e same battle, and how it was ended by
Merlin.

WHEN Sir Arthur and King Ban and Bors beheld them and all their knights,
they praised them much for their noble cheer of chivalry, for the
hardiest fighters that ever they heard or saw. With that, there dressed
them a forty noble knights, and said unto the three kings, they would
break their battle; these were their names: Lionses, Phariance, Ulfius,
Brastias, Ector, Kay, Lucas the butler, Griflet le Fise de Dieu, Mariet
de la Roche, Guinas de Bloi, Briant de la Forest Savage, Bellaus,
Morians of the Castle [of] Maidens, Flannedrius of the Castle of Ladies,
Annecians that was King Bors' godson, a noble knight, Ladinas de la
Rouse, Emerause, Caulas, Graciens le Castlein, one Blois de la Case, and
Sir Colgrevaunce de Gorre; all these knights rode on afore with spears
on their thighs, and spurred their horses mightily as the horses might
run. And the eleven kings with part of their knights rushed with their
horses as fast as they might with their spears, and there they did on
both parties marvellous deeds of arms. So came into the thick of the
press, Arthur, Ban, and Bors, and slew down right on both hands, that
their horses went in blood up to the fetlocks. But ever the eleven kings
and their host was ever in the visage of Arthur. Wherefore Ban and Bors
had great marvel, considering the great slaughter that there was, but
at the last they were driven aback over a little river. With that came
Merlin on a great black horse, and said unto Arthur, Thou hast never
done! Hast thou not done enough? of three score thousand this day hast
thou left alive but fifteen thousand, and it is time to say Ho! For God
is wroth with thee, that thou wilt never have done; for yonder eleven
kings at this time will not be overthrown, but an thou tarry on them
any longer, thy fortune will turn and they shall increase. And therefore
withdraw you unto your lodging, and rest you as soon as ye may, and
reward your good knights with gold and with silver, for they have well
deserved it; there may no riches be too dear for them, for of so few men
as ye have, there were never men did more of prowess than they have done
today, for ye have matched this day with the best fighters of the world.
That is truth, said King Ban and Bors. Also said Merlin, withdraw you
where ye list, for this three year I dare undertake they shall not dere
you; and by then ye shall hear new tidings. And then Merlin said unto
Arthur,