y be at Rome.
And I suppose the Romans shall beware how they shall demand any tribute
of me. And I command you to say when ye shall come to Rome, to the
Potestate and all the Council and Senate, that I send to them these
dead bodies for the tribute that they have demanded. And if they be not
content with these, I shall pay more at my coming, for other tribute
owe I none, nor none other will I pay. And methinketh this sufficeth for
Britain, Ireland and all Almaine with Germany. And furthermore, I charge
you to say to them, that I command them upon pain of their heads never
to demand tribute nor tax of me nor of my lands. Then with this charge
and commandment, the three senators aforesaid departed with all the said
dead bodies, laying the body of Lucius in a car covered with the arms of
the Empire all alone; and after alway two bodies of kings in a chariot,
and then the bodies of the senators after them, and so went toward
Rome, and showed their legation and message to the Potestate and Senate,
recounting the battle done in France, and how the field was lost and
much people and innumerable slain. Wherefore they advised them in no
wise to move no more war against that noble conqueror Arthur, for his
might and prowess is most to be doubted, seen the noble kings and great
multitude of knights of the Round Table, to whom none earthly prince may
compare.

CHAPTER IX How Arthur, after he had achieved the battle against the
Romans, entered into Almaine, and so into Italy.

NOW turn we unto King Arthur and his noble knights, which, after the
great battle achieved against the Romans, entered into Lorraine, Brabant
and Flanders, and sithen returned into Haut Almaine, and so over the
mountains into Lombardy, and after, into Tuscany wherein was a city
which in no wise would yield themself nor obey, wherefore King Arthur
besieged it, and lay long about it, and gave many assaults to the city;
and they within defended them valiantly. Then, on a time, the king
called Sir Florence, a knight, and said to him they lacked victual, And
not far from hence be great forests and woods, wherein be many of mine
enemies with much bestial: I will that thou make thee ready and go
thither in foraying, and take with thee Sir Gawaine my nephew, Sir
Wisshard, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond, and the Captain of Cardiff with
other, and bring with you all the beasts that ye there can get.

And anon these knights made them ready, and rode over holts and hil