ilchester; there it seemed good to him; there was the host
of Britons boldly assembled. Great was the bliss when Arthur came to
the burgh; then was blast of trumpets, and men most glad; there they
raised to be king Arthur the young.

When Arthur was king--hearken now a marvellous thing;--he was liberal
to each man alive, knight with the best, wondrously keen! He was to
the young for father, to the old for comforter, and with the unwise
wonderfully stern, wrong was to him exceeding loathsome, and the right
ever dear. Each of his cupbearers, and of his chamber-thanes, and his
chamber-knights, bare gold in hand, to back and to bed, clad with gold
web. He had never any cook, that he was not champion most good; never
any knight's swam, that he was not bold thane! The king held all his
folk together with great bliss, and with such things he overcame all
kings, with fierce strength and with treasure. Such were his
qualities, that all folk it knew. Now was Arthur good king, his people
loved him, eke it was known wide, of his kingdom.

The king held in London a mickle husting; thereto were arrived all his
knights, rich men and poor, to honour the king. When that it was all
come, a numerous folk, up arose Arthur noblest of kings, and caused to
be brought before him reliques well choice, and thereto the king gan
soon to kneel thrice,--his people knew not what he would pronounce.
Arthur held up his right hand, an oath he there swore, that never by
his life, for no man's lore, should the Saxons become blithe in
Britain, nor be landholders, nor enjoy worship, but he would drive
them out, for they were at enmity with him. For they slew Uther
Pendragon, who was son of Constance, so they did the other, Aurelie,
his brother, therefore they were in land loathest of all folk. Arthur
forth-right took his wise knights, were it lief to them were it loath
to them, they all swore the same oath, that they would truly hold with
Arthur, and avenge the King Uther, whom the Saxons killed here. Arthur
sent his writs wide over his land, after all the knights that he might
obtain, that they full soon should come to the king, and he would in
land lovingly maintain them; reward them with land, with silver and
with gold. Forth went the king with a numerous host, he led a
surprising multitude, and marched right to York. There he lay one
night, on the morrow he proceeded forth-right where he knew Colgrim to
be, and his comrades with him.

Since Octa was