Then sate it all still in Arthur’s hall; then was there sorrow with the good king; then were the British men therefore exceedingly dispirited.  Then after a while voices there stirred; wide men might hear the Britons’ clamour, and gan to tell in speeches of many kind, how they would destroy Modred and the queen, and slay all the people that held with Modred.

Arthur then called, fairest of all Britons:  “Sit ye down still, knights in hall, and I will you tell strange discourse.  Now to-morrow, when it is day, and the Lord it sendeth, forth I will march in toward Britain; and Modred I will slay, and burn the queen; and all I will destroy, that approved the treachery.  And here I will leave the dearest of men to me, Howel, my loved relative, noblest of my kin; and half my army I will leave in this land, to maintain all this kingdom, that I have in my hand.  And when these things are all done, back I will come to Rome, and deliver my fair land to Walwain my relation; and afterwards perform my threat, by my bare life; all my enemies shall be destroyed!”

Then stood him up Walwain, who was Arthur’s relative, and said these words,—­the earl was incensed:  “Almighty God! ruler of dooms, guardian of all middle-earth!  Why is it befallen, that my brother Modred this sin has wrought?  But to-day I forsake him here, before this assembly; and I will him destroy with the Lord’s will; myself I will him hang, highest of all wretches; the queen I will, with God’s law, draw all in pieces with horses.  For may I never be blithe, the while I am alive, until I have avenged mine uncle with the best!”

Then answered the Britons with bold voice:  “All our weapons are ready; now to-morrow we shall march!” On the morrow when it was day, and the Lord it sent, Arthur forth him moved, with his good folk; half he it left, and half it forth led.  Forth he marched through the land until he came to Whitsand; ships he had soon, many and excellent; but full a fortnight there lay the host, abiding the weather, deprived of wind (becalmed).

Now was there some wicked knight in Arthur’s army, anon as he heard it determined of Modred’s death, he took his swain quickly, and sent to this land; and sent word to Wenhaver, how it had happened, and how Arthur was on his march, with a great host, and how he would take on, and all how he would do.  The queen came to Modred, who was to her dearest of men, and told him tiding of Arthur the king, how he would take on, and all how he would do.

Modred took his messengers, and sent to Saxland, after Childrich, who was king most powerful, and bade him come to Britain—­thereof he should have possession.  Modred bade Childrich, the strong and the rich, to send messengers wide, on the four sides of Saxland, and bid all the knights that they might get, that they should come soon to this kingdom; and he would to Childrich give part of his realm, all beyond the Humber; because he should him help to fight