he was a devil's son, and she could not beskift him by
no mean. And so on a time it happed that Merlin showed to her in a rock
whereas was a great wonder, and wrought by enchantment, that went under
a great stone. So by her subtle working she made Merlin to go under that
stone to let her wit of the marvels there; but she wrought so there for
him that he came never out for all the craft he could do. And so she
departed and left Merlin.

CHAPTER II. How five kings came into this land to war against King
Arthur, and what counsel Arthur had against them.

AND as King Arthur rode to Camelot, and held there a great feast with
mirth and joy, so soon after he returned unto Cardoile, and there
came unto Arthur new tidings that the king of Denmark, and the king of
Ireland that was his brother, and the king of the Vale, and the king
of Soleise, and the king of the Isle of Longtains, all these five kings
with a great host were entered into the land of King Arthur, and burnt
and slew clean afore them, both cities and castles, that it was pity
to hear. Alas, said Arthur, yet had I never rest one month since I was
crowned king of this land. Now shall I never rest till I meet with those
kings in a fair field, that I make mine avow; for my true liege people
shall not be destroyed in my default, go with me who will, and abide who
that will. Then the king let write unto King Pellinore, and prayed him
in all haste to make him ready with such people as he might lightliest
rear and hie him after in all haste. All the barons were privily wroth
that the king would depart so suddenly; but the king by no mean would
abide, but made writing unto them that were not there, and bade them
hie after him, such as were not at that time in the court. Then the king
came to Queen Guenever, and said, Lady, make you ready, for ye shall go
with me, for I may not long miss you; ye shall cause me to be the more
hardy, what adventure so befall me; I will not wit my lady to be in no
jeopardy. Sir, said she, I am at your commandment, and shall be ready
what time so ye be ready. So on the morn the king and the queen departed
with such fellowship as they had, and came into the north, into a forest
beside Humber, and there lodged them. When the word and tiding came unto
the five kings above said, that Arthur was beside Humber in a forest,
there was a knight, brother unto one of the five kings, that gave them
this counsel: Ye know well that Sir Arthur hath the f