When King Lot had espied King Bors, he knew him well, then he
said, O Jesu, defend us from death and horrible maims! for I see well
we be in great peril of death; for I see yonder a king, one of the most
worshipfullest men and one of the best knights of the world, is inclined
unto his fellowship. What is he? said the King with the Hundred Knights.
It is, said King Lot, King Bors of Gaul; I marvel how they came into
this country without witting of us all. It was by Merlin's advice, said
the knight. As for him, said King Carados, I will encounter with King
Bors, an ye will rescue me when myster is. Go on, said they all, we will
do all that we may. Then King Carados and his host rode on a soft pace,
till that they came as nigh King Bors as bow-draught; then either battle
let their horse run as fast as they might. And Bleoberis, that was
godson unto King Bors, he bare his chief standard, that was a passing
good knight. Now shall we see, said King Bors, how these northern
Britons can bear the arms: and King Bors encountered with a knight, and
smote him throughout with a spear that he fell dead unto the earth; and
after drew his sword and did marvellous deeds of arms, that all parties
had great wonder thereof; and his knights failed not, but did their
part, and King Carados was smitten to the earth. With that came the King
with the Hundred Knights and rescued King Carados mightily by force of
arms, for he was a passing good knight of a king, and but a young man.

CHAPTER XVI. Yet more of the same battle.

BY then came into the field King Ban as fierce as a lion, with bands of
green and thereupon gold. Ha! a! said King Lot, we must be discomfited,
for yonder I see the most valiant knight of the world, and the man of
the most renown, for such two brethren as is King Ban and King Bors are
not living, wherefore we must needs void or die; and but if we avoid
manly and wisely there is but death. When King Ban came into the battle,
he came in so fiercely that the strokes redounded again from the wood
and the water; wherefore King Lot wept for pity and dole that he saw so
many good knights take their end. But through the great force of King
Ban they made both the northern battles that were departed hurtled
together for great dread; and the three kings and their knights slew on
ever, that it was pity on to behold that multitude of the people that
fled. But King Lot, and King of the Hundred Knights, and King Morganore
gathered the