_How twelve knights came from Rome and asked truage for this land of
Arthur, and how Arthur fought with a knight._
When the knight saw him lie so on the ground he alighted, and was
passing heavy, for he wend he had slain him, and then he unlaced his
helm and gat him wind, and so with the truncheon he set him on his
horse and gat him wind, and so betook him to God, and said he had a
mighty heart, and if he might live he would prove a passing good
knight. And so Sir Griflet rode to the court, where great dole was made
for him. But through good leeches he was healed and saved.
Right so came into the court twelve knights, and were aged men, and
they came from the emperor of Rome, and they asked of Arthur truage for
this realm, other else the emperor would destroy him and his land.
Well, said king Arthur, ye are messagers, therefore may ye say what ye
will, other else ye should die therefore. But this is mine answer; I
owe the emperor no truage, nor none will I hold him; but on a fair
field I shall give him my truage, that shall be with a sharp spear or
else with a sharp sword, and that shall not be long, by my father’s
soul, Uther Pendragon. And therewith the messagers departed passingly
wroth, and king Arthur as wroth, for in evil time came they then, for
the king was passingly wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet. And so he
commanded a privyman of his chamber, that or it be day his best horse
and armour, with all that belongeth unto his person, be without the
city or to-morrow day. Right so, or to-morrow day, he met with his man
and his horse, and so mounted up, and dressed his shield, and took his
spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again.
And so Arthur rode a soft pace till it was day, and then was he aware
of three churls chasing Merlin, and would have slain him. Then the king
rode unto them and bade them, Flee churls! Then were they afeard when
they saw a knight, and fled. O Merlin, said Arthur, here haddest thou
been slain for all thy crafts, had I not been. Nay, said Merlin, not
so, for I could save myself an I would, and thou art more near thy
death than I am, for thou goest to the death-ward, and God be not thy
friend. So as they went thus talking they came to the fountain, and the
rich pavilion there by it. Then king Arthur was ware where sat a knight
armed in a chair. Sir knight, said Arthur, for what cause abidest thou
here, that there may no knight ride this way but if he just with thee,
said the king: I rede thee leave that custom, said Arthur. This custom,
said the knight, have I used and will use maugre who saith nay; and who
is grieved with my custom let him amend it that will. I will amend it,
said Arthur. I shall defend thee, said the knight. Anon he took his
horse, and dressed his shield, and took a spear, and they met so hard
either in other’s shields that they all to-shivered their spears.
Therewith Arthur anon pulled out his sword. Nay, not so, said the
knight, it is fairer that we twain run more together with sharp spears.
I will well, said Arthur, and I had any more spears. I have enow, said
the knight. So there came a squire, and brought two good spears, and
Arthur chose one and he another, so they spurred their horses, and came
together with all their mights, that either brake their spears to their
hands. Then Arthur set hand on his sword. Nay, said the knight, ye
shall do better; ye are a passing good juster as ever I met withal, and
once for the love of the high order of knighthood let us just once
again. I assent me, said Arthur. Anon there were brought two great
spears, and every knight gat a spear, and therewith they ran together
that Arthur’s spear all to-shivered. But the other knight hit him so
hard in midst of the shield that horse and man fell to the earth, and
therewith Arthur was eager, and pulled out his sword, and said, I will
assay thee, Sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the honour on
horseback. I will be on horseback, said the knight. Then was Arthur
wroth, and dressed his shield towards him with his sword drawn. When
the knight saw that, he alight, for him thought no worship to have a
knight at such avail, he to be on horseback, and he on foot, and so he
alight and dressed his shield unto Arthur. And there began a strong
battle with many great strokes, and so hewed with their swords that the
cantels flew in the fields, and much blood they bled both, that all the
place there as they fought was over-bled with blood, and thus they
fought long, and rested them, and then they went to the battle again,
and so hurtled together like two rams that either fell to the earth. So
at the last they smote together, that both their swords met even
together. But the sword of the knight smote king Arthur’s sword in two
pieces, wherefore he was heavy. Then said the knight unto Arthur, Thou
art in my danger whether me list to save thee or slay thee, and but
thou yield thee as overcome and recreant thou shalt die. As for death,
said king Arthur, welcome be it when it cometh; but to yield me unto
thee as recreant I had lever die than to be so shamed. And therewithal
the king leapt unto Pellinore, and took him by the middle, and threw
him down, and rased off his helmet. When the knight felt that he was
adread, for he was a passing big man of might, and anon he brought
Arthur under him, and rased off his helm, and would have smitten off
his head.