m well. So the king returned
him to the tower again and armed him and all his knights. What will ye
do? said Merlin to the kings; ye were better for to stint, for ye shall
not here prevail though ye were ten times so many. Be we well advised to
be afeared of a dream-reader? said King Lot. With that Merlin vanished
away, and came to King Arthur, and bade him set on them fiercely; and in
the meanwhile there were three hundred good men, of the best that were
with the kings, that went straight unto King Arthur, and that comforted
him greatly. Sir, said Merlin to Arthur, fight not with the sword that
ye had by miracle, till that ye see ye go unto the worse, then draw it
out and do your best. So forthwithal King Arthur set upon them in their
lodging. And Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias slew on the right
hand and on the left hand that it was marvel; and always King Arthur on
horseback laid on with a sword, and did marvellous deeds of arms, that
many of the kings had great joy of his deeds and hardiness.

Then King Lot brake out on the back side, and the King with the Hundred
Knights, and King Carados, and set on Arthur fiercely behind him. With
that Sir Arthur turned with his knights, and smote behind and before,
and ever Sir Arthur was in the foremost press till his horse was slain
underneath him. And therewith King Lot smote down King Arthur. With that
his four knights received him and set him on horseback. Then he drew his
sword Excalibur, but it was so bright in his enemies' eyes, that it gave
light like thirty torches. And therewith he put them a-back, and slew
much people. And then the commons of Carlion arose with clubs and staves
and slew many knights; but all the kings held them together with their
knights that were left alive, and so fled and departed. And Merlin came
unto Arthur, and counselled him to follow them no further.

CHAPTER X. How Merlin counselled King Arthur to send for King Ban and
King Bors, and of their counsel taken for the war.

SO after the feast and journey, King Arthur drew him unto London, and so
by the counsel of Merlin, the king let call his barons to council, for
Merlin had told the king that the six kings that made war upon him would
in all haste be awroke on him and on his lands. Wherefore the king asked
counsel at them all. They could no counsel give, but said they were big
enough. Ye say well, said Arthur; I thank you for your good courage, but
will ye all that loveth me speak