and led there with him his good thane Ulfin.  These tidings came quickly unto the lady, that her lord was come, and with him his three men.  Out came Ygaerne forth to the earl, and said these words with winsome speech:  “Welcome, lord, man to me dearest; and welcome, Jordan, and Britael is also;—­be ye in safety parted from the king?” Then quoth Uther full truly as if it were Gorlois:  “Mickle is the multitude that is with Uther Pendragon, and I am all by night stolen from the fight, for after thee I was desirous, woman thou art to me dearest.  Go into the chamber, and cause my bed to be made, and I will rest me for this night’s space, and all day to-morrow, to gladden my people.”  Ygaerne went to chamber, and caused a bed to be made for him, the kingly bed was all overspread with a pall.  The king viewed it well, and went to his bed; and Ygaerne lay down by Uther Pendragon, Now weened Ygaerne full truly, that it were Gorlois; through never any kind of thing knew she Uther the king.  The king approached her as man should do to woman, and had him to do with the dearest of women; and he begat on her a marvellous man, keenest of all kings, that ever came among men, and he was on earth named Arthur.  Ygaerne knew not who lay in her arms, for ever she weened full surely, that it were the Earl Gorlois.

There was no greater interval but until it was daylight, there forth-right the knights understood, that the king was departed out of the host.  Then said the knights, sooth though it were not, that the king was flown, filled with dread, but it all was leasing that they said of the king, they held hereof much converse upon Uther Pendragon.  Then said the earls and the highest barons; “Now when Gorlois shall know it, how it is passed, that our king is departed, and has left his host, he will forth-right weapon his knights, and out he will to fight, and fell us to ground, with his furious thanes make mickle slaughter; then were it better for us, that we were not born.  But cause we the trumpets to be blown, and our army to assemble; and Cador the brave shall bear the king’s standard; heave high the Dragon before this people, and march to the castle, with our keen folk.  And the Earl Aldolf shall be our chief, and we shall obey him, as if he were the king; and so we shall with right with Gorlois fight, and if he will speak with us, and yearn this king’s peace, set amity with soothfast oath, then may we with worship go hence; then our underlings will have no upbraidings, that we for any timidity hence fled.”  All the nation-folk praised this same counsel.  Trumpets they blew, and assembled their host; up they heaved the Dragon, by each standard unmatched; there was many a bold man, that hung shield on shoulder, many a keen thane, and proceeded to the castle, where Gorlois was within, with his keen men.  He caused trumpets to be blown, and his host to assemble; they leapt on steed, knights gan to ride.  These knights were exceeding active, and went out at the gate; together