is captains, and ordained the
order of the combat. He caused his host to march in rank and company
at a slow pace towards the foe, so that when the battle was joined
none might flinch but that he was sustained of his comrades. The host
drew near to a certain mountain of those parts, and began to climb the
hill. The Saxons held this mountain strongly, and defended the height,
as though they were shut fast and safely behind walls. Small cause had
the heathen for such assurance of safety, for a mighty captain was
upon them, who would not endure their presence in his realm. Arthur
led his spearmen upon the slope, and there admonished his men.
"Behold," said he, "and see before you those false and scornful
heathen, who have destroyed and ravished your kith and kin, your near
ones and neighbours, and on your own goods and bodies have done so
much mischief. Avenge now your friends and your kinsfolk; avenge the
great ruin and burnings; avenge all the loss and the travail that for
so long a space we have suffered at their hands. For myself this day
I will avenge me for all these bitter wrongs. I will avenge the oaths
these perjurers have broken. I will silence the crying of my fathers'
blood. This day I will exact the price for all they have cost me in
loss and in sorrows, and avenge the bad faith which led them to return
to Totnes. If but this day we bear us in the battle like men, and
smite the heathen in their fastness, never again will they array
themselves proudly against us, but will be for ever before us as naked
men without a shield." With these words Arthur set his buckler before
him, and hastened to the playing of the swords. I know not the name
of the Saxon who ran upon him in the stour, but the king smote him so
fiercely that he died. Before Arthur passed across the body he cried
aloud, "God aid, Saint Mary succour. He gives twice," said he, gaily,
"who gives quickly. Here lies one whose lodging for the night I have
paid." When the Britons saw this deed they aided the king mightily,
beating down and slaying the Saxons very grievously. They pressed upon
them from every side, thrusting shrewdly with the spear, and striking
lustily with the sword. Arthur was of marvellous hardihood. Strong
beyond the common strength and of great prowess, with lifted shield
and terrible sword he hewed a path towards the summit of the mount. He
struck to right and to left, slaying many, so that the press gave back
before so stout a champio