第 十六 章 · Yet of the same battle.

. Yet of the same battle.

Then Lucas saw King Agwisance, that late had slain Moris de la Roche,

and Lucas ran to him with a short spear that was great, that he gave

him such a fall, that the horse fell down to the earth. Also Lucas

found there on foot, Bloias de La Flandres, and Sir Gwinas, two hardy

knights, and in that woodness that Lucas was in, he slew two bachelors

and horsed them again. Then waxed the battle passing hard on both

parties, but Arthur was glad that his knights were horsed again, and

then they fought together, that the noise and sound rang by the water

and the wood. Wherefore King Ban and King Bors made them ready, and

dressed their shields and harness, and they were so courageous that

many knights shook and bevered for eagerness. All this while Lucas, and

Gwinas, and Briant, and Bellias of Flanders, held strong medley against

six kings, that was King Lot, King Nentres, King Brandegoris, King

Idres, King Uriens, and King Agwisance. So with the help of Sir Kay and

of Sir Griflet they held these six kings hard, that unnethe they had

any power to defend them. But when Sir Arthur saw the battle would not

be ended by no manner, he fared wood as a lion, and steered his horse

here and there, on the right hand, and on the left hand, that he

stinted not till he had slain twenty knights. Also he wounded King Lot

sore on the shoulder, and made him to leave that ground, for Sir Kay

and Griflet did with King Arthur there great deeds of arms. Then

Ulfius, and Brastias, and Sir Ector encountered against the Duke

Eustace, and King Cradelment, and King Clariance of Northumberland, and

King Carados, and against the King with the Hundred Knights. So these

knights encountered with these kings, that they made them to avoid the

ground. Then King Lot made great dole for his damages and his fellows,

and said unto the ten kings, But if ye will do as I devise we shall be

slain and destroyed; let me have the King with the Hundred Knights, and

King Agwisance, and King Idres, and the Duke of Cambenet, and we five

kings will have fifteen thousand men of arms with us, and we will go

apart while ye six kings hold medley with twelve thousand; an we see

that ye have foughten with them long, then will we come on fiercely,

and else shall we never match them, said King Lot, but by this mean. So

they departed as they here devised, and six kings made their party

strong against Arthur, and made great war long.

In the meanwhile brake the ambushment of King Ban and King Bors, and

Lionses and Phariance had the vanguard, and they two knights met with

King Idres and his fellowship, and there began a great medley of

breaking of spears, and smiting of swords, with slaying of men and

horses, and King Idres was near at discomforture.

That saw Agwisance the king, and put Lionses and Phariance in point of

death; for the Duke of Cambenet came on withal with a great fellowship.

So these two knights were in great danger of their lives that they were

fain to return, but always they rescued themselves and their fellowship

marvellously. When King Bors saw those knights put aback, it grieved

him sore; then he came on so fast that his fellowship seemed as black

as Inde. When King Lot had espied King Bors, he knew him well, then he

said, O Jesu, defend us from death and horrible maims! for I see well

we be in great peril of death; for I see yonder a king, one of the most

worshipfullest men and one of the best knights of the world, is

inclined unto his fellowship. What is he? said the King with the

Hundred Knights. It is, said King Lot, King Bors of Gaul; I marvel how

they came into this country without witting of us all. It was by

Merlin’s advice, said the knight. As for him, said King Carados, I will

encounter with King Bors, an ye will rescue me when myster is. Go on,

said they all, we will do all that we may. Then King Carados and his

host rode on a soft pace, till that they came as nigh King Bors as

bow-draught; then either battle let their horse run as fast as they

might. And Bleoberis, that was godson unto King Bors, he bare his chief

standard, that was a passing good knight. Now shall we see, said King

Bors, how these northern Britons can bear the arms: and King Bors

encountered with a knight, and smote him throughout with a spear that

he fell dead unto the earth; and after drew his sword and did

marvellous deeds of arms, that all parties had great wonder thereof;

and his knights failed not, but did their part, and King Carados was

smitten to the earth. With that came the King with the Hundred Knights

and rescued King Carados mightily by force of arms, for he was a

passing good knight of a king, and but a young man.