! At the same time
+that this was transacted, the land of the French was named Gaul; and
+Frolle was from Rome come into France, and each year sent tribute of
+the land, ten hundred pounds of silver and of gold. Now heard Frolle,
+who was chief of France, of the great sorrow that Arthur did in the
+land. He sent messengers soon the nearest way toward Rome, and bade
+the Romanish folk advise them between, how many thousand knights they
+thither would send, that he might the easier fight with Arthur, and
+drive from the land Arthur the strong. Knights gan to ride out of
+Rome-land; five-and-twenty thousand proceeded toward France. Frolle
+heard this, with his mickle host, that the Romanish folk rode toward
+the land. Frolle and his host marched against them, so that they came
+together, keen men and brave, of all the earth an immense force.
+
+Arthur heard that, noblest of kings, and assembled his army, and
+advanced against them. But never was there any king, that was alive on
+earth, that ever ere on land such folk (multitude) commanded; for from
+all the kingdoms that Arthur had in hand, forth he led with him all
+the keenest men, so that he knew never in the world how many thousands
+there were. So soon as they came together, Arthur and Frolle; hardily
+they greeted all that they met. Knights most strong grasped long
+spears, and rushed them together, with fierce strength. All day there
+were blows most rife; the folk fell to ground, and wrought
+destruction; the angry warriors sought the grass-bed; the helms
+resounded, murmured earls; shields there shivered, warriors gan fall.
+Then called Arthur, noblest of kings: "Where be ye, my Britons, my
+bold thanes? The day it forth goeth; this folk against us standeth.
+Cause we to glide to them sharp darts enow, and teach them to ride the
+way toward Rome!" Even with the words that Arthur then said, he sprang
+forth on steed, as spark doth of fire. Fifty thousand were following
+him; the hardy warriors rushed to the fight, and smote upon Frolle,
+where he was in the flock, and brought him to flight, with his mickle
+folk; there slew Arthur much folk and innumerable.
+
+Then fled into Paris Frolle the powerful, and fastened the gates, with
+grief enow; and these words said, sorrowful in heart: "Liefer were it
+to me, that I were not born!" Then were in Paris grievous speeches,
+full surely, sorrowful cries; burghmen gan to tremble; the walls they
+gan repair, the gates they gan to form; meat they took, all that they
+came nigh; on each side they carried it to the burgh; thither came
+they all, that held with Frolle. Arthur heard that, noblest of kings,
+that Frolle dwelt in Paris, with an immense force, and said that he
+would Arthur withstand. To Paris marched Arthur, of fear void, and
+belay the walls, and areared his tents; on four sides he belay it (the
+city), four weeks and a day. The people that were there within were
+sore afraid, the burgh was within filled with men; and they ate soon
+the meat that was there gathered.
+
+When four weeks were gone, that Arthur was there stationed, then was
+in the burgh sorrow extreme, with the wretched folk that lay there in
+hunger, there was weeping, there was lament, and distress great. They
+called to Frolle, and bade him make peace; become Arthur's man, and
+his own honour enjoy, and hold the kingdom of Arthur the keen; and let
+not the wretched folk perish all with hunger. Then answered
+Frolle--free he was in heart:--"Nay, so help me God, that all dooms
+wieldeth, shall I never his man become, nor he my sovereign! Myself I
+will fight; in God is all the right!"
+
+The yet spake Frolle, free man in heart: "Nay, so help me the Lord
+that shaped the daylight, will I nevermore yearn Arthur's grace; but
+fight I will, without any knight's aid, body against body, before my
+people; hand against hand, with Arthur the king! Whetherso of us is
+the weaker, soon he will be the leather; whetherso of us there may
+live, to his friends he will be the liefer; and whether of us that may
+of the other obtain the better (superiority), have he all this other's
+land, and set it in his own hand. This I will yearn, if Arthur will it
+grant; and this I will swear upon my sword. And hostages I will find,
+three kings' sons, that I will hold firmly this covenant; that I will
+it not violate, by my quick life! For liefer it is to me to lie dead,
+before my people, than that I should see them on the ground perish
+with hunger. For we have with fight destroyed our knights--men felled
+fifty thousand; and many a good woman have made miserable widow, many
+a child fatherless, and bereaved of comfort; and now this folk with
+hunger have wondrously harmed. It is better therefore betwixt
+ourselves to deal and to dispose of this kingdom with fight; and have
+it the better man, and possess it in joy!" Frolle took twelve knights,
+with these words forth-right, and sent them in message to Arthur the
+king, to know if he would hold this covenant, and with his own hand
+win the kingdom, or lie dead before, to the harm of his people; and if
+he it won, should have it in his power.
+
+Arthur heard that, noblest of kings; was he never so blithe ere in his
+life, for the tiding liked to him from Frolle the king; and these
+words said Arthur the good: "Well saith Frolle, who is King of France;
+better it is that we two contest this realm, than there should be
+slain our brave thanes. This covenant I approve, before my people, at
+an appointed day to do what he me biddeth; that shall be to-morrow,
+before our men, that fight we shall by ourselves, and fall the worst
+of us! And whether (which) of us that goeth aback, and this fight will
+forsake, be he in each land proclaimed for a recreant! Then may men
+sing of one such king, that his brag (or threat) hath made, and his
+knighthood forsaken!"
+
+Frolle heard that, who was King of France, that Arthur would fight
+himself, without any knight. Strong man was Frolle, and stark man in
+mood; and his boast he had made, before all his people, and he might
+not for much shame disgrace himself; quit his bold bragging that he
+had said in the burgh. But said he whatever he said, in sooth he it
+weened, that Arthur would it forsake, and no whit take to (accept) the
+fight. For if Frolle, who was King in France, had it known, that
+Arthur would grant him that he had yearned, he would not have done it
+for a shipful of gold! Nevertheless was Frolle to the fight exceeding
+keen; tall knight and strong man, and moody in heart; and said that he
+would hold the day, in the island that with water is surrounded--the
+island standeth full truly in the burgh of Paris.--"There I will with
+fight obtain my rights, with shield, and with steel, and with knight's
+weed; now to-morrow is the day; have it he that may it win!"
+
+The tiding came to Arthur the king, that Frolle would with fight win
+France; was he never so blithe ere in his life! And he gan to laugh,
+with loud voice; and said these words Arthur the keen: "Now I know
+that Frolle will with me fight, to-morrow in the day, as he himself
+determined, in the island that with water is surrounded; for it
+becometh a king, that his word should stand. Let the trumpets blow,
+and bid my men, that every good man watch to-night for that, and pray
+our Lord, that all dooms wieldeth, that he preserve me from Frolle the
+fierce, and with his right hand protect me from disgrace. And if I may
+obtain this kingdom to mine own hand, every poor man the easier shall
+be, and work I will the great God's will! Now aid me thereto that all
+things may well do; the high heavenly king stand me in help; for him I
+will love (or praise), the while that I live!"
+
+There was all the long night songs and candle-light; loudly sung
+clerks holy psalms of God. When it was day on the morrow, people gan
+to stir. His weapons he took in hand, Arthur the strong; he threw on
+his back a garment most precious, a cheisil shirt, and a cloth kirtle;
+a burny exceeding precious, embroidered of steel. He set on his head a
+good helm; to his side he suspended his word Caliburn; his legs he
+covered with hose of steel, and placed on his feet spurs most good.
+The king with his weeds leapt on his steed; men reached to him a good
+shield; it was all clean of elephant's bone (ivory). Men gave him in
+hand a strong shaft; there was at the end a spear most fair; it was
+made in Caermarthen by a smith that hight Griffin; Uther it possessed,
+who was ere king here. When that the stern man was weaponed, then gan
+he to advance; then might he behold, who were there beside, the mighty
+king ride boldly; since this world was made, was it nowhere told, that
+ever any man so fair rode upon horse, as Arthur he was, son of Uther!
+Bold chieftains rode after the king; in the foremost flock forty
+hundred, noble warriors, clad in steel, bold Britons, busy with
+weapon. After that marched fifty hundred, that Walwain led, who was a
+bold champion. Afterwards there gan out follow sixty thousand Britons
+most bold; that was the rearward. There was the King Angel; there was
+Loth and Urine; there was Urine's son, named Ywain; there was Kay and
+Beduer, and commanded the host there; there was the King Howel, noble
+man of Britanny; Cador there was eke, who was keen in flock; there was
+from Ireland Gillomar the strong; there was Gonwais the king, Orkney's
+darling; there was Doldanim the keen, out of Gothland, and Rumaret the
+strong, out of Winet-land; there was Aescil the king, Denmark's
+darling. Folk there was on foot, so many thousand men, that was never
+a man in this worlds-realm so wise, that might tell the thousands, in
+ever any speech, unless he had with right wisdom of the Lord, or
+unless he had with him what Merlin he had.
+
+Arthur forth gan march, with innumerable folk; until he came full
+surely unto the burgh of Paris; on the west side of the water, with
+his mickle folk. On the east side was Frolle, with his great force,
+ready to the fight, before all his knights. Arthur took a good boat,
+and went therein, with shield and with steed, and with all his weeds
+(armour); and he shoved the strong ship from the land, and stept upon
+the island, and led his steed in his hand; his men that brought him
+there, as the king commanded, let the boat drive forth with the waves.
+
+Frolle went into ship; the king was uneasy that he ever thought with
+Arthur to fight. He proceeded to the island, with his good weapons; he
+stept upon the island, and drew his steed after him; the men that
+brought him there, as the king commanded them, let the boat drive
+forth with the waves; and the two kings alone there remained.
+
+Then men might behold, that were there beside, the folk on the land,
+exceedingly afraid; they climbed upon halls, they climbed upon walls;
+they climbed upon bowers, they climbed upon towers, to behold the
+combat of the two kings. Arthur's men prayed with much humility to God
+the good, and the holy his mother, that their lord might have there
+victory; and the others eke prayed for their king. Arthur stept in
+steel saddlebow, and leapt on his steed; and Frolle with his weeds
+leapt also on his steed; the one at his end, in the island, and the
+other at his end, in the island; they couched their shafts, the royal
+knights; they urged their steeds--good knights they were. Never was he
+found in ever any land, any man so wise, that should know it ere that
+time, whether (which) of the kings should lie overcome; for both they
+were keen knights, brave men and active, mickle men in might, and in
+force exceeding strong. They made ready their steeds; and together
+they gan ride; rushed fiercely, so that fire sprang after them! Arthur
+smote Frolle with might excessive strong, upon the high shield, so
+that it fell to the ground; and the steed that was good leapt out in
+the flood. Arthur out with his sword--mischief was on the point--and
+struck upon Frolle, where he was in the flood, ere their combat were
+come to the end. But Frolle with his hand grasped his long spear, and
+observed Arthur anon, as he came nigh, and smote the bold steed in the
+breast, so that the spear pierced through, and Arthur down drove. Then
+arose the multitudes' clamour, that the earth dinned again, the welkin
+resounded for shout of the folk. There would the Britons over the
+water pass, if Arthur had not started up very quickly, and grasped his
+good shield, adorned with gold, and against Frolle, with hostile
+glances cast before his breast his good broad shield. And Frolle to
+him rushed with his fierce assault, and up heaved his sword, and
+struck down right, and smote upon Arthur's shield, so that it fell on
+the field; the helm on his head, and his mail gan to give way, in
+front of his head; and he received a wound four inches long;--it
+seemed not to him sore, for it was no more;--the blood ran down over
+all his breast. Arthur was enraged greatly in his heart, and his sword
+Caliburne swung with main, and smote Frolle upon the helm, so that it
+parted in two; throughout the burnyshood, so that at his breast it
+(the sword) stopt. Then fell Frolle to the ground; upon the grass-bed
+his ghost he left. Then laughed the Britons, with loud voice; and
+people gan to fly exceeding quickly.
+
+Arthur the powerful went to land, and thus gan to call, noblest of
+kings: "Where art thou, Walwain, dearest of men to me? Command these
+Rome-men all with peace to depart hence; each man enjoy his home, as
+God granteth it him; order each man to hold peace, upon pain of limb
+and upon life; and I will it order to-day a se'nnight; command this
+folk then to march all together, and come to myself--the better it
+shall be for them. They shall perform homage to me with honour, and I
+will hold them in my sovereignty, and set laws most good among the
+people. For now shall the Romanish laws fall to the ground, that
+before stood here with Frolle, who lieth slain in the island, and
+deprived of life-day. Hereafter full soon shall his kindred of Rome
+hear tidings of Arthur the king, for I will speak with them, and break
+down Rome walls, and remind them how King Belin led the Britons in
+thither, and won to him all the lands that stand unto Rome."
+
+Arthur proceeded to the gate, before the burgh wise men that took
+charge of the burgh, came, and let Arthur within, with all his men;
+delivered to him the halls, delivered to him the castles; delivered to
+him, full surely, all the burgh of Paris--there was mickle bliss with
+the British folk! The day came to burgh, that Arthur had set; came all
+the populace, and his men became. Arthur took his folk, and divided
+them in two; and the half part gave to Howel, and bade him march soon,
+with the mickle host, with the British men to conquer lands.
+
+Howel did all thus as Arthur him bade; he conquered Berry, and all the
+lands thereby; Anjou and Touraine, Alverne and Gascony, and all the
+havens that belonged to the lands. Guitard hight the duke, who
+possessed Poitou; he would not submit to Howel, but held ever against
+him; he would ask no peace, but Howel fought with him; oft he felled
+the folk, and oft he made flight. Howel wasted all the land, and slew
+the people. When Guitard saw, who was lord in Poitou, that all his
+people went him to loss, with Howel he made peace, with all his host,
+and became Arthur's man, the noble king. Arthur became gracious to
+him, and loved him greatly, and bade him enjoy his land, for (because)
+he bowed to his feet;--then had Howel nobly succeeded!
+
+Arthur had France, and freely it settled; he took then his host, and
+marched over all the territory; to Burgundy he proceeded, and set it
+in his hand; and afterwards he gan fare into Loraine, and all the
+lands set to himself in hand, all that Arthur saw, all it submitted to
+him; and afterwards he went, full truly, again home to Pans.
+
+When Arthur had France established with good peace, settled and
+composed, so that prosperity was among the folk, then ordered he the
+old knights, that he had long retained, that they should come to the
+king, and receive their reward; for they many years had been his
+companions. To some he gave land, some silver and gold; to some he
+gave castles, some he gave clothes; bade them go in joy, and amend
+their sins; forbade them to bear weapon, because age upon them went,
+and bade them love God greatly in this life, that he at the end, full
+surely, might give them his paradise, that they might enjoy bliss with
+the angels. All the old knights proceeded to their land, and the young
+remained with their dear king. All the nine years Arthur dwelt there;
+nine years he held France freely in hand, and afterwards no longer the
+land he governed.
+
+But the while that the kingdom stood in Arthur's hand, marvellous
+things came to the folk; many proud man Arthur made mild, and many a
+high man he held at his feet! It was on an Easter, that men had
+fasted, that Arthur on Easter-day had his noble men together; all the
+highest persons that belonged to France, and of all the lands that lay
+thither in; there he gave his knights all their rights; to each one he
+gave possessions, as he had earned. Thus quoth him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Kay, look thee hitherward; thou art mine highest steward; here
+I give thee Anjou, for thy good deeds, and all the rights that thither
+in are set. Kneel to me, Beduer; thou art my highest cup-bearer here;
+the while that I am alive, love thee I will. Here I give thee
+Neustrie, nearest to my realm." Then hight Neustrie the land that now
+hight Normandy. The same two earls were Arthur's dear men, at counsel
+and at communing, in every place. The yet said him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "Wend thee hither, Howeldin; thou art my man and my kin; have
+thou Boulogne, and possess it in prosperity. Come near, Borel; thou
+art knight wise and wary; here I deliver thee the Mans, with honour,
+and possess thou it in prosperity, for thy good deeds." Thus Arthur
+the king dealt his lordly lands, after their actions; for he thought
+them to be worthy. Then were blithe speeches in Arthur's halls; there
+was harping and song, there were blisses among!
+
+When Easter was gone, and April went from town, and the grass was
+rife, and the water was calm, and men gan to say that May was in town,
+Arthur took his fair folk, and proceeded to the sea, and caused his
+ships to be assembled, well with the best; and sailed to this land,
+and came up at London; up he came at London, to the bliss of the
+people. All it was blithe that saw him with eyes; soon they gan to
+sing of Arthur the king, and of the great worship that he had won
+There kissed father the son, and said to him welcome; daughter the
+mother, brother the other; sister kissed sister; the softer it was to
+them in heart. In many hundred places folk stood by the way, asking of
+things of many kind; and the knights told them of their conquests, and
+made their boast of mickle booty. Might no man say, were he man ever
+so skilled, of half the blisses that were with the Britons! Each fared
+at his need over this kingdom, from burgh to burgh, with great bliss;
+and thus it a time stood in the same wise--bliss was in Britain with
+the bold king.
+
+When Easter was gone, and summer come to land, then took Arthur his
+counsel, with his noble men, that he would in Kaerleon bear on him his
+crown, and on Whitsunday his folk there assemble. In those days men
+gan deem, that no burgh so fair was in any land, nor so widely known
+as Kaerleon by Usk, unless it were the rich burgh that is named Rome.
+The yet many a man was with the king in land, that pronounced the
+burgh of Kaerleon richer than Rome, and that Usk were the best of all
+waters. Meadows there were broad, beside the burgh; there was fish,
+there was fowl, and fairness enow; there was wood and wild deer,
+wondrous many; there was all the mirth that any man might think of.
+But never since Arthur thither came, the burgh afterwards thrived, nor
+ever may, between this and dooms-day. Some books say certainly that
+the burgh was bewitched, and that is well seen, sooth that it be. In
+the burgh were two minsters exceeding noble; one minster was of Saint
+Aaron; therein was mickle relique; the other of the martyr Saint
+Julian, who is high with the Lord; therein were nuns good, many a high
+born woman.
+
+The bishop's stool was at Saint Aaron; therein was many a good man;
+canons there were, who known were wide; there was many a good clerk,
+who well could (were well skilled) in learning. Much they used the
+craft to look in the sky; to look in the stars, nigh and far;--the
+craft is named Astronomy. Well often they said of many things to the
+king; they made known to him what should happen to him in the land.
+Such was the burgh of Kaerleon; there was much wealth; there was much
+bliss with the busy king.
+
+The king took his messengers, and sent over his land; bade come earls;
+bade come barons; bade come kings, and eke chieftains; bade come
+bishops, bade come knights; bade all the free men that ever were in
+the land; by their life he bade them be at Kaerleon on Whitsunday.
+Knights gan to ride exceeding wide, rode toward Kaerleon from lands of
+many kind. At the Whitsunday there came the King Angel, King of
+Scotland, with his fair folk; many was the fair man that followed the
+king. Of Moray King Urien, and his fair son Ywam; Stater, King of
+South Wales, and Cadwal, the King of North Wales; Cador, Earl of
+Cornwall, whom the king loved; Morvith of Gloucester; Maurm of
+Winchester; Gurguint, Earl of Hereford, and Beof, Earl of Oxford;
+Cursal the bold, from Bath there came riding; Urgent of Chester;
+Jonathas of Dorchester; Arnalf of Salisbury, and Kinmare of
+Canterbury; Bahen of Silchester; Wigen of Leicester; Argal, Earl of
+Warwick, with folk exceeding strange (or numerous); Dunwale, son of
+Apnes, and Kegem, son of Elauth; Kineus, that was Coit's son, and
+Cradoc, Catel's son, AEdlem, Cledauk's son; Grimarc, Kinmark's son;
+Run, Margoit, and Netan; Clofard, Kincar, and Aican; Kenn, Neton, and
+Peredur; Madoc, Trahern, and Elidur. These were Arthur's noble earls,
+and the highest thanes brave of all this land, without (besides) the
+nobles of Arthur's board, that no man might ken, nor all the folk
+name. Then were archbishops three in this country; in London, and in
+York; and in Kaerleon, Saint Dubrich--he was a man exceeding holy,
+through all things excellent! At London lay the archbishop's stool,
+that to Canterbury was subsequently removed, after that Englishmen had
+won to them this land.
+
+To tell the folk of Kaerleon, no man might it do! There was Gillomar
+the king, of Irish men the darling; Malverus, King of Iceland;
+Doldanet, King of Gutland; Kinkalin of Frisland; and AEscil, King of
+Denmark. There was Loth the keen, who was king by the North; and
+Gonwais, King of Orkney, of outlaws the darling. Thither came the
+fierce man, the Earl of Boulogne, who was named Laeyer, and his people
+with him; of Flanders the Earl Howeldin; of Chartres the Earl Geryn.
+This man brought with him all the French men; twelve earls most noble,
+who ruled over France. Guitard, Earl of Poitiers; Kay, Earl of Angers;
+Bedver, Earl of Normandy--the land then hight Neustne;--of the Mans
+came the Earl Borel; of Britanny the Earl Howel. Howel the earl was
+free man, and fair were his weeds. And all the French folk were
+clothed fair, all well weaponed, and horses they had fat. There were
+besides fifteen bishops. Was there no knight nor any swain, nor good
+man that were thane, from the ports of Spain to the towns of Alemaine,
+that thither would not have come, if he were (had been) invited; all
+for Arthur's dread, of noble race. When all this folk was come; each
+king with his people, there men might behold, who were there beside,
+many a strange man, who was come to the burgh, and many kind of
+tidings (novelties) with Arthur the king There was many a marvellous
+cloth (garment); there was many a wrath knight; there were lodgings
+nobly prepared; there were the inns, built with strength; there were
+on the fields many thousand tents; there came lard and wheat, and oats
+without measure; may no man say it in his tale, of the wine and of the
+ale; there came hay, there came grass; there came all that was good!
+
+When all this folk was assembled by the good king, when the Whitsunday
+came, as the Lord it sent, then came all the bishops before their
+king, and the archbishops three, before Arthur; and took the crown,
+that was to him by right, and set upon his head with great bliss; so
+they gan him lead, all with God's counsel. Saint Dubrich went before--
+he was to Christ chosen;--the Archbishop of London walked on his right
+hand, and by his left side the same of York. Fifteen bishops went
+before, of many lands chosen; they were all clothed with garments most
+rich, that were all embroidered with burning gold. There walked four
+kings before the kaiser; they bare in their hands four swords of gold.
+Thus hight the one, who was a most doughty man, that was Cador the
+king, Arthur's darling; the second of Scotland, he bare sword in hand;
+and the King of North Wales and the King of South Wales.
+
+And thus they gan lead the king to church; the bishops gan sing before
+the monarch, trumpets there blew; bells there rung; knights gan ride,
+women forth glide. In certainty it is said, and sooth it is found,
+that no man ever ere saw here with earthly men half so great pomp, in
+ever any assembly, as was with Arthur, of noble race.
+
+Into church came Arthur the rich man; Dubrich the archbishop--the Lord
+was to him full good; of Rome he was legate, and prelate of the
+people--he sang the holy mass before the monarch. Came with the queen
+women fair; all wives of the rich men that dwelt in the land, and
+daughters of the noble men the queen had sought (or selected), all as
+the queen had ordered, on pain of their paying full penalty. In the
+church, in the south half, sate Arthur the king himself; by the north
+side Wenhaver the queen. There came before her four chosen queens;
+each bare in the left hand a jewel of red gold, and three snow-white
+doves sate on their shoulders; who were the four queens, wives of the
+kings who bare in their hands the four swords of gold before Arthur,
+noblest of kings. There was many a maid-child with the noble queen;
+there was many a rich garment on the fair folk; there was mickle envy
+from land of many kind; for each weened to be better than other. Many
+knights anon came to the church; some for gain; some for the king;
+some to behold the women that were noble. Songs there were merry, that
+lasted very long; I ween if it had lasted seven years, the yet they
+would more, that were thereat. When the mass was sung, from church
+they thronged; the king with his folk went to his meat, with his
+mickle folk--joy was among the people. The queen on the other side
+sought her lodging; she had of women wondrous many.
+
+When the king was set, with his men to his meat, to the king came the
+bishop Saint Dubrich, who was so good, and took from his head his rich
+crown; on account of the mickle gold the king would not it bear; and
+placed a less crown on the king's head; and afterwards he gan do to
+the queen also (likewise). In Troy this was the custom in their
+elders' days, of whom Brutus came, who were excellent men; all the men
+at their meat sate asunder by themselves, that to them seemed well
+done; and also the women their station had.
+
+When the king was set with all his people to his meat, earls and
+barons, at the king's board, then came stepping the steward, who was
+named Kay, highest knight in land under the king, of all the
+assemblage of Arthur's folk. Kay had before him many a noble man
+chosen; there were a thousand bold knights wondrous well told, that
+served the king and his chiefs; each knight had a cloth on, and
+adorned with gold, and all their fingers covered with gold rings.
+These bare the things sent from the kitchen to the king. On the other
+side was Beduer, the king's high cup-bearer, with him were earls' sons
+of noble race born, and the noble knights' sons, who were thither
+come; and seven kings' sons, that with him moved. Beduer went
+foremost, with golden bowl; after him a thousand pressed towards the
+folk, with drink of all the kinds that men could think of. And the
+queen at her end, women most fair attended; a thousand walked before
+her, rich and well choice, to serve the queen, and them that were with
+her.
+
+Was he never born, of any man chosen, clerk nor layman, in ever any
+land, that could tell it in speech of any kind, of half the wealth
+that was in Kaerleon, of silver and of gold, and good weeds; of high
+born men that dwelt among the folk; of horses, and of hawks, of hounds
+for deer, and of rich weeds, that were among the people. And of all
+the folk that dwelt there in land, the folk of this land was accounted
+the fairest of people, and also the women, comely in hue, and most
+nobly clothed, and best of all educated. For they all had in
+declaration, by their quick lives, that they would have their clothes
+of one hue. Some had white, some had red; some had eke good green; and
+variegated cloth of each kind was to them wondrous odious; and each
+ill-usage they accounted unworthy.
+
+Then had English land the best fame of all; and this country-folk eke
+was dearest to the king. The high born women that dwelt in this land
+had all declared in their sooth words, that none would take lord
+(husband) in this land, never any knight, were he nought (never) so
+well formed, unless he were thrice tried in combat, and his courage
+made known, and himself approved; then might he boldly ask him a
+bride. For that usage the knights were brave, the women excellent, and
+the better behaved; then were in Britain blisses enow.
+
+When the king had eaten, and all his people, then proceeded out of the
+burgh the thanes most bold; all the kings, and their chieftains; all
+the bishops, and all the clerks; all the earls, and all the barons;
+all the thanes, and all the swains, fairly clad, spread over the
+fields. Some they gan to ride; some they gan to race, some they gan to
+leap, some they gan to shoot, some they wrestled, and contest made;
+some they in the field played under shield; some they drove balls wide
+over the fields. Games of many a kind there they gan to play; and
+whoso might win honour of his game, men lead him with song before the
+sovereign, and the king for his game gave him gifts good. All the
+queens, that there were come, and all the ladies, leaned over the
+walls, to behold the people, and the folk play. This lasted three
+days, such games and such plays.
+
+Then on the fourth day, the king gan to speak, and gave his good
+knights all their rights; he gave silver, he gave gold; he gave
+horses, he gave land; castles eke and clothes; his men he
+pleased--there was many a bold Briton before Arthur. But now came to
+the king new tidings! Arthur the bold king sate at a board; before him
+sate kings, and many chieftains; bishops and clerks, and knights most
+brave.
+
+There came into the hall marvellous tales!--there came twelve thanes
+bold, clad with pall; noble warriors, noble men with weapon; each had
+on hand a great ring of gold, and with a band of gold each had his
+head encircled. Ever two and two walked together; each with his hand
+held his companion; and glided over the floor, before Arthur, so long
+that they came before Arthur, the sovereign. They greeted Arthur anon
+with their noble words: "Hail be thou, Arthur king, darling of
+Britons; and hail be thy people, and all thy lordly folk! We are
+twelve knights come here forthright, rich and noble; we are from Rome.
+Hither we are come from our emperor, who is named Luces, who ruleth
+Rome-people. He commanded us to proceed hither, to Arthur the king,
+and bade thee to be greeted with his grim words, and saith that he is
+astonished, wondrously much, where thou tookest the mood in this
+middle-earth, that thou darest of Rome oppose any doom (will), or
+heave up thine eyes against our ancestors; and who dared it thee to
+counsel, that thou art so doughty become, that thou darest threaten
+the lord of dooms, Luces, the emperor, highest of men alive! Thou
+boldest all thy kingdom in thine own hand, and wilt not serve the
+emperor of the land; of the same land that Julius had in hand, who in
+former days won it with fight; and thou it hast retained in thy power;
+and with thy bold knights deprivest us of our rights. But say us,
+Arthur, soon, and send word to Rome; we shall thine errand bear to
+Luces our emperor, if thou wilt acknowledge that he is king over thee,
+and if thou wilt his man become, and acknowledge him for lord, and do
+right to the emperor on account of Frolle the king, whom thou slewest
+with wrong at Paris, and now holdest all his land with un-right in thy
+hand. If thou within these twelve weeks turn to the right, and if thou
+wilt of Rome any doom suffer, then mightest thou live, among thy
+people. And if thou wilt not do so, thou shalt receive worse, for the
+emperor will come here, as king shall to his own, king most keen; and
+take thee with strength, lead thee bound before Rome-folk;--then must
+thou suffer what thou erst despisedest!"
+
+At these words the Britons leapt from the board; there was Arthur's
+court exceedingly enraged; and swore mickle oath, upon our mighty
+Lord, that they all were (should be) dead, who this errand bare; with
+horses drawn in pieces, death they should suffer. There leapt towards
+them the Britons exceeding wrath; tore them by the hair, and laid them
+to the ground. There were (would have been) the Romanish men pitifully
+treated, if Arthur had not leapt to them, as if it were a lion; and
+said these words--wisest of all Britons!--"Leave ye, leave quickly
+these knights alive! They shall not in my court suffer any harm; they
+are hither ridden out of Rome, as their lord commanded them, who is
+named Luces. Each man must go where his lord biddeth him go; no man
+ought to sentence a messenger to death, unless he were so evilly
+behaved, that he were traitor of his lord. But sit ye down still,
+knights in hall; and I will me counsel of such need, what word they
+shall bear to Luces the emperor."
+
+Then sate all down, the folk on their benches, and the clamour ceased
+before the monarch. Then stood him up Arthur, noblest of kings, and he
+called to him seven sons of kings, earls and barons, and those that
+were boldest, and all the wisest men that dwelt in the folk, and went
+into a house that was fast inclosed, of old stone work--strong men it
+wrought--therein they gan to commune, his wise councillors, what
+answer he would give to Luces the emperor. When all the nobles were
+come to bench then was it all still that dwelt in the hall; there was
+great awe with the mighty king; durst there no man speak, least the
+king would it punish.
+
+Then stood there up Cador, the earl most rich here, and said these
+words before the rich king: "I thank my Lord, who formed the daylight,
+to abide (have abode) this day, that is arrived to the folk, and this
+tiding that is come to our king; so that we need no more lie here
+inert! For idleness is evil in each land; for idleness maketh man lose
+his manhood; idleness maketh knight lose his rights; idleness causeth
+many wicked crafts; idleness destroyeth many thousand men; through
+idle deeds little men well-speed. For long we have lain still; our
+honour is the less! But now I thank the Lord, who formed the daylight,
+that the Romanish folk are so fierce, and make their threat to come to
+our burghs, our king to bind, and to Rome him bring. But if it is
+sooth that men say, as people it tell, that the Romanish people are so
+fierce, and are so bold, and so mischievous, that they will now come
+into our land, we shall prepare for them rueful tales; their
+fierceness shall turn to themselves to sorrow. For never loved I long
+peace in my land; for through peace we are bound, and well nigh all in
+swoon."
+
+That heard Walwain, who was Arthur's relative, and angered him much
+with Cador, who said these words; and thus answered Walwain the good:
+"Cador, thou art a powerful man; thy counsels are not good; for good
+is peace and good is amity, whoso freely therewith holdeth, and God
+himself it made, through his divinity; for peace maketh a good man
+work good works, for all men are the better, and the land is the
+merrier."
+
+Then heard Arthur the dispute of these knights; and thus spake the
+mighty man with his fierce folk: "Sit ye down quickly, my knights all,
+and each by his life listen my words!" All it was still that dwelt in
+the hall. Then spake the bold king to his noble folk: "My earls, my
+barons, my bold thanes, my doughty men, my dear friends; through you I
+have conquered under the sun, so that I am man most powerful, and
+fierce against my enemies; gold I have and treasure; of men I am
+ruler. I won it not alone, but we did, all clean. To many a fight I
+have led you, and ever ye were well skilled, so that many kingdoms
+stand in my hand. Ye are good knights, brave men and active; that I
+have proved in well many lands" The yet spake him Arthur, noblest of
+kings: "But now ye have heard, my noble thanes, what the Romanish men
+counsel them between, and what words they send us here, into our land,
+with writ and with words, and with great wrath. Now we must bethink
+how we may with right defend our country and our great honour, against
+this powerful folk, against this Rome-people, and send them answer
+with our good words; with much wisdom send our writ to Rome, and learn
+at the emperor, for what thing he us hateth; for what thing he greets
+us with threat and with scorn Exceeding sorely it incenseth me, and
+immoderately it shameth, that he reproaches us our loss that we before
+have lost. They say that Julius Caesar won it (Britain) with combat in
+fight. With strength and with fight men do many wrongs; for Caesar
+sought Britain with bold strength. The Britons might not against him
+defend their land, but with strength they went in hand, and delivered
+him all their land; and thereafter soon all became his men. Some of
+our kin they had slain, and some with horses drawn to pieces; some
+they led bound out of this land; and thus this land won with wrong and
+with sin, and now asketh by right tribute of this land! All so we may
+do, if we it do will, through right of Belin king, and of Brenne, his
+brother, the Duke of Burgundy. These were our ancestors, of whom we
+are come; these belay Rome, and the realm all conquered, and before
+Rome the strong their hostages up hung, and afterwards they took all
+the land, and set it in their own hand, and thou ought we with right
+to besiege Rome. Now will I let remain Belin and Brenne, and speak of
+the caiser, Constantine the strong, he was Helen's son, all of Britons
+come (descended), he won Rome, and possessed the realm. Let (leave) we
+now of Constantine, who won Rome all to him, and speak of Maximian,
+who was a man most strong, he was King of Britain, he conquered
+France. Maximian the strong he took Rome in hand, and Alemaine
+(Germany) he won eke, with wondrous great strength, and all from Rome
+into Normandy. And all these were my ancestors, my noble progenitors;
+and possessed all the lands that unto Rome lay; and through such
+authority I ought to obtain Rome. They yearn of me in hand tribute of
+my land; all so will I of Rome, if I have counsel. I desire in my
+thoughts to possess all Rome; and he desireth in Britain to bind me
+most fast, and slay my Britons, with his evil attacks. But if my Lord
+grant it, who formed day and night, he shall sorely pay for his bold
+threat, and his Rome-people shall therefore perish; and I will be
+bold, wherein he now ruleth! Dwell ye now all still, I will say my
+will, no man shall do it otherwise, but it shall stand thereon. He
+desireth all, and I desire all that we both possess; have it now and
+ever who may it easier win, for now we shall prove to whom God will
+grant it!"
+
+Thus spake the bold king, that had Britain under his rule, that was
+Arthur the king, Britain's darling! His warriors sate, and to his
+words listened; some they sate still, a great while; some they made
+much communing between them; some it seemed to them good; some it
+disturbed their mood.
+
+When they had long listened to the king, then spake Howel the fair,
+noble man of Britanny, and said these words before the fierce king:
+"Lord king, hearken to me, as I ere did to thee. Thou hast said sooth
+words--may fortune be given to thee!--For it was of old said, what we
+now shall learn, in the years before what is now here found. Sibeli it
+said; her words were sooth, and set it in book, for example to folk,
+that three kings should go out of Britain, who should conquer Rome,
+and all the realm, and all the lands that thereto lie. The first was
+Belin, who was a British king; the other was Constantine, who was king
+in Britain; thou shalt be the third, that Rome shalt have. And if thou
+wilt it begin, thou shalt it win, and I will thereto help, with great
+strength, I will send over sea, to my good thanes, to my bold
+Britons--the better we shall proceed,--I will command all, the nobles
+of Britain, by their limbs and by their lives, over all my lands, that
+they be ready soon with thee to march to Rome. My land I will set in
+pledge for silver, and all the possessions of my land for silver and
+for gold, and so we shall proceed to Rome, and slay Luces the emperor,
+and for to win thy rights, I will lead to thee ten thousand knights."
+Thus spake Howel, noblest of Britanny.
+
+When that Howel had said what seemed good to him, then spake Angel the
+king, Scotland's darling, and stood upon a bench, and both his
+brothers, that was, Loth and Urien, two most noble men. Thus said
+Angel the king to Arthur the keen: "Lord Arthur, I say to thee through
+my sooth words, the same that Howel hath spoken, no man shall it
+avoid, but we shall perform it by our quick lives! And, lord Arthur
+the noble, listen to me a while, call to thee to counsel thy earls
+rich, and all the highest that are in thy folk, and bid them say to
+thee with their sooth words, in what they will help thee thy foes to
+destroy. I will lead to thee knights of my land, three thousand
+champions brave, all chosen, ten thousand men on foot, to fight most
+good, and go we to Rome, and conquer the realm. Full greatly it may
+shame us, and full greatly it may us anger, that they should send
+messengers after tribute to our land. But so help us the Lord that
+formed the daylight, they shall pay for it with their bare life! For
+when we have Rome, and all the realm, we shall seize the lands that
+thereto he, Poille (Apuha?) and Alemaine, Lumbardy and Britanny,
+France and Normandy--then it hight Neustrie--and so we shall tame
+their immoderate mood (pride)." When the king had said then answered
+all. "Disgraced be that man that will not help thereto, with goods and
+with weapons, and with all his might!"
+
+Then was Arthur's folk sternly incensed, knights were so enraged, that
+all they gan to be agitated. When Arthur had heard the clamour of his
+folk, then gan he call--the king was angry--"Sit ye down still,
+knights in hall, and I will you tell what I will do. My writs I will
+make, that shall be well indited, and send to the emperor minds sorrow
+and mickle care, and I will full soon fare into Rome. I will not
+thither any tribute bring, but the emperor I will bind, and afterwards
+I will him hang; and all the land I will destroy, and all the knights
+put to death, that stand against me in fight!"
+
+Arthur took his writ in hand, with hostile words, and delivered it to
+the men, that had brought the errand, and afterwards he caused them to
+be clothed with each pomp, with the noblest garments that he had in
+bower, and bade them fare soon to Luces of Rome, and he would come
+after them as quickly as he might.
+
+These twelve went their way toward their land; were in no land knights
+so bedecked with silver and with gold, nor through all things so well
+arrayed as these were by Arthur the king. Thus Arthur them treated,
+all for their words! These twelve knights proceeded until they came to
+Rome; they greeted their emperor, their sovereign: "Hail be thou,
+Luces, thou art highest over us! We were with the fierce man, with
+Arthur the king, we have brought thee writs, words exceeding great
+Arthur is the keenest man that we ever looked on, and he is wondrous
+powerful, and his thanes are bold, there is every knave as if he were
+knight, there is every swain as if he were rich thane, there are the
+knights as if it were kings, meat there is most abundant, and men most
+bold, and the fairest women that dwell alive; and Arthur the bold
+himself fairest over all! By us he sendeth word to thee, that he will
+come to this land, no tribute he will bring, but thyself he will bind,
+and afterwards he will thee hang, and this land all destroy, and take
+Alemaine and Lumbardy, Burgundy, France, and Normandy. And Frolle he
+slew, his foe, so he will to us all do, and possess himself alone the
+land that we own all clean, hereto he will lead kings, earls, and
+chieftains. And here we have in hand the writs that he thee sendeth
+that telleth thee what he will do, when he cometh in hither."
+
+When the errand was said, the emperor was a full sorrowful man, and
+all the Rome-folk were stirred with strong wrath. Oft they went to
+counsel, oft they went to communing, ere to them might be determined
+what they would do. Nevertheless at the end a counsel they found, that
+was through the senator, who held the senate, the emperor they
+counselled that he should write letters, and send his messengers over
+many kingdoms, and bid them all come soon to Rome, from every land,
+who loved them aught, and all that willeth with fight obtain land or
+goods. Folk there came soon to the burgh of Rome, so mickle as there
+never ere any man assembled! They said that they would march over
+Muntgiu, and fight with Arthur, wheresoever they him found, and Arthur
+slay or hang, and his host all destroy, and possess for the emperor
+Arthur's realm.
+
+The first king that there came, he was a man exceeding keen, Epistrod,
+king of Greece; Ethion, Duke of Boeotia, came with a great force;
+Irtac, King of Turkey; Pandras, King of Egypt; of Crete the King
+Ypolite; of Syria the King Evander; of Phrygia the Duke Teucer; of
+Babylon, Maptisas; of Spain the Caiser Meodras; of Media the King
+Boccus; of Libia the King Sextorius; of Bitunia, Pollidices; of Ituria
+the King Xerxes; Ofustesar, King of Africa; was there no king his
+like; with him came many an African; of Ethiopia he brought the
+black-men. The Rome-people themselves marched them together, that were
+at nearest, of Rome the noblest; Marcus, Lucas, and Catel, Cocta,
+Gaiut, and Metel; these were the six, who the Senate all ruled.
+
+When this folk was assembled, from lands of many kind, then caused the
+emperor all the host to be numbered. Then were there told right, to
+fight most bold, four hundred thousand knights in the heap
+(assemblage), with weapons and with horses, as behoveth to knights.
+Never was he born, in every any burgh, that might tell the folk, that
+there went on foot! Before harvest-day forth they gan to march, ever
+right the way that toward Muntgiu lay.
+
+Let us now leave this host a while, and speak we of Arthur, noblest of
+kings, when that he had besought his good thanes, and each had gone
+home where he had land. And soon again came the knights in assemblage,
+with weapons well provided, through all their might, of Scotland, of
+Ireland, of Gutland, of Iceland, of Norway, of Denmark, of Orkney, of
+Man; of these same lands are a hundred thousand brave thanes, all well
+weaponed in their country's wise. They were not all knights, nor in
+this wise arrayed, but they were the keenest men that any man knew,
+with great battle-axes, and with long saexes. Of Normandy, of Anjou,
+of Britain, of Poitou, of Flanders, of Boulogne, of Lorraine, of
+Lovaine, came a hundred thousand to the king's host, knights with the
+best, completely provided with weapons. There came the twelve
+companions that France should obey; twelve thousand knights they
+brought forthright; and of this land Arthur took in hand fifty
+thousand knights, keen and brave men in battle. Howel of Brittany led
+ten thousand of his land-folk, knights with the best. Of footmen; when
+they forth marched, through no kind of speech could any man them
+number!
+
+Arthur then ordered, noblest of kings, the folk to be assembled at a
+set time, by their bare life, at Barbefleote; and there he would
+gather his good people. This land he delivered to a famous knight; he
+was Walwain's brother, there was no other; he was named Modred,
+wickedest of men; truth he had none to ever any man; he was Arthur's
+relation, of his noble race; but knight he was wondrous good, and he
+had very much pride; he was Arthur's sister's son; to the queen was
+his resort--that was evilly done--to his uncle he did treachery. But
+it was all secret, in host and in hall, for no man it weened, that it
+should be, but men in sooth weened him, because Walwain was his
+brother, the truest man of all that came to the folk; through Walwain
+was Modred by men the more beloved, and Arthur the keen full well was
+pleased with him. He took all his kingdom, and set it to Modred in
+hand, and Wenhaver, his queen, worthiest of women, that then in this
+nation dwelt in land. Arthur gave to them all that he possessed, to
+Modred and the queen--that to them was pleasing. That was evilly done,
+that they were (should have been) born; this land they destroyed with
+numerous sorrows; and themselves at the end the Worse gan disgrace (or
+destroy), so that they there lost their lives and their souls, and
+ever afterwards became odious in every land, so that never any man
+would offer a good prayer for their souls, on account of the treachery
+that he did to Arthur, his uncle. All that Arthur possessed he gave to
+Modred, his land and his people, and his dear queen; and afterwards he
+took his army of folk most fair, and marched full soon toward
+Southampton.
+
+There came numerous ships soon sailing over the wide sea, to the
+king's folk; the king distributed the folk over the long ships; by
+thousands and by thousands to the ships they thronged; the father wept
+on the son, sister on the brother; mother on the daughter, when the
+host departed. The weather stood at will, the wind waxed in hand;
+anchors they up drew, joy was among the folk. The thanes wondrous
+blithe wound their way into the wide sea, the ships thereforth
+pressed, the glee-men there sung; sails there they hoist, ropes there
+they right; weather they had softest of all, and the sea slept. For
+the softness (calm) Arthur gan to sleep; as the king slept a dream he
+dreamt; marvellous was the dream, the king it alarmed!
+
+When the king him awoke, greatly he was frightened, and began to groan
+with loud voice. Was there none so bold knight under Christ, who durst
+ask the king of his welfare, ere the king himself spake, and
+discoursed with his barons there, and thus Arthur him said, when he
+awoke from his sleep: "Lord governor Christ, ruler of dooms, protector
+of middle-earth, comforter of men through thy merciful will, ruler of
+angels; let thou my dream turn to good!" Then spake Angel the king,
+Scotland's darling: "Lord, say us thy dream, for prosperity is given
+to us" "Blithely," quoth the king, "to bliss may it turn! Where I lay
+in slumber, and I gan for to sleep, methought that in the welkin came
+a marvellous beast, eastward in the sky, and loathsome to the sight;
+with lightning and with storm sternly he advanced; there is in no land
+any bear so loathly. Then came there westward, winding with the
+clouds, a burning dragon; burghs he swallowed, with his fire he
+lighted all this land's realm; methought in my sight that the sea gan
+to burn of light and of fire, that the dragon carried. This dragon and
+the bear, both together, quickly soon together they came; they smote
+them together with fierce assaults, flames flew from their eyes as
+firebrands! Oft was the dragon above, and eftsoons beneath;
+nevertheless at the end high he gan rise, and he flew down right with
+fierce assault, and the bear he smote, so that he fell to the earth;
+and he there the bear slew, and limbmeal him tore. When the fight was
+done, the dragon back went. This dream I dreamt, where I lay and
+slept."
+
+The bishops heard this, and book-learned men; this heard earls, this
+heard barons; each by his wit said wisdom, and this dream they
+interpreted, as to them best seemed. There durst no knight to evil
+expound no whit, lest he should lose his limbs that were dear to him.
+Forth they gan to voyage exceeding quickly; the wind stood to them at
+will, weather best of all; they had all that to them was need; to land
+they came at Barbefleot. To Barbefleot, at Constantin, therein came a
+mickle multitude, from all the lands that Arthur had in hand. So soon
+as they might, out of ship they moved, the king ordered his folk to
+seek lodging, and the king would rest, until his folk came. He was not
+there but one night, that a fair knight came to him; he told tiding to
+Arthur the king, he said that there was arrived a monster, westward
+from Spain; a fiend well loathsome; and in Britanny was busy to harm.
+By the seaside the land he wasted wide--now it hight Mount Saint
+Michel--the land he possesseth every part.--"Lord king," quoth the
+knight, "in sooth I make known to thee right here, he hath taken away
+thy relative, with great strength, a nobly born woman, Howel's
+daughter choice, who was named Helen, noblest of maidens. To the mount
+he carried her, noblest of maidens; now full a fortnight the fiend
+hath holden her there right; we know not in life whether he have her
+not to wife. All the men that he seizeth, he maketh to him for meat,
+cattle, horses, and the sheep, goats, and the swine eke; all this land
+he will destroy, unless thou allay our care, the land and this people;
+in thee is our need." Yet said the knight to the monarch: "Seest thou,
+lord, the mount, and the great wood, wherein the fiend dwelleth that
+destroyeth this people? We have fought with him well many times; by
+sea and by land this folk he destroyed; our ships he sank, the folk he
+all drowned, those that fought on the land, those he down laid. We
+have driven (suffered) that so long, that we let him alone, to act how
+so he will, after his will, the knights of this land dare not with him
+any more fight."
+
+Arthur heard this, noblest of all kings; he called to him the Earl
+Kay, who was his steward and his relative; Beduer eke to him he
+called, he who was the king's cup-bearer. He bade them forth-right be
+all ready at midnight, with all their weapons, to go with the king, so
+that no man under Christ should know of their journey, except Arthur
+the king, and the two knights with him, and their six swains, brave
+men and active; and the knight that counselled it to the king should
+lead them. At the midnight, when men were asleep, Arthur forth him
+went, noblest of all kings. Before rode their guide, until it was
+daylight; they alighted from their steeds, and righted their weeds.
+Then saw they not far a great fire smoke, upon a hill, surrounded by
+the sea-flood; and another hill there was most high; the sea by it
+flowed full nigh, thereupon they saw a fire that was mickle and most
+strong. The knights then doubted, to whether of the two they might go,
+that the giant were not aware of the king's movement. Then Arthur the
+bold took him to counsel, that they should go together near the one
+fire; and if they there him found, kill him to death. Forth went the
+king, so that he came near; nought he there found but a mickle fire
+there burning. Arthur went about, and his knights by his side; nought
+they found alive upon earth but the great fire, and bones innumerable;
+by estimation it seemed to them thirty fother. Arthur then knew not
+any good counsel, and began him to speak to Beduer, his earl:--
+"Beduer, go quickly down from this hill, and pass thee over the deep
+water, with all thy weeds; and with wisdom advance to the fire; and go
+thou aside, and behold diligently, if thou mayest find ought of the
+fiend. And if thou mayest him perceive, in wise of any kind, go down
+still, until thou come to the water, and say me there soon what thou
+hast seen. And if it so befalleth, that thou come to the fire, and the
+fiend thee perceive, and proceed toward thee, have my good horn, that
+all with gold is adorned, and blow it with strength, as man shall for
+need. And advance thee to the fiend, and begin to fight, and we shall
+come to thee, as most quickly we may do it. And if thou findest him
+near the fire and thou all unperceived back mayest go; then forbid I
+thee, by thy bare life, that thou ever with the monster begin fight."
+
+Beduer heard what his lord said to him; his weapons he put him on, and
+forth he went, and ascended up the mount that was immense. He bare in
+his hand a spear exceeding strong; a shield on his back, ornamented
+all with gold; a helm on his head, high, of steel; his body was
+covered with a fair burny; he had by his side a brand all of steel;
+and forth he gan step, the powerfully strong earl, until he arrived
+near the fire; and he under a tree gan him tarry. Then heard he one
+weep, wondrously much, weep and whine with piteous cries. Then the
+knight weened that it were the giant, and he became incensed as if it
+were a wild boar, and soon forgot what his lord said to him. His
+shield he drew on his breast, his spear he grasped fast, and near gan
+wend toward the fire; he thought to find the stern fiend, that he
+might fight, and prove himself. Then found he there a woman shaking
+with her head, a hoary-locked wife, who wept for her wretchedness; she
+cursed her lot that she was alive; that sate by the fire, with piteous
+cries, and sat and ever she beheld a grave, and said her words with
+plaintive voice: "Alas! Helen; alas! dear maid; alas! that I thee fed,
+that I thee fostered; alas! that the monster hath thee here thus
+destroyed; alas! that I was born; my limbs he hath broken in pieces!"
+
+Then looked the woman about, where the giant should arrive; and looked
+on the Earl Beduer, who was come there. Then said the woman hoar,
+where she sate by the fire: "What are thou, fair wight? art thou
+angel, art thou knight? are thy wings hung with gold? If thou art from
+heaven, thou mayest in safety go hence, and if thou art earthly
+knight, harm thou wilt have forth-right. For now anon cometh the
+monster that all thy limbs will draw in pieces; though thou wert all
+steel, he would thee destroy, every bit. He went to Britanny, to the
+best of all mansions, to Howel's castle, noble man in Britanny; the
+gates he all brake in pieces, and within he gan wend. He took the hall
+wall, and pulled it to ground; the chamber's door he cast down, so
+that it burst in five; he found in the chamber the fairest of all
+maids; Helen she was named, of noble race; Howel's daughter, noble man
+of Britanny, Arthur's relative of most noble lineage. I was her
+foster-mother, and fair her fostered. There the giant took us forth
+with himself, fifteen miles, into this wild wood, hither to this same
+place; thus he us treated to-day a sen'night. So soon as he hither
+came, so he took the maid; he would have carnal intercourse with the
+maiden. Age had she no more but fifteen years; the maiden might not
+endure his force; anon so he lay with her, her life she lost soon! And
+here he her buried, fairest of all maids, Helen, mine own foster,
+Howel's daughter! When he had this done, so myself he took; on the
+ground he me laid, and lay with myself. Now hath he all my bones
+loathsomely broken; my limbs all dismembered; my life to me is odious!
+Now I have thee told, how we are led here. Flee now quickly, least he
+thee find; for if he cometh enraged, with his direful onsets, was he
+never born that may stand thee before!"
+
+Even with these words that the woman said, Beduer gan to comfort her
+with fair words: "Dear mother, I am a man, and knight am brave; and I
+will say thee through my sooth words, that no champion was born of
+ever any lady, that man may not with strength stoop him to ground; and
+serve thee an old woman--very little are thy powers. But have now very
+goodday, and I will go my way."
+
+Down went him Beduer to his sovereign, and told him how he had care,
+and all how he had fared, and what the old woman told him of the
+maiden, and how the giant each day by the old woman lay. There they
+them between held their communing, how they might take on, so that the
+fiend were destroyed.
+
+The while arrived the giant, and proceeded to his fire; he bare upon
+his back a great burthen, that was twelve swine, tied together, with
+withies exceeding great wreathed altogether. Adown he threw the dead
+swine, and himself sate thereby; his fire he gan mend, and great trees
+laid thereon; the six swine he drew in pieces, and ever he to the
+woman smiled, and soon by a while he lay by the woman. But he knew not
+of the tiding that came to his lemman. He drew out his embers; his
+flesh he gan to roast; and all the six swine he gan eat ere he arose
+from his seat, all besmeared in the ashes--evil were the viands; and
+afterwards he gan to roar, and vociferated much, and down lay by the
+fire, and stretched his limbs.
+
+Let we now the giant be, and go to the king. Arthur at the water took
+his weapons in hand, and the Earl Beduer, good knight, wise and wary;
+and the third was Kay, the king's steward and his relative. Over the
+water they came, weaponed with the best, and ascended up the hill with
+all their strength, until they arrived near the fire, where the giant
+lay and slept, and the woman sate and wept. Arthur drew him beside and
+spake to his companions; forbade them by their limbs and by their bare
+life, that none were so keen that they should come near, unless they
+saw that it were need. Beduer tarried him there, and Kay, his
+companion.
+
+Arthur gan step forth, sturdy-mooded warrior, until he came to the
+floor, where the fiend lay and slept. Ever was Arthur void of fear;
+that was manifest therein, wondrous though it seem; for Arthur might
+there have hewed the giant in pieces, slain the monster where he lay
+and slept; then would not Arthur no whit touch him in his sleep, lest
+he in future days should hear upbraiding. Then called Arthur anon,
+noblest of kings: "Arise, fiend-monster, to thy destruction! Now we
+shall avenge the death of my relative!"
+
+Ere the king had this fully said, the giant up started, and grasped
+his mickle club, and weened with the blow to dash Arthur all in
+pieces; but Arthur drew his shield high above his helm; and the giant
+smote thereon above, so that all it gan to shiver. And Arthur struck
+at him in haste with his sword, and smote off him the chin, with all
+the hair, and started him behind a tree, that there stood near; and
+the giant smote after quickly, and hit him not, but he smote the tree,
+so that his club brake all in pieces. And Arthur quickly ran round
+about the tree; and so Arthur and the monster ran round it thrice
+about. Then was the giant exceeding heavy, and Arthur was the swifter,
+and overtook the giant, and up heaved his good brand, and smote from
+him the thigh; and the giant down fell.
+
+And Arthur stopt and beheld; then gan the fiend to speak: "Lord, lord,
+give me peace; who is it that fighteth with me? I weened not that any
+man in this world's realm might me thus lightly defeat in fight,
+except it were Arthur, noblest of all kings; and nevertheless was I
+never of Arthur sore afraid." Then said Arthur to him, noblest of
+kings: "I am Arthur the king, Britain's darling. Tell me of thy race,
+and where is their habitation; and who should be to thee father or
+mother accounted on earth; and from what land thou art hither arrived;
+and why thou hast destroyed with murder my relative?" Then answered
+the fiend, where he lay and beheld: "All this I will do, and thy troth
+receive, on condition that thou let me live, and heal my limbs."
+Arthur him wrathed, wondrously much; and he called Beduer, his bold
+champion: "Go near, Beduer, and take off from him here the head; and
+carry it forth with thee, down from this mount." Beduer came near, and
+deprived him of his head; and so they proceeded thence down to their
+companions. Then sate the king down, and gan him rest; and said these
+words Arthur the good: "Never fought I any such fight, upon this land,
+but when I slew the King Riun, upon the mount of Ravin!"
+
+Afterwards they forth went, and came to the host; when that they the
+head saw, wondrous it seemed to them, wherever under heaven were such
+head begotten! Howel of Britanny came to the king, and the king said
+to him all of the maiden. Then was Howel sorry, and sorrowful
+therefore in heart; and took all his companions, and fared to the
+mount where the British maid lay buried in earth. He caused there to
+be areared soon a church most fair, in Saint Mary's name, the Lord's
+mother; and afterwards he gave a name to the hill, ere he thence
+departed, and named it Helen's Tomb,--now it hight Mount Saint Michel.
+
+Then was Arthur's host numerously collected; from Ireland, from
+Scotland, thither were they come. Then caused the king the trumpets to
+be blown in the host, and marched from Britain, busy men and keen,
+throughout Normandy, that then hight Neustrie. They proceeded
+throughout France, and the folk marched after them; they went out of
+France into Burgundy. His spies there came, and held his companions;
+and made known to the king, there in the country, that Luces the
+emperor, and all his Romanish host, thitherward they came, out of
+their land, and so they would march in toward France; and all the land
+conquer; and afterwards proceed hither, and kill all the Britons,
+quick that they found, and Arthur the keen led bound to France. Then
+was enraged the boldest of all kings, and ordered all his tents to be
+pitched in the fields; and there he would abide until he the sooth
+knew, where he might the emperor certainly intercept (or hostilely
+engage). The water hight Albe, where the bold king lay. A wise knight
+there came riding to the king's host, who was all wounded, and his
+folk greatly felled; the Romanish men had bereaved him of all his
+land. He told to the king new tiding, where the emperor lay, and all
+his Romanish army, and where he might him find, if he him would with
+him fight, or make peace with the Romanish men. "But, lord Arthur,"
+quoth the knight, "I will shew to thee here right, that better for
+thee is it to have friendship, than for to fight; for against thy two
+they have twelve; so many kings, so many chieftains! He is in no land
+who may it make known to thee, for all the folk, that followeth the
+emperor, without (besides) the Rome-people, of his own territory, and
+without the folk that yearn the king's favour."
+
+When the tales were all told, and Arthur had them understood, then
+called the king forth-right his dearest knights, and they counselled
+them between a castle to arear, beside the water that Albe was named.
+On a spot exceeding fair it was built full soon, there helped many a
+hand, in haste was it done; for if Arthur mis-fared, when he came to
+the fight, or his folk fell, or set to flight, then thought he to
+remain in the strong castle. Then called he earls twain, noble men and
+wise; high men born, to the king exceeding dear; the one was of
+Chartres, and hight Gerin--much wisdom dwelt with him; the other hight
+Beof of Oxford--well wide sprang the earl's fame. The yet the king
+called Walwain, who was his dearest relative; for Walwain understood
+Romanish; Walwain understood British; he was nurtured in Rome well
+many winters. The king took these three knights fair, and to the
+emperor them sent, and bade him with his army go back to Rome, and
+that he never into France his host should lead. "And if thou thither
+marchest, and leadest thine host, thou shalt be received to thy
+destruction! For France is mine own land, and I won it with fight; and
+if thou wilt not relinquish, that thou wilt not hither come, go we two
+to the fight, and fall the worst; and let we the poor folk dwell in
+quiet. For whilom the Rome-people conquered all the land, and
+afterwards they losed the land with fight; and I with fight it won,
+and with fight will hold."
+
+Forth the knights went, goodly champions; that was, Gerin, and Beof
+the fair, and Walwain the bold, cuirassed and helmeted on their noble
+steeds; and each carried on his shoulder a shield exceeding good; they
+bare in their hands spears most strong. Forth they gan ride, noble
+men, from the host; much of the folk that with Arthur dwelt, with
+Walwain went, and earnestly prayed him, that he should raise some
+dispute with the Rome-folk:--"That we may with fight prove ourselves;
+for it is many years that (since) their threats came here; and their
+menace they make, that they will us behead. Now is it much folk-shame,
+if it thus shall allay, unless there be some strife ere we become
+reconciled; shafts broken in pieces, burnies torn, shields shivered,
+warriors hewed, and swords bathed in the red blood." Forth the earls
+proceeded through a great wood, and marked a way that over a mount
+lay, so that they came soon to the folk of Rome; worthily weaponed
+they rode on their horses. There men might behold, the man who were
+beside, many thousands throng out of the tents, all to behold these
+three bold knights, and beheld their steeds, and beheld their weeds,
+and hearkened tidings from Arthur the king. And next forthright
+questioned the knights, and if the king had sent them to the emperor,
+for to speak with the emperor, and to yearn his peace. But for never
+any speech these three noble earls would abide, ere they came riding
+before the tent's door, wherein was the emperor. Down they gan alight,
+and delivered their steeds; and so they weaponed with all advanced
+into the tent, before the emperor that Luces was named. Where he sate
+on his bed their errand they to him made known; each said his say as
+to him seemed best, and bade him go back to his land, so that he never
+more with hostility should seek France. The while that these three
+earls said their errand, the emperor sate as if he were dumb, and
+answer never any gave to these earls; but he listened eagerly, wicked
+in his thought. Then Walwain became angry, as a thane enraged; and
+said these words Walwain the keen: "Luces the mighty, thou art emperor
+of Rome! We are Arthur's men, noblest of Britons. He sendeth to thee
+his messengers, without greeting; he bids thee march to Rome, that is
+thine own realm, and let him hold France, that he won with fight; and
+hold thou thy realm, and thy Rome-folk. Whilom thy ancestors invaded
+France; with fight they there won immense possessions; so awhile they
+there lived, and afterwards they it lost. With fight Arthur it won,
+and he it will possess. He is our lord, we are his warriors; he
+ordered us to say sooth to thyself, if thou wilt not back march, thy
+bane he will be. And if thou wilt not back turn, but execute thy will,
+and thou wilt win the kingdom to thine own hand, now to-morrow is the
+day, have it if thou it may obtain"
+
+Then answered the emperor, with great wrath: "I will not back march,
+but France I will win; my ancestors it held, and I will it have. But
+if he would become my man, and acknowledge me for lord, and truely
+serve me, and hold me for master, I will make peace with him, and all
+his men; and let him hold Britain, that Julius had awhile in his hand,
+and many other lands, that Julius had in hand, that he hath no right
+to, though he possess the realm, that he shall all lose, unless he
+make peace."
+
+Then answered Walwain, who was Arthur's relative: "Belin and Brenne,
+both the brothers, Britain they possessed, and France they conquered;
+and afterwards they marched soon, and won Rome, and there they dwelt
+afterwards well many years. When this was all done, then was Brenne
+emperor, and ruled Rome, and all the people. And thus is Rome our
+right, that thou holdest in hand, and if we may live, we will it have,
+unless thou wilt acknowledge that Arthur is king over thee, and each
+year send him tribute of thy land; and if thou goest to him in amity,
+thou mayest live the quieter!"
+
+Then sate by the emperor a knight of his kin, named Quencelin; noble
+man in Rome. This knight answered before the emperor, and thus him
+said--the knight was wicked:--"Knights, return you back, and make
+known to your king, that the Britons are bold, but they are accounted
+worthless; for ever they make boast--their honour is little!" More he
+thought to say, when Walwain drew his sword, and smote him upon the
+head, so that it fell in two, and he hastily anon ran to his horse;
+and they up leapt with grim countenance; and these words said Walwain
+the good: "So help me the same Lord, that formed the daylight, if ever
+any of your men is so keen, that after us he pursue, I will him kill,
+he shall be cut in pieces with my broad sword!" Even with the same
+speech then called the emperor: "Hold them! hold! They all shall hang
+upon high trees, or with horses be drawn in pieces!" Even with this
+saying that the emperor said, the earls gan to ride, and spurred their
+steeds; they shook in their hands spears exceeding long; bare their
+broad shields before breast. Soon gan to ride the bold earls, and ever
+the emperor loud gan to Call: "Seize them! slay them! They have us
+disgraced!" There men might hear, who were there beside, thousands of
+the people call: "Hither, hither, weapons! Go we after them! Hither
+our shields; the men will escape!" Soon after them went weaponed
+warriors; there six, there seven, there eight, there nine. And ever
+the earls rode quickly, and ever awhile looked behind them; and ever
+the knights of Rome quick after came.
+
+And there came near a knight, riding swiftest of all, and ever he
+called most keenly: "Turn again, knights, and defend you with fight!
+It is to you much shame, that ye will fly." Walwain knew the shout of
+the Romanish men; he turned his steed, and to him gan ride; and smote
+him through with the spear, as if he were spitted, and drew to him the
+spear--the man died soon--and these words said Walwain the keen:
+"Knight, thou rodest too fast; better were it to thee (haddest thou
+been) at Rome!" Marcel hight the knight, of noble lineage. When
+Walwain saw that he fell to ground, soon his sword he out drew, and
+smote from Marcel the head; and these words said Walwain the good:
+"Marcel, go to hell, and there tell them tales, and dwell there for
+ever, with Quencelin, thy companion; and hold there your
+communing,--better it were to you in Rome; for thus we shall teach you
+our British speech!"
+
+Gerin saw how it fared, how that the Romanish lay there down; and
+spurred his horse, and met another, and smote him throughout with his
+spear, and these words spake: "Ride now so, Roman, and sink thee to
+hell, and thus we shall sink you, if God will us help! Threat is worth
+nought, unless there be deeds eke!" Beof saw, the brave man, how his
+comrades had done; and turned his horse wondrously quick, and with all
+his might advanced to a knight, and smote him above the shield, so
+that his good burny burst, and throughout the neck the spear drove
+full soon. And thus the earl gan to call keenly to his companions:
+"The Britons will us destroy, if we hence go, unless we the better
+begin ere we hence depart!" Even with the speech that the earl said,
+they turned them soon, wondrously prompt; and each drew his sword
+quickly, and each slew his Roman; and afterwards their horses they
+turned, and held their way. And the Romanish men rode ever after them;
+oft they smote on them, oft they them reproached; oft they said to
+them: "Ye shall pay for the deed!" but they might not through anything
+any of them down bring, nor any harm there do to them in the
+conflicts. But ever awhile the earls back turned, and ere they
+separated, the worse was to the Rome-folk.
+
+Thus they proceeded fifteen miles, until they came to a place under a
+fair wood, hard by the castle where Arthur lay fast. Three miles
+therefrom to the wood thronged nine thousand bold Britons, whom Arthur
+thither sent, who best knew the land; they would learn the sooth, of
+Walwain the keen, and of his companions, how they had fared; whether
+they were alive, or they lay by the way. These knights proceeded
+through the wood wondrously still, upon a hill, and eagerly beheld.
+They caused all the horsemen to alight in the wood, and get ready
+their weapons, and all their weeds (garments), except an hundred men,
+that there should look out, if they might descry through thing of any
+kind. Then saw they afar, in a great plain, three knights ride with
+all their main. After the three knights there came thirty; after the
+thirty they saw three thousand; thereafter came thronging thirty
+thousand anon, of Romanish folk, clad in armour. And ever the earls
+before them quickly rode, ever the right way that toward the wood lay,
+where their comrades were well hid. The earls rode to the wood; the
+Romanish men rode after; the Britons attacked them on their rested
+steeds, and smote in front, and felled an hundred anon. Then weened
+the Rome-folk that Arthur came riding, and were very greatly afraid;
+and the Britons pursued after them, and slew of the folk fifteen
+hundred. Then came them to help sixteen thousand of their own folk,
+whom Arthur had thither sent, bold Britons, with burnies clad.
+
+Then came there riding one that was a rich earl, named Petreius, a
+noble man of Rome, with six thousand warriors, to help the Romanish
+forces; and with great strength they leapt to the Britons, and few
+there they captured, but many they slew. The Britons fled to the wood;
+the others pursued after them; and the Britons on foot firmly against
+them stood, and the Romanish men fought riding; and the Britons
+advanced to them, and slew their horses, and many there took, and into
+the wood drew. Then was Petreius wrath, that his force was there the
+worse; and he with his host retreated from the wood; and the Britons
+followed them, and slew them behind. When the Britons were out of the
+wood, come out in the field, then withstood the Rome-folk with fierce
+strength. Then began the mickle fight!--there fell earls and many a
+good knight; there fell in that day fifteen thousand of noble men, ere
+it were even. There might he find, whoso would prove his strength,
+hand against hand, the strong against the strong, shield against
+shield, knights there fell! The paths ran with bloody streams;
+goldcoloured shields lay over the fields; all the day long they held
+the strong fight. Petreius on this side his folk held together; then
+it soon happened that the Britons had the worse. The noble Earl of
+Oxford, who was named Beof, a noble British man, saw that, that in no
+wise might it be, that the Britons should not fall, unless they had
+counsel. The earl then called to him noble knights, of the best of
+all, the Britons, and of the keenest of all, that there were alive,
+and drew him in the field, near the host; and thus him said--in heart
+to him was uneasiness: "Knights, hearken now to me; the Lord us help!
+We are hither come, and have undertaken this fight, without Arthur's
+counsel who is our chief. If to us good befalleth, we shall please him
+the better, and if to us befalleth evil, he will hate us. But if ye
+will do my counsel, then shall we ride all merry. We are three hundred
+knights, helmed thanes, brave men and keen, nobly born; shew ye your
+courage--we are of one kith--ride ye when I ride, and follow my
+counsel. Advance ye all to him, to the knight that I do; take ye no
+steed, nor any knight's weed, but every good knight slay ever
+downright!"
+
+Even with the words that the knight of Oxford said to his companions
+beside, then gan he to ride, even all they rode then as swift as hound
+driveth the hart, and his comrades after, with all their might,
+throughout the mickle fight, all the troop; they flew on their steeds;
+the folk they there killed. Woe was to them born, that were in the way
+before them, for all they it trod down, with horses and with steeds;
+and so they came near, and Petreius they captured. Beof rode to him,
+and with arms him clasped, and drew him off his steed, and on earth
+him stretched; he knew beside him were his bold knights. The Britons
+down smote; Petreius they drew along; and the Rome-folk fought boldly;
+and at the last man might not know who smote other; there was much
+blood shed, mischief was in the conflict! Then saw Walwain truly,
+where he was beside; with seven hundred knights he gan thither move,
+and what he found in his way, all he it destroyed. And riding he took
+Petreius, on his good steed; and led forth Petreius, loath though it
+were to him, until they came to the wood, where he well knew surely to
+hold the noble man of Rome; and eft out in the field proceeded, and
+began to fight. There men might see sorrow enough! shields break;
+knights fall; helms dropping; noble men dying; bloody fields; paled
+faces! The Britons rushed towards them; then the Rome-folk fled; and
+the Britons them slew, and many they took alive; and when the day
+ended woe was to the Rome-folk, woe! Then bound men fast the Romanish
+knights, and led them to the wood, before Walwain; twenty hundred
+knights watched them in the night.
+
+When it was day on the morrow, the folk gan to stir; forth they gan
+march to their sovereign, and brought him such offering, that was lief
+to him to have. Then spake him Arthur thus: "Welcome, Petreius! Now is
+one here that will teach thee British speech. Thou boasted before the
+emperor, that thou wouldest me kill; take all my castles, and my
+kingdom; and much good should be to thee of that thou desiredest to
+have. I will give thee, full truly, my castle in Paris; and there thou
+shalt dwell, as to thee will be most loathsome of all; shalt thou
+nevermore thy life thence lead!" Arthur took the knights that there
+were captured, three hundred riders he took eke anon, who all were
+comrades, knights most brave, and keen men in fight, and bade them on
+the morrow manly arise, bind the Romanish men with strong chains, and
+lead Petreius to the burgh of Pans. Four earls he commanded to bring
+them forth; Cador, Borel, Beduer, and Richer; he ordered them to be
+companions, so that they were secure, and to come again soon to their
+sovereign.
+
+This was all thus spoken, but it was soon known. Spies went over the
+king's host, and heard say sooth words, whither Arthur would send the
+knights that he had in bonds; and the spies forthright proceeded forth
+by night, until they came soon to the emperor of Rome, and told all
+their tale, how these four earls should march, and lead forth Petreius
+to the burgh of Paris; and all they told the way that in to Paris lay,
+and where men might them intercept in a deep valley, and take from
+them Petreius the noble man, and the four earls conquer, and fast them
+bind. Luces heard this, the emperor of Rome, and he leapt to weapon as
+it were a lion; and ordered ten thousand chosen knights to horse and
+to arms, quickly forwards to march. He called Sextonus, of Lybia he
+was king, of Turkey duke; he sent after Evander, who from Babylon was
+come there; he called to the senators Bal, Catel, and Carnus,--these
+were all of royal birth, and these were all chosen,--promptly to ride,
+and to liberate Petreius.
+
+Anon as it was even forth they marched; twelve knights them led of the
+people that were exceeding wary, and knew the ways. When the Rome-folk
+rode, resounded burnies; they set on their heads high helms; shields
+on their backs--the valiant Rome-folk. They marched all night,
+exceedingly fast, until they came in the way that into Paris lay; then
+were they before, and the Britons behind. But alas! that Cador the
+keen knew it not, that the Rome-folk had before rode them! They came
+in a wood, in a spot exceeding fair, in a deep dale, dark on the
+sides; they swore between them, that there they would engage. There
+they lay still a little while; and it gan to dawn, and the beasts gan
+to stir. Then came Arthur's men advancing by way, right the same way
+where the other host lay; they rode singing--the men were blithe!
+Nevertheless Cador was there, most wise and most wary; he and Borel
+the earl rich, advanced them together, and took between them five
+hundred knights, and marched before, weaponed champions. Richer and
+Beduer came behind them there, and led the knights, whom they had
+captured, Petreius and his companions, who were taken. Then came they
+riding upon the Rome-folk; and the Rome-folk rushed towards them with
+fierce strength, and smote on the Britons with exceeding bitter blows;
+brake the Britons' ranks--mischief was among the folk--the wood gan
+resound, warriors there fell! The Britons withstood them, and strongly
+defended themselves. Richer heard that, and the earl Beduer, how their
+comrades before them fought. Petreius they took, and all their
+prisoners, and with three hundred swains sent them into the wood. And
+they themselves advanced toward their comrades, and smote on the
+Rome-folk with fierce strength; there was many a blow given, and many
+a man there was slain. Then perceived Evander, who was a heathen king
+most wary, that their folk gan wax, and the Britons gan wane; and his
+best knights approached them together, and advanced upon the Britons,
+as if they would them bite. The Britons then were weakened, and theirs
+was the worse; they (the Romans) slew, they took all that they came
+nigh.
+
+Woe was there to the Britons without Arthur! Their remedy was too
+little there, at their great need. There was Borel slam, and deprived
+of life-day. Evander the king him killed with his wicked craft, and
+three Britons eke, high men born. There were slain three hundred of
+their companions; and many they took alive, and fast them bound;--then
+knew they not any good counsel, for they all weened to be dead;
+nevertheless they fought as bravely as they might.
+
+Then had out marched from Arthur's host the king of Poitou, hardy man
+renowned; Guitard he hight; Gascony he possessed; he had for
+companions five hundred riders, three hundred archers, keen men to
+fight, and seven hundred on foot that were prompt for harm. They were
+gone in to the land to obtain fodder, both fodder and meat, to carry
+to their host. The clamour they heard of the Rome-folk, their deeds
+they relinquished, and thitherward gan ride the strong mooded men and
+swift, of sloth devoid, until they came soon near to the fight.
+Guitard and his knights there right forthright grasped their shields,
+knights most bold; and all the archers pressed them beside; and the
+men on foot gan advance; and all together they on smote, with their
+smart blows. At the first onset the Romanish men fell; fifteen hundred
+to the ground; there was slain Evander, who was ere king full stern;
+Catellus of Rome forgot there his decrees! Then made they there
+flight, who ere held conflict; the Rome-folk turned the backs, and
+fled. The Britons pursued after them, and greeted them with mischief;
+and so many there they took, and so many there they slew, that the
+Britons' host might not fell any more! And the Romanish men, that
+there might escape, rode full soon to the emperor, and told him tiding
+of Arthur the king,--for they weened in sooth that Arthur thither were
+come; then was the emperor and his host greatly afraid, whom the
+Britons had slain--that to them seemed good. Backward they (the
+Britons) then went, with bold booty, and came again to the place where
+the fight had been, and buried the dead, and the alive they gan forth
+lead. And they sent after Petreius, whom they previously captured, and
+after his companions, that were previously taken, and sent them all
+full truly in to the burgh of Paris, and filled three castles, and
+fast them inclosed, after Arthur's command, noblest of all kings. All
+the Britons loved Arthur; to all of them stood dread of him that dwelt
+in the land, so did it to the emperor, of Arthur he had mickle care;
+and all the Rome-folk of Arthur were afraid.
+
+Then was it in sooth found, what Merlin whilom said, that Rome should
+for Arthur fall in fire, and the walls of stone quake and fall. This
+same token should be of Luces the emperor, and of the senators, who
+with him came from Rome; and in the same wise, they there gan fall;
+what Merlin in fore-days said, all they it found there, as they did
+ere, and subsequently well everywhere; ere Arthur were born, Merlin it
+all predicted.
+
+The emperor heard say sooth words, how his men were taken, and how his
+folk was eke slain. Then were in his army manifold sorrows; some
+lamented their friends; some threatened their enemies; some got ready
+their weapons--mischief was given to them! Then saw Luces, that evil
+was befallen to him, for each day he lost of his people, but he the
+harm felt, his noble men he lost. He became then afraid wondrously
+much, and betook him to counsel and to some communing, that he would
+march to Aust, with all his host; forth by Lengres he would
+proceed,--of Arthur he had mickle care!
+
+Arthur had his spies in the army of the emperor, and they soon caused
+him to know whither he (the emperor) would go. Arthur caused soon his
+host to be assembled, stilly by night his best knights; and forth the
+king marched with his good folk. On his right hand he let Lengres
+stand, and proceeded forward in the way that Luces would pass. When he
+came in a dale, under a down, there he gan halt, keenest of all
+kings,--the dale is in sooth named Sosie. Arthur there alighted down,
+and ordered all his people that they in haste should get ready their
+weapons, and prepare them to fight, as brave knights should; so that
+when the Rome folk there should come riding, that they should attack
+them, as brave knights should do. All the swains, and the impotent
+thanes, and of the small (base) folk many thousands, the king set them
+on a hill, with many standards,--that he did for stratagem; thereof he
+thought to boast, as it afterwards happened, thereafter full soon.
+Arthur took ten thousand of his noble knights, and sent on the right
+hand, clad in armour, he caused other ten thousand to march on his
+left hand; ten thousand before; ten thousand behind, with himself he
+held sixteen thousand; aside he sent into a fair wood seventeen
+thousand good knights, well weaponed men, the wood to guard, so that
+they might fare thither, if to him were need. Then was of Gloucester
+an earl with the best, Moruith he was named, a man exceeding keen; to
+him he committed the wood and the host. "And if it befalleth, as the
+living God will, that they be overcome, and begin to flee; pursue ye
+after them, with all your might, and all that ye may overtake deprive
+it of life-day; the fat and the lean, the rich and the poor. For in
+never any land, nor in any nation are knights all so good as are with
+myself, knights all so brave, knights all so powerful, knights all so
+strong, in ever any land! Ye are under Christ knights keenest of all,
+and I am mightiest of all kings under God himself. Do we well this
+deed, God us well speed!" The knights then answered, stilly under
+heaven: "All we shall well do, and all we shall undertake; nuthing be
+the knight, that sheweth not his might here right!" Then sent they on
+both sides, all the men on foot; then caused he the Dragon to be set
+up, the matchless standard, delivered it to a king who well could it
+hold. Angel, King of Scotland, held in hand (commanded) the foremost
+troop; Cador, the Earl of Cornwall, held the troop behind; Beof had
+one, the Earl of Oxford; the Earl of Chester, Gerin, the fourth troop
+held with him. The force upon the down held AEscil, King of Denmark.
+Lot held the one, who was dear to the king, Howel of Britanny held
+another. Walwain the keen was by the king. Kay commanded one, who was
+steward of the king; Beduer another, who was the king's cup-bearer.
+The Earl of Flanders, Howeldin, had a troop with him. A mickle troop
+had Gwitard, the King of Gascony land. Wigein, Earl of Leicester, and
+Jonathas, Earl of Dorchester, they commanded the two troops that there
+were on foot. The Earl of Chester, Cursaleyn, and the Earl of Bath,
+who hight Urgein, they commanded both the troops that were there
+beside; these should on two sides advance to the fight, with these two
+earls, that brave knights were,--Arthur had troth the earls were true.
+When all the troops were set as Arthur thought good, then called to
+him the King of Britain all his councillors, that were skilfullest in
+judgment; and thus said Arthur anon to his noble men: "Hearken now
+towards me, my dear friends; ye have twice attacked the Romanish men,
+and twice they are overcome, and slain, and captured, because they all
+with wrong covet our land. And my heart saith to me, through our high
+Lord, that yet they shall be overcome, both slain and captured. Ye
+have overcome Norwegians; ye have overcome Danes, Scotland and Ireland
+ye have all won to your hand; Normandy and France ye have conquered
+with fight. Three and thirty kingdoms I hold in mine own hand, that ye
+have won for me under the sun! And these are the worst men of all men
+alive; heathen people! To God they are loathsome; our Lord they
+desert, and to Mahoun they draw. And Luces, the emperor, of God's self
+hath no care, who hath for companions heathen hounds, God's enemies;
+we shall them destroy, and lay them to ground, and ourselves be safe,
+with the Lord's will, that ruleth all deeds!" Then answered the earls
+there: "All we are ready, to live and to lie with our dear king!"
+
+When this army was all prepared, then was it daylight; and Luces at
+Langres moved, and all his Rome-folk; he commanded his men to blow his
+golden trumpets, get ready his host, for forth he would march from
+Lengres to Aust, as his way right lay. And forth gan ride the Romanish
+people, until they came a mile near to Arthur.
+
+Then heard the Rome-folk hard tidings; they saw all the dales, and all
+the downs, and all the hills covered with helms; high standards,
+warriors them held, sixty thousand waving with the wind; shields
+glitter, burnies shine; gold-coloured vests, men most stern; steeds
+leap--the earth stirred! The emperor saw the king fare, where he was
+by the wood-shaw; then said he Luces, the lord of Rome, and spake with
+his men with loud voice: "What are these outlaws, that have preceded
+us in this way? Take we our weapons, and march we to them; they shall
+be slain, and some alive flayed, they all shall be dead, with torment
+destroyed!" Even with the words they seized their weapons. When they
+were arrayed with their good weapons, then spake soon Luces, the lord
+of Rome: "Quickly advance we to them; we all shall do well!" There
+were come with him five and twenty kings, heathen folk all, that held
+of Rome, earls and eke dukes, of the eastern world. "Lordings," quoth
+Luces then, "Mahoun be gracious to you! Ye are powerful kings, and
+obey unto Rome. Rome is my right, richest of all burghs; and I ought
+to be highest of all men alive. Ye see here on the field those who are
+our foes; they think to rule highly over our realm; hold us for base,
+and themselves become rich. But we shall oppose them with bold
+strength; for our race was highest of all men alive, and won all the
+lands that they looked on; and Julius the strong marched into Britain,
+and won to his hands many kingdoms. Now would our underlings be kings
+over us, but they shall buy it with their bare backs; never again
+shall they return to Britain!"
+
+Even with the words then moved the army; by thousands and by thousands
+they thronged together; each king prepared host of his folk. When it
+was all formed, and the army appointed, then were there right told
+full fifteen hosts; two kings there were ever comrades; four earls and
+a duke disposed them together, and the emperor by himself, with ten
+thousand champions. When the folk gan to stir, the earth gan to din;
+trumpets there blew; hosts were arrayed; horns there resounded with
+loud voice, sixty thousand blew together. More there sounded of
+Arthur's companions than sixty thousand men with horns; the welkin gan
+to din, the earth gan to tremble! Together they charged as if heaven
+would fall! First they let fly, exceedingly quick darts all as thick
+as the snow down falleth; stones they let afterwards sternly wind
+through the air. Then cracked spears; shivered spears,--helms rolled,
+noble men fell;--burnies brake in pieces, blood outflowed;--the
+fields were discoloured, standards fell! Wounded knights over all
+wandered over the weald, and sixty hundred there were trodden to death
+by horses! Knights there perished, blood out ran;--flowed by paths
+bloody streams,--woe was among the folk,--the harm was without bounds!
+So all as say the writings that skilful men made, that was the third
+greatest battle that ever here was fought, so that at the last no
+warrior knew on whom he should smite, and whom he should spare; for no
+man knew other there, for the quantity of blood!
+
+Then removed the fight from the place where they ere fought, and they
+began widely to rush together; and a new conflict began, narrowly
+contested;--there were the Rome-people grievously treated! Then came
+there three kings, of heathen land; of Ethiopia was the one; the
+second was an African; the third was of Lybia, of heathen land. They
+came to the host at the east end, and brake the body-of-troops that
+the Britons there held, and anon felled fifteen hundred bold thanes of
+Arthur's folk; then the Britons turned the backs soon. But then came
+there riding two keen earls, that was, Beduer and Kay, Arthur's
+cup-bearer and his relative; their Britons they saw hewed in pieces
+with swords. There became enraged the earls most bold, and with ten
+thousand knights pressed to the fight, amid the throng, where they
+were thickest, and slew the Rome-folk very grievously; and went over
+the fight, after their will. Then were they too daring, and ruled them
+too evilly; alas! alas! that they were not then wary; that they could
+not guard themselves against their enemies! For they were too keen,
+and too presumptuous, and fought too rashly, and too far advanced, and
+spread too widely over the broad conflict. Then came the King of
+Media, the mickle and the broad; a heathen chief,--there he harm
+wrought; he led for companions twenty thousand riders; he held in his
+hand a spear exceeding strong. The spear he forth thrust with his
+strong might, and smote the Earl Beduer before in the breast, so that
+the burny soon burst, before and behind, and his breast was opened;
+the blood came forth lukewarm. There fell Beduer anon, dead upon the
+ground; there was misery and sorrow enow! There Kay found Beduer lie
+him dead there, and Kay would carry away the body with himself; with
+twenty hundred knights he approached thereabout, and strongly fought,
+and felled the Rome-folk, and slew there many thousand men of Media;
+the fight was exceeding strong, and they were thereat long. Then
+arrived there a king most hateful, with sixty thousand good men of his
+land; Setor the keen, who came him from Lybia. There the strong king
+gan him fight with Kay, and wounded Kay sorely in the strong fight, to
+the bare death--grievous was the deed!
+
+His knights there right carried him from the fight, with mickle
+strength through the fight they pierced. Woe was to Arthur the king
+for the tiding! That saw the rich thane, who was named Ridwathlan,
+Beduer's sister's son, of noble Britons he was descended, that Boccus
+with his strong spear had slain Beduer. Woe was to him alive, when his
+uncle was dead; for he of all men most him loved. He called knights
+most good of his kindred, and of the dearest of all that he knew
+alive; five hundred by tale advanced together. Then said Ridwathlan,
+noble man of Britain: "Knights, ye are of my kindred, come ye here to
+me, and avenge we Beduer, mine uncle, who was best of our race, whom
+Boccus hath slain with his strong spear. Go we all together, and fell
+our foes!"
+
+Even with the words he forth pushed, and all his noble companions with
+him anon; and Boccus the king they knew, where he was in the combat;
+with his spear and with his shield many a knight he killed. Ridwathlan
+drew out his sword soon, and struck at him, and smote the king on the
+helm, so that it severed in two, and eke the burny-hood, so that it
+(the sword) stopt at the teeth; and the heathen king fell to the
+ground, and his foul soul sank into hell! Ridwathlan then said--cruel
+he was in mood--"Boccus, now thou hast bought dear that Beduer thou
+slew; and thy soul shall now be companion of the Worse!" Even with the
+words, as if it were the wind, he pressed to the fight; as a whirlwind
+doth in the field, when it heaveth the dust high from the earth, all
+so Ridwathlan rushed on his enemies. All they it slew that they came
+nigh, the while that they might wield their noble weapons; in all the
+fight were no knights better, the while that the life lasted them in
+their breasts. Boccus the king they slew, and a thousand of his
+knights; then was Beduer avenged well with the best!
+
+There was a brave earl, of noble race, who was named Leir, lord of
+Boulogne; he beheld in the fight an enemy advance, that was an
+admiral, of Babylon he was prince; much folk he felled down to the
+ground. And the earl that perceived; in heart was to him uneasiness;
+he drew to his breast a broad shield, and he grasped in his hand a
+spear that was most strong, and spurred his horse with all his main,
+and hit the admiral with a smart blow under the breast, that the burny
+gan to burst, so that the spear pierced through there behind him full
+a fathom; the wretch fell to the ground! That saw soon the admiral's
+son, who is named Gecron; and grasped his spear anon, and smote Leir
+the earl sore on the left side, throughout the heart,--the earl down
+fell. Walwain perceived that, where he was in the fight; and he
+wrathed him wondrously much; that saw Howel, noble man of Brittany,
+and he thither advanced, with fifteen hundred men; hardy warriors with
+Howel went; and Walwain before them man most stern of mood; he had for
+comrades five and twenty hundred bold Britons,--then began they to
+fight!
+
+There were the Rome-folk grievously treated; Howel them attacked,
+Walwain them met; there was wondrous cry, the welkin resounded; the
+earth gan to tremble, the stones there shivered! Streams of blood ran
+from the wretched folk, the slaughter was immense, then were the
+Britons weary! Kinard, the Earl of Striguil, left the King Howel, and
+took with him Labius, Rimarc, and Boclovius. These were the keenest
+men that any king had, these were among men earls mighty strong! They
+would not, for their mickle mood (pride), follow Howel the good, but
+by themselves they slew all that they came nigh. That saw a powerful
+man of the Rome-people, how Kinard the keen killed there their folk,
+and the knight gan him alight from his dear steed, and took him in his
+hand a spear made of steel, and bathed it in blood; and he aside went,
+until he came to the spot where Kinard the strong fought. Kinard's
+burny he up raised, and he the earl there slew. Then shouted loud all
+the Rome-folk, and turned to the Britons, and brake their troops; and
+felled the standards, the folk down sank; shields there shivered,
+warriors there fell; there fell to ground fifteen thousand bold
+Britons--mischief there was rife! So lasted long the fight exceeding
+strong.
+
+Walwain gan pass over the mickle slaughter, and assembled all his
+knights, where he found them in the fight. There near came riding
+Howel the mighty; they assembled their fair folk anon, and forth they
+gan wend, and rode to the Rome-folk with strong wrath, and quickly
+approached them, and brake their French ranks. And Walwain forth
+right, there he found Luces the emperor live under shield, and Walwain
+struck at him with the steel sword, and the emperor struck at him, who
+was man exceeding stern; shield against shield, the pieces there flew;
+sword against sword clashed well often, fire flew from the steel; the
+adversaries were enraged! There was fight most strong--all the host
+was stirred! The emperor weened to destroy Walwain, that he might in
+after days boast for the deed. But the Britons thronged towards them,
+most angrily, and the Romanish men liberated their emperor; and they
+charged together as if heaven would fall! All the daylight they held
+afterwards the fight, a little while ere the sun went to ground.
+Arthur then called--noblest of all kings: "Now go we all to them, my
+brave knights! And God himself aid us our enemies to fell!"
+
+Even with the words then blew men the trumpets; fifteen thousand anon
+thronged together to blow horns and trumps; the earth gan to tremble
+for the great blast, for the mickle clamour! The Rome-folk turned
+backs to the fight; standards fell,--noble men perished,--those fled
+who might,--the fated there fell! Much man-slaughter was there; might
+it no man tell, how many hundred men were there hewed in pieces in the
+mickle throng, in the man-slaughter! The emperor was slain in strange
+manner, so that no man of ever any country afterwards ever knew it to
+say, who killed the emperor. But when the fight was all done, and the
+folk was all in joy, then found men the emperor pierced through with a
+spear.
+
+Word came to Arthur, where he was in his tent, that the emperor was
+slam, and deprived of life-day. Arthur caused a tent to be pitched,
+amidst a broad field, and thither caused to be borne Luces the
+emperor, and caused him to be covered with gold coloured clothes, and
+caused him there to be watched three full days, the while he caused to
+be made a work exceeding rich, a long chest; and it to be covered all
+with gold. And he caused to be laid therein Luces of Rome, who was a
+most doughty man, the while his days lasted. The yet did Arthur more,
+noblest of all Britons, Arthur caused to be sought all the powerful
+men, kings and earls, and the richest barons, who in the fight were
+slain, and deprived of life-day; he caused them to be buried with
+great pomp. But he caused three kings to bear Luces the emperor, and
+caused a bier to be made, rich and exceeding lofty; and caused them
+soon to be sent to Rome. And greeted all the Rome-people with a great
+taunt, and said that he sent them the tribute of his land, and eft
+would also send them more greeting, if they would yearn of Arthur's
+gold; and thereafter full soon ride into Rome, and tell them tidings
+of the King of Britain, and Rome-walls repair, that were of yore
+fallen down;--"And so will I rule the fierce Rome-folk!" All this
+boast was idly done, for otherwise it fared, all otherwise it
+happened: the people he left, through wicked tiding, all through
+Modred his relative, wickedest of all men!
+
+In the mickle fight Arthur lost of his knights, five and twenty
+thousand, hewed in pieces on the ground, of Britons most bold,
+bereaved of life. Kay was wounded sore, wondrously much; to Kinun he
+was carried, and soon thereafter he was dead. He was buried there
+beside the castle, among hermits, who was the noble man. Kay hight the
+earl, Kinun the castle, Arthur gave him the town, and he thereat was
+entombed, and set there the name after himself; for Kay's death he
+named it Kain (Caen); now and evermore so it hight there. After Beduer
+was slain, and deprived of life day, Arthur caused him to be borne to
+his castle Baeios (Bayeux), and there he was buried, in the burgh;
+without the south gate in earth men him laid. Howeldin was floated
+forth into Flanders; and all his best knights there floated
+forth-right into the earldoms whence they there came. And all the dead
+in earth men them laid; in Terouane they lie all clean.
+
+Leir, the earl, men carried into Boulogne; and Arthur then thereafter
+dwelt in a land in Burgundy, that to him seemed best; the land he all
+ruled, and all the castles appointed; and said that he would himself
+hold the land. And afterwards he made his threat, that he would in
+summer march into Rome, and acquire all the realm, and himself be
+emperor where Luces ere dwelt. And many of the Rome folk would that it
+so should be, for they were adread to their bare death, so that many
+away there fled, and their castles abandoned; and many sent messengers
+to Arthur the strong; and many spake with him, and yearned Arthur's
+peace; and some they would against Arthur hold, and hold Rome against
+him, and defend the realm. And nevertheless they were afraid for their
+destruction, so that they knew not under Christ any good counsel. Then
+was it there come to pass, what Merlin said erewhile, that Rome-walls
+should fall down before Arthur; that was fulfilled there by the
+emperor, who fell there in the fight, with fifty thousand men; there
+sank to the ground the rich Rome-people! Then Arthur weened in sooth
+to win all Rome, and dwelt in Burgundy, noblest of all kings.
+
+Then came there on a time a brave man riding, and brought tiding to
+Arthur the king, from Modred, his sister's son; to Arthur he was
+welcome, for he weened that he brought news most good. Arthur lay all
+the night long, and spake with the young knight; so never would he say
+to him sooth how it fared. When it was day on the morrow, and people
+gan to stir, Arthur then up arose, and stretched his arms; he arose
+up, and sate down, as if he were exceeding sick. Then asked him a fair
+knight--"Lord, how hast thou fared to-night?" Arthur then answered--in
+mind he was uneasy: "To-night in my sleep, where I lay in chamber, I
+dreamt a dream--therefore I am full sorry. I dreamt that men raised me
+upon a hall; the hall I gan bestride, as if I would ride; all the
+lands that I possessed, all I there overlooked. And Walwain sate
+before me; my sword he bare in hand. Then approached Modred there,
+with innumerable folk; he bare in his hand a battle-axe strong; he
+began to hew exceeding hardily; and the posts all hewed in pieces,
+that held up the hall. There I saw Wenhaver eke, dearest of women to
+me; all the mickle hall roof with her hand she drew down; the hall gan
+to tumble, and I tumbled to the ground, so that my right arm brake in
+pieces,--then said Modred, 'Have that!' Down fell the hall; and
+Walwain gan to fall, and fell on the earth; his arms both brake. And I
+grasped my dear sword with my left hand, and smote off Modred his
+head, so that it rolled on the field. And the queen I cut all in
+pieces with my dear sword, and afterwards I set her down in a black
+pit. And all my good people set to flight, so that I knew not under
+Christ, where they were gone. But myself I gan stand upon a weald, and
+I there gan to wander wide over the moors, there I saw gripes, and
+grisly fowls! Then approached a golden lion over the down;--a beast
+most fair, that our Lord made;--the lion ran towards me, and took me
+by the middle, and forth gan her move, and to the sea went. And I saw
+the waves drive in the sea; and the lion in the flood went with
+myself. When we came in the sea, the waves took her from me; but there
+approached a fish, and brought me to land;--then was I all wet, and
+weary from sorrow, and sick. When I gan to wake, greatly gan I to
+quake; then gan I to tremble as if I all burnt with fire. And so I
+have all night of my dream much thought; for I wot with certainty,
+gone is all my bliss, for ever in my life sorrow I must endure! Alas!
+that I have not here Wenhaver, my queen!"
+
+Then answered the knight: "Lord, thou hast wrong; men should never a
+dream with sorrow interpret. Thou art the mightiest man, that reigneth
+in land, and the wisest of all that dwelleth under heaven. If it were
+befallen--as will it not our Lord!--that Modred, thy sister's son, had
+taken thy queen, and set all thy royal land in his own hand, that thou
+to him committedest, when thou thoughtest to go to Rome; and had he
+done all this with his treachery, the yet thou mightest thee avenge
+with weapon worthily, and eft thy land hold, and govern thy people,
+and thine enemies fell, who did evil to thee, and slay them all clean,
+that there remain not one."
+
+Arthur then answered, noblest of all kings: "So long as is ever,
+weened I that never, that ever Modred, my relative, who is man dearest
+to me, would betray me, for all my realm, nor Wenhaver, my queen,
+weaken in thought; would it not begin, for any worldly man!"
+
+Even with the words forth-right then answered the knight: "I say thee
+sooth, dear king, for I am thy underling. Thus hath Modred done; thy
+queen he hath taken, and thy fair land set in his own hand. He is
+king, and she is queen; of thy coming is there no expectation, for
+they ween not ever in sooth, that thou shalt come back from Rome. I am
+thine own man, and saw this treason; and I am come to thyself, to say
+thee sooth. My head be in pledge, that I have said thee sooth, without
+leasing, of thy loved queen, and of Modred, thy sister's son, how he
+hath taken Britain from thee."
+
+Then sate it all still in Arthur's hall; then was there sorrow with
+the good king; then were the British men therefore exceedingly
+dispirited. Then after a while voices there stirred; wide men might
+hear the Britons' clamour, and gan to tell in speeches of many kind,
+how they would destroy Modred and the queen, and slay all the people
+that held with Modred.
+
+Arthur then called, fairest of all Britons: "Sit ye down still,
+knights in hall, and I will you tell strange discourse. Now to-morrow,
+when it is day, and the Lord it sendeth, forth I will march in toward
+Britain; and Modred I will slay, and burn the queen; and all I will
+destroy, that approved the treachery. And here I will leave the
+dearest of men to me, Howel, my loved relative, noblest of my kin; and
+half my army I will leave in this land, to maintain all this kingdom,
+that I have in my hand. And when these things are all done, back I
+will come to Rome, and deliver my fair land to Walwain my relation;
+and afterwards perform my threat, by my bare life; all my enemies
+shall be destroyed!"
+
+Then stood him up Walwain, who was Arthur's relative, and said these
+words,--the earl was incensed: "Almighty God! ruler of dooms, guardian
+of all middle-earth! Why is it befallen, that my brother Modred this
+sin has wrought? But to-day I forsake him here, before this assembly;
+and I will him destroy with the Lord's will; myself I will him hang,
+highest of all wretches; the queen I will, with God's law, draw all in
+pieces with horses. For may I never be blithe, the while I am alive,
+until I have avenged mine uncle with the best!"
+
+Then answered the Britons with bold voice: "All our weapons are ready;
+now to-morrow we shall march!" On the morrow when it was day, and the
+Lord it sent, Arthur forth him moved, with his good folk; half he it
+left, and half it forth led. Forth he marched through the land until
+he came to Whitsand; ships he had soon, many and excellent; but full a
+fortnight there lay the host, abiding the weather, deprived of wind
+(becalmed).
+
+Now was there some wicked knight in Arthur's army, anon as he heard it
+determined of Modred's death, he took his swain quickly, and sent to
+this land; and sent word to Wenhaver, how it had happened, and how
+Arthur was on his march, with a great host, and how he would take on,
+and all how he would do. The queen came to Modred, who was to her
+dearest of men, and told him tiding of Arthur the king, how he would
+take on, and all how he would do.
+
+Modred took his messengers, and sent to Saxland, after Childrich, who
+was king most powerful, and bade him come to Britain--thereof he
+should have possession. Modred bade Childrich, the strong and the
+rich, to send messengers wide, on the four sides of Saxland, and bid
+all the knights that they might get, that they should come soon to
+this kingdom; and he would to Childrich give part of his realm, all
+beyond the Humber; because he should him help to fight against his
+uncle King Arthur. Childrich proceeded soon into Britain. When Modred
+had assembled his host of men, then were there told sixty thousand
+hardy warriors of heathen folk, when they were come hither, for
+Arthur's harm, and to help Modred, wickedest of men! When the army was
+gathered of each people, then were they there in a heap an hundred
+thousand, heathens and christians, with Modred the king.
+
+Arthur lay at Whitsand; a fortnight seemed to him too long; and Modred
+knew all what Arthur there would; each day came messengers to him from
+the king's army. Then befell it on a time, much rain it gan to rain,
+and the wind it gan to turn, and stood from the east end. And Arthur
+proceeded to ship with all his host, and ordered that his shipmen
+should bring him to Romney, where he thought to come up into this
+land. When he came to the haven, Modred was opposite to him, as the
+day gan light, they began to fight, all the day long; many a man dead
+there lay! Some they fought on land, some by the strand; some they let
+fly sharp spears out of the ships. Walwain went before, and cleared
+the way; and slew there soon eleven thanes; he slew Childrich's son,
+who was come there with his father. To rest went the sun; woe was then
+to the men! There was Walwain slain, and deprived of life-day, through
+a Saxish earl--sorry be his soul! Then was Arthur sorry, and sorrowful
+therefore in heart; and these words said, mightiest of all Britons:
+"Now I have lost my loved swains! I knew by my dream, what sorrow were
+given to me! Slain is Angel the king, who was mine own darling, and
+Walwain, my sister's son--woe is me that I was born man! Up now from
+ship, quickly, my brave knights!"
+
+Even with the words sixty thousand good warriors pressed anon to the
+fight, and brake Modred's ranks, and well nigh himself was taken.
+Modred began to flee, and his folk to follow after; they fled
+exceedingly, the fields eke trembled; the stones jar with the
+blood-streams! There would have been all the fight ended, but the
+night came too soon; if the night had not been, they all would have
+been slain!
+
+The night separated them over slades and over downs; and Modred came
+so far forth, that he was at London. The burghmen heard how it had all
+fared, and denied him entry, and all his folk. Modred thence went
+toward Winchester; and they him received, with all his men. And Arthur
+pursued after, with all his might, until he came to Winchester, with a
+mickle host, and the burgh all besieged; and Modred therein abode.
+When Modred saw that Arthur was so nigh to him, oft he bethought him
+what he might do. Then on the same night, he ordered all his knights,
+with all their weapons, to march out of the burgh; and said that he
+would with fight there make a stand. He promised the burghmen free law
+evermore, on condition that they should help him at his great need.
+
+When it was daylight, then ready was their fight. Arthur that
+perceived--the king was enraged; he caused trumpets to be blown, and
+men to be assembled to battle; he commanded all his thanes, and his
+noble knights, together to take the fight, and fell his enemies, and
+the burgh all to destroy, and hang the burgh-folk. They stept
+together, and sternly fought. Modred then thought what he might do;
+and he did there as he did elsewhere, treachery with the most! For
+ever he did wickedly; he betrayed his comrades before Winchester, and
+caused his dearest knights to be called to him anon, and his dearest
+friends all, of all his folk; and stole away from the fight--the fiend
+him have!--and let the good folk all there perish. They fought all
+day; they weened that their lord there lay, and were near them at
+their great need. Then bent he the way that toward Hampton lay; and
+bent toward the haven--wickedest of men--and took all the ships that
+there good were, and all the steersmen, to the need of the ships; and
+proceeded into Cornwall--wickedest of kings in those days! And Arthur
+besieged well firmly Winchester the burgh; and slew all the
+people--there was sorrow enow--the young and the old, all he killed.
+When the folk was all dead, and the burgh all burnt, then caused he
+withal all the walls to be broken in pieces. Then was it there come to
+pass, that Merlin whilom said:
+
+"Wretched shalt thou be, Winchester! the earth shall thee swallow!" So
+Merlin said, who was a great prophet.
+
+The queen lay in York; never was she so sorrowful; that was Wenhaver
+the queen, most miserable of women! She heard say sooth words, how
+often Modred fled, and how Arthur him pursued; woe was to her the
+while, that she was alive! Out of York she went by night, and toward
+Kaerleon drew, as quickly as she might; thither she brought by night
+two of her knights; and men covered her head with a holy veil, and she
+was there a nun; woman most wretched! Then men knew not of the queen,
+where she were gone, nor many years afterwards man knew it in sooth,
+whether she were dead, or whether she herself were sunk in the water.
+
+Modred was in Cornwall, and gathered many knights; to Ireland he sent
+his messengers quickly; to Saxland he sent his messengers quickly; to
+Scotland he sent his messengers quickly; he ordered them all to come
+anon, that would have land, or silver, or gold, or possessions, or
+land; in each wise he warned himself each man;--so doth each prudent
+man upon whom cometh need.
+
+Arthur that heard, wrathest of kings, that Modred was in Cornwall with
+a mickle army, and there would abide until Arthur approached. Arthur
+sent messengers over all his kingdom, and bade all to come that was
+alive in land, that to fight were good, weapons to bear; and whoso it
+neglected, that the king commanded, the king would him all consume
+alive in the land. Innumerable folk it came toward the host, riding
+and on foot, as the rain down falleth!
+
+Arthur marched to Cornwall, with an immense army. Modred heard that,
+and advanced against him with innumerable folk--there were many fated!
+Upon the Tambre they came together; the place hight Camelford,
+evermore lasted the same word. And at Camelford was assembled sixty
+thousand men, and more thousands thereto; Modred was their chief. Then
+thitherward gan ride Arthur the mighty, with innumerable folk--fated
+though it were! Upon the Tambre they encountered together; elevated
+their standards; advanced together; drew their long swords, and smote
+on the helms; fire out sprang; spears splintered; shields gan shiver;
+shafts brake in pieces! There fought all together innumerable folk!
+Tambre was in flood with blood to excess; there might no man in the
+fight know any warrior, nor who did worse, nor who did better, so was
+the conflict mingled! For each slew downright, were he swain, were he
+knight. There was Modred slain, and deprived of life-day, and all his
+knights slain in the fight. There were slain all the brave, Arthur's
+warriors, high and low, and all the Britons of Arthur's board, and all
+his dependants, of many kingdoms. And Arthur himself wounded with a
+broad slaughter-spear; fifteen dreadful wounds he had; in the least
+one might thrust two gloves! Then was there no more remained in the
+fight, of two hundred thousand men that there lay hewed in pieces,
+except Arthur the king alone, and two of his knights.
+
+Arthur was wounded wondrously much. There came to him a lad, who was
+of his kindred; he was Cador's son, the Earl of Cornwall; Constantine
+the lad hight, he was dear to the king. Arthur looked on him, where he
+lay on the ground, and said these words, with sorrowful heart:
+"Constantine, thou art welcome; thou wert Cador's son. I give thee
+here my kingdom, and defend thou my Britons ever in thy life, and
+maintain them all the laws that have stood in my days, and all the
+good laws that in Uther's days stood. And I will fare to Avalun, to
+the fairest of all maidens, to Argante the queen, an elf most fair,
+and she shall make my wounds all sound; make me all whole with healing
+draughts. And afterwards I will come again to my kingdom, and dwell
+with the Britons with mickle joy."
+
+Even with the words there approached from the sea that was a short
+boat, floating with the waves; and two women therein, wondrously
+formed; and they took Arthur anon, and bare him quickly, and laid him
+softly down, and forth they gan depart.
+
+Then was it accomplished that Merlin whilom said, that mickle care
+should be of Arthur's departure. The Britons believe yet that he is
+alive, and dwelleth in Avalun with the fairest of all elves; and the
+Britons ever yet expect when Arthur shall return. Was never the man
+born, of ever any lady chosen, that knoweth of the sooth, to say more
+of Arthur. But whilom was a sage hight Merlin; he said with words--his
+sayings were sooth--that an Arthur should yet come to help the
+English.
+
+
+
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