Anon as it was even forth they marched; twelve knights them led of the people that were exceeding wary, and knew the ways.  When the Rome-folk rode, resounded burnies; they set on their heads high helms; shields on their backs—­the valiant Rome-folk.  They marched all night, exceedingly fast, until they came in the way that into Paris lay; then were they before, and the Britons behind.  But alas! that Cador the keen knew it not, that the Rome-folk had before rode them!  They came in a wood, in a spot exceeding fair, in a deep dale, dark on the sides; they swore between them, that there they would engage.  There they lay still a little while; and it gan to dawn, and the beasts gan to stir.  Then came Arthur’s men advancing by way, right the same way where the other host lay; they rode singing—­the men were blithe!  Nevertheless Cador was there, most wise and most wary; he and Borel the earl rich, advanced them together, and took between them five hundred knights, and marched before, weaponed champions.  Richer and Beduer came behind them there, and led the knights, whom they had captured, Petreius and his companions, who were taken.  Then came they riding upon the Rome-folk; and the Rome-folk rushed towards them with fierce strength, and smote on the Britons with exceeding bitter blows; brake the Britons’ ranks—­mischief was among the folk—­the wood gan resound, warriors there fell!  The Britons withstood them, and strongly defended themselves.  Richer heard that, and the earl Beduer, how their comrades before them fought.  Petreius they took, and all their prisoners, and with three hundred swains sent them into the wood.  And they themselves advanced toward their comrades, and smote on the Rome-folk with fierce strength; there was many a blow given, and many a man there was slain.  Then perceived Evander, who was a heathen king most wary, that their folk gan wax, and the Britons gan wane; and his best knights approached them together, and advanced upon the Britons, as if they would them bite.  The Britons then were weakened, and theirs was the worse; they (the Romans) slew, they took all that they came nigh.

Woe was there to the Britons without Arthur!  Their remedy was too little there, at their great need.  There was Borel slam, and deprived of life-day.  Evander the king him killed with his wicked craft, and three Britons eke, high men born.  There were slain three hundred of their companions; and many they took alive, and fast them bound;—­then knew they not any good counsel, for they all weened to be dead; nevertheless they fought as bravely as they might.

Then had out marched from Arthur’s host the king of Poitou, hardy man renowned; Guitard he hight; Gascony he possessed; he had for companions five hundred riders, three hundred archers, keen men to fight, and seven hundred on foot that were prompt for harm.  They were gone in to the land to obtain fodder, both fodder and meat, to carry to their host.  The clamour they heard of the Rome-folk, their deeds they