Arthur took the horse by the rein, and led him unto King Ban, and
said, Fair brother, have this horse, for he have great myster
thereof, and me repenteth sore of your great damage. It shall be
soon revenged, said King Ban, for I trust in God mine ure is
<29>not such but some of them may sore repent this. I will well,
said Arthur, for I see your deeds full actual; nevertheless, I
might not come at you at that time.

But when King Ban was mounted on horseback, then there began new
battle, the which was sore and hard, and passing great slaughter.
And so through great force King Arthur, King Ban, and King Bors
made their knights a little to withdraw them. But alway the
eleven kings with their chivalry never turned back; and so
withdrew them to a little wood, and so over a little river, and
there they rested them, for on the night they might have no rest
on the field. And then the eleven kings and knights put them on
a heap all together, as men adread and out of all comfort. But
there was no man might pass them, they held them so hard together
both behind and before, that King Arthur had marvel of their
deeds of arms, and was passing wroth. Ah, Sir Arthur, said King
Ban and King Bors, blame them not, for they do as good men ought
to do. For by my faith, said King Ban, they are the best
fighting men, and knights of most prowess, that ever I saw or
heard speak of, and those eleven kings are men of great worship;
and if they were longing unto you there were no king under the
heaven had such eleven knights, and of such worship. I may not
love them, said Arthur, they would destroy me. That wot we well,
said King Ban and King Bors, for they are your mortal enemies,
and that hath been proved aforehand; and this day they have done
their part, and that is great pity of their wilfulness.