unto that noble empire which domineth
upon the universal world. Then when they had showed the effect of their
message, the king commanded them to withdraw them, and said he should
take advice of council and give to them an answer. Then some of the
young knights, hearing this their message, would have run on them to
have slain them, saying that it was a rebuke to all the knights there
being present to suffer them to say so to the king. And anon the king
commanded that none of them, upon pain of death, to missay them nor do
them any harm, and commanded a knight to bring them to their lodging,
and see that they have all that is necessary and requisite for them,
with the best cheer, and that no dainty be spared, for the Romans be
great lords, and though their message please me not nor my court, yet I
must remember mine honour.

After this the king let call all his lords and knights of the Round
Table to counsel upon this matter, and desired them to say their advice.
Then Sir Cador of Cornwall spake first and said, Sir, this message
liketh me well, for we have many days rested us and have been idle, and
now I hope ye shall make sharp war on the Romans, where I doubt not we
shall get honour. I believe well, said Arthur, that this matter pleaseth
thee well, but these answers may not be answered, for the demand
grieveth me sore, for truly I will never pay truage to Rome, wherefore
I pray you to counsel me. I have understood that Belinus and Brenius,
kings of Britain, have had the empire in their hands many days, and also
Constantine the son of Heleine, which is an open evidence that we owe no
tribute to Rome but of right we that be descended of them have right to
claim the title of the empire.

CHAPTER II. How the kings and lords promised to King Arthur aid and help
against the Romans.

THEN answered King Anguish of Scotland, Sir, ye ought of right to
be above all other kings, for unto you is none like nor pareil in
Christendom, of knighthood nor of dignity, and I counsel you never to
obey the Romans, for when they reigned on us they distressed our elders,
and put this land to great extortions and tallies, wherefore I make here
mine avow to avenge me on them; and for to strengthen your quarrel
I shall furnish twenty thousand good men of war, and wage them on my
costs, which shall await on you with myself when it shall please you.
And the king of Little Britain granted him to the same thirty thousand;
wherefore King Ar