_Of the first war that king Arthur had, and how he won the field._
Then king Arthur came out of his tower, and had under his gown a
jesseraunt of double mail, and there went with him the archbishop of
Canterbury, and Sir Baudwin of Britain, and Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias:
these were the men of most worship that were with him. And when they
were met there was no meekness, but stout words on both sides: but
always king Arthur answered them, and said that he would make them to
bow and he lived. Wherefore they departed with wrath, and king Arthur
bade keep them well, and they bade the king keep him well. So the king
returned him to the tower again, and armed him and all his knights.
What will ye do? said Merlin to the kings: ye were better for to stint,
for ye shall not here prevail though ye were ten so many. Be we well
advised to be afraid of a dream-reader? said king Lot. With that Merlin
vanished away, and came to king Arthur, and bade him set on them
fiercely; and in the meanwhile there were three hundred good men of the
best that were with the kings that went straight unto king Arthur, and
that comforted him greatly. Sir, said Merlin to Arthur, fight not with
the sword that ye had by miracle, till that ye see ye go unto the
worse, then draw it out and do your best. So forthwithal king Arthur
set upon them in their lodging. And Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir
Brastias slew on the right hand and on the left hand that it was
marvellous: and always king Arthur on horseback laid on with a sword,
and did marvellous deeds of arms, that many of the kings had great joy
of his deeds and hardiness. Then king Lot brake out on the back side,
and the king with the hundred knights, and king Carados, and set on
Arthur fiercely behind him. With that Sir Arthur turned with his
knights and smote behind and before, and ever Sir Arthur was in the
foremost press till his horse was slain underneath him. And therewith
king Lot smote down king Arthur. With that his four knights received
him, and set him on horseback. Then he drew his sword Excalibur, but it
was so bright in his enemies’ eyes, that it gave light like thirty
torches. And therewith he put them on back, and slew much people. And
then the commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves, and slew many
knights; but all the kings held them together with their knights that
were left alive, and so fled and departed. And Merlin came unto Arthur,
and counselled him to follow them no farther.