e
the fight had been, and buried the dead, and the alive they gan forth
lead. And they sent after Petreius, whom they previously captured, and
after his companions, that were previously taken, and sent them all
full truly in to the burgh of Paris, and filled three castles, and
fast them inclosed, after Arthur's command, noblest of all kings. All
the Britons loved Arthur; to all of them stood dread of him that dwelt
in the land, so did it to the emperor, of Arthur he had mickle care;
and all the Rome-folk of Arthur were afraid.

Then was it in sooth found, what Merlin whilom said, that Rome should
for Arthur fall in fire, and the walls of stone quake and fall. This
same token should be of Luces the emperor, and of the senators, who
with him came from Rome; and in the same wise, they there gan fall;
what Merlin in fore-days said, all they it found there, as they did
ere, and subsequently well everywhere; ere Arthur were born, Merlin it
all predicted.

The emperor heard say sooth words, how his men were taken, and how his
folk was eke slain. Then were in his army manifold sorrows; some
lamented their friends; some threatened their enemies; some got ready
their weapons--mischief was given to them! Then saw Luces, that evil
was befallen to him, for each day he lost of his people, but he the
harm felt, his noble men he lost. He became then afraid wondrously
much, and betook him to counsel and to some communing, that he would
march to Aust, with all his host; forth by Lengres he would
proceed,--of Arthur he had mickle care!

Arthur had his spies in the army of the emperor, and they soon caused
him to know whither he (the emperor) would go. Arthur caused soon his
host to be assembled, stilly by night his best knights; and forth the
king marched with his good folk. On his right hand he let Lengres
stand, and proceeded forward in the way that Luces would pass. When he
came in a dale, under a down, there he gan halt, keenest of all
kings,--the dale is in sooth named Sosie. Arthur there alighted down,
and ordered all his people that they in haste should get ready their
weapons, and prepare them to fight, as brave knights should; so that
when the Rome folk there should come riding, that they should attack
them, as brave knights should do. All the swains, and the impotent
thanes, and of the small (base) folk many thousands, the king set them
on a hill, with many standards,--that he did for stratagem; thereof he
thought to boast,