ive, named Maurin.
Maurin went aside to the wood, through woods and through fields, until
he came to Arthur's tents; and thus said soon to Arthur the king:
"Hail be thou, Arthur, noblest of kings! I am hither come; I am of thy
kindred. Here is Baldolf arrived with warriors most hardy, and
thinketh in this night to slay thee and thy knights, to avenge his
brother, who is greatly discouraged, but God shall prevent him,
through his mickle might, And send now forth Cador, the Earl of
Cornwall, and with him bold knights, good and brave, full seven
hundred good thanes; and I will counsel them, and I will lead them,
how they may Baldolf slay as if a wolf." Forth went Cador and all
these knights, so that they came aside where Baldolf lay in tents,
they advanced to him on each side; they slew, they captured all that
they came nigh;--there were killed nine hundred all out told.

Baldolf was gone aside to save himself, and fled through the
wilderness, wondrously fast; and had his dear men with sorrow
deserted, and fled him so far north, that he came so forth, where
Arthur lay on the weald, with his powerful host, all about York--king
most surprising! Colgrim was within with the Saxish men, and Baldulf
bethought him what he might do; with what kind of stratagem he might
come within, into the burgh, to Colgrim his brother, who was to him
the dearest of all men alive. Baldulf caused to be shaved to the bare
skin his beard and his chin, and made him as a fool; he caused half
his head to be shorn, and took him in hand a long harp. He could harp
exceeding well in his childhood; and with his harp he went to the
king's host, and gan there to play, and much game to make. Oft men him
smote with wands most smart; oft men him struck as men do fool; each
man that met him, greeted him with derision; so never any man knew of
Baldulf's appearance, but that it were a fool come to the folk! So
long he went upward, so long he went downward, that they were aware,
who were there within, that it was Baldulf without, Colgrim's brother.
They cast out a rope, and Baldulf grasped it fast, and they drew up
Baldulf, so that he came within, with such kind of stratagem Baldulf
came within. Then was Colgrim blithe, and all his knights with him,
and greatly they gan to threaten Arthur the king. Arthur was beside,
and saw this game, and wrathed himself wondrously much; and ordered
anon all his brave folk to weapon them; he thought to win the burgh
with strength.