" said Balin, "all this was caused by an unhappy knight in the
castle, that made me leave mine own shield, to the destruction of us
both."

Then anon Balan died, and at midnight after, Balin; so both were buried
together, and the lady of the castle had Balan's name written on the
tomb and how he was there slain by his brother's hand, but she knew not
Balin's name. In the morn came Merlin and wrote Balin's inscription
also in letters of gold: "Here lieth Balin the Wild, that smote the
dolorous stroke."

Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the
dolorous stroke that Balin gave King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan
fought together the most marvellous battle that ever was heard of, and
how they buried both in one tomb. "Alas!" said King Arthur; "this is
the greatest pity that ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the
world I know not such two knights."

Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
Northumberland, good knights both.

CHAPTER V

THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE ROUND TABLE

Arthur was indeed king, but enemies long held out against his just
authority. When he went into Wales to be crowned at the city of
Carlion, he let cry a great feast to be holden at Pentecost. Unto this
feast came the six kings of that region with many of their knights, and
Arthur thought it was to do him honour. But when he made joy of their
coming and sent them great presents, the kings would none receive, and
said they had no joy to receive gifts of a beardless boy that was come
of low birth. They sent him word that they were come to give him gifts
with hard swords betwixt the neck and the shoulders, for it was great
shame to all of them to see such a boy have rule of so noble a realm as
this land was.

This answer was told King Arthur, who now betook himself to a strong
tower and five hundred good men with him. Here the six kings laid
siege to him, but he was well victualled; and soon Merlin came and bade
him fear not, but speak boldly to his enemies, "for," said he, "ye
shall overcome them all, whether they will or nill."

So the King armed himself and all his knights and came out to do battle
with his enemies. Then three hundred good men of the best that were
with the kings went straight over unto King Arthur, which comforted him
greatly. So he set upon the hosts of the six kings, and he and his men
did marvellous deeds of arms. Therewith he put them back, and then the