ders: and therefore they came thither, so they told to the
messengers plainly, for it was great shame to all them to see such a boy
to have a rule of so noble a realm as this land was. With this answer
the messengers departed and told to King Arthur this answer. Wherefore,
by the advice of his barons, he took him to a strong tower with five
hundred good men with him. And all the kings aforesaid in a manner laid
a siege to-fore him, but King Arthur was well victualed. And within
fifteen days there came Merlin among them into the city of Carlion. Then
all the kings were passing glad of Merlin, and asked him, For what cause
is that boy Arthur made your king? Sirs, said Merlin, I shall tell you
the cause, for he is King Uther Pendragon's son, born in wedlock, gotten
on Igraine, the duke's wife of Tintagil. Then is he a bastard, they said
all. Nay, said Merlin, after the death of the duke, more than three
hours, was Arthur begotten, and thirteen days after King Uther wedded
Igraine; and therefore I prove him he is no bastard. And who saith nay,
he shall be king and overcome all his enemies; and, or he die, he shall
be long king of all England, and have under his obeissance Wales,
Ireland, and Scotland, and more realms than I will now rehearse. Some of
the kings had marvel of Merlin's words, and deemed well that it should
be as he said; and some of them laughed him to scorn, as King Lot; and
more other called him a witch. But then were they accorded with Merlin,
that King Arthur should come out and speak with the kings, and to come
safe and to go safe, such surance there was made. So Merlin went unto
King Arthur, and told him how he had done, and bade him fear not, but
come out boldly and speak with them, and spare them not, but answer them
as their king and chieftain; for ye shall overcome them all, whether
they will or nill.

CHAPTER IX. 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 he would make them to bow an
he lived. Wherefore they departed with wrath, and King Arthur bade keep
them well, and they bade the king keep hi