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 with Merlin? ye know well that he hath done
much for me, and he knoweth many things, and when he is afore
you, I would that ye prayed him heartily of his best advice. All
the barons said they would pray him and desire him. So Merlin
was sent for, and fair desired of all the barons to give them
best counsel. I shall say you, said Merlin, I warn you all, your
enemies are passing strong for you, and they are good men of arms
as be alive, and by this time they have gotten to them four kings
more, and a mighty duke; and unless that our king have more
chivalry with him than he may make within the bounds of his own
realm, an he fight with them in battle, he shall be overcome and
slain. What were best to do in this cause? said all the barons.
I shall tell you, said Merlin, mine advice; there are two
brethren beyond the sea, and they be kings both, and marvellous
good men of their hands; and that one hight King Ban of Benwick,
and that other hight King Bors of <16>Gaul, that is France. And
on these two kings warreth a mighty man of men, the King Claudas,
and striveth with them for a castle, and great war is betwixt
them. But this Claudas is so mighty of goods whereof he getteth
good knights, that he putteth these two kings most part to the
worse; wherefore this is my counsel, that our king and sovereign
lord send unto the kings Ban and Bors by two trusty knights with