e the messengers gifts, and
to take them safely out of the country. Sir Lancelot conducted
them to the sea, where they took ship and sailed to France. On
they journeyed over the Alps and into Italy. When they told the
emperor of Rome their message, he said:

"I had thought Arthur would yield."

But the messengers said:

"Sir, his face would have told you, if you had seen it, that he
would never yield. In truth, there is need of fear, for he is a
great king and surrounded by great knights."

"This is foolish talk," the emperor said. "Remember that we are
Romans. We have ruled the world for centuries, and a little king
of little England shall not make us fear. You say that he is
coming to fight with us. We will take a few troops and go
forthwith to France to meet him."

The messengers begged the emperor to take many troops.

"My lord emperor," they said, "these men of Arthur are very
numerous and very brave."

So at last the emperor brought all his men to France, and there,
whenever he found people who were loyal to Arthur, he killed and
laid waste.

Meanwhile, Arthur had gathered together all his troops. He bade
farewell to Queen Guinevere, who was so grieved that she fell in
a swoon. Then he rode off at the head of his men till they came
to the sea, and there they embarked in ten thousand boats and
sailed to France.

They marched till they came near to the troops of the emperor of
Rome, where they rested for the night. In the morning they rose
at dawn and looked at the Roman legions. These were encamped in a
green field which glittered with the gold on their tents and
armor. The emperor's tent was of purple silk and bore on the top
a golden eagle, the emblem of Rome.

Two of Arthur's knights, Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain, rode out to
the emperor, and told him that their king had come.

"That I see," said the emperor laughing, "and he shall soon
return."

The two knights made no answer, but rode back to Arthur. Soon all
the soldiers on each side made ready for fighting. The preparation
was careful, for they knew that the contest was to be a great
one. The emperor of Rome addressed his soldiers:

"Romans, remember that Rome is the chief city of the world. I do
not say fight as men; I say to you, fight as Romans. Then you
will surely conquer these Britains."

King Arthur galloped up and down before the front rank of his
men, looking at them carefully. He was on a beautiful white horse
whose mane rose a