him all in pieces, and
prayed for the soul, that never should good be to it. Thus the British
women killed many thousands, and thus they freed this kingdom of Wanis
and of Melga.

And Constantin the brave marched to Silchester, and held there his
husting of all his British thanes, all the Britons came to the
meeting, and took Constantin the noble, and made him king of Britain--
much was then the mirth that was among men. And afterwards they gave
him a wife, one wondrous fair, born of the highest, of Britain the
best of all. By this noble wife Constantin had in this land three
little sons. The first son had well nigh his father's name; Constantin
hight the king, Constance hight the child. When this child was waxed,
that it could ride, then his father caused him to be made a monk,
through counsel of wicked men, and the child was a monk in Winchester.
After him was born another, who was the middle brother, he was named
Aurelius, his surname hight Ambrosius. Then was last of all born a
child that was well disposed, he was named Uther, his virtues were
strong; he was the youngest brother, but he lived longer than the
others.

Guencelm the archbishop, who toward God was full good, took charge of
the two children, for love of the king. But alas! that their father
might live no longer!--for he had good laws the while that he lived;
but he was king here but twelve years, and then was the king
dead--hearken now through what chance. He had in his house a Peoht,
fair knight and most brave; he fared with the king, and with all his
thanes by no other wise but as it were his brother. Then became he so
potent, to all his companions unlike; then thought he to betray
Constantin the powerful. He came before the king, and fell on his
knees, and thus lied the traitor before his lord: "Lord king, come
forthright, and speak with Cadal thy knight, and I will thee tell of
strange speeches, such as thou never ere on earth heardest."

Then arose the king Constantin, and went forth out with him. But alas!
that Constantin's knights knew it not! They proceeded so long forward
that they came in an orchard. Then said the traitor there: "Lord, be
we here." The traitor sat down, as if he would hold secret discourse,
and he approached to the king, as a man doth in whispering. He grasped
a knife very long, and the king therewith he pierced into the heart;
and he himself escaped--there the king dead lay, and the traitor fled
away.

The tidings came t