Then all the eleven kings drew them together, and then said King
Lot, Lords, ye must other ways than ye do, or else the great loss
is behind; ye may see what people we have lost, and what good men
we lose, because we wait always on these foot-men, and ever in
saving of one of the foot-men we lose ten horsemen for him;
therefore this is mine advice, let us put our foot-men from us,
for it is near night, for the noble Arthur will not tarry on the
footmen, for they may save themselves, the wood is near hand.
And when we horsemen be together, look every each of you kings
let make such ordinance that none break upon <30>pain of death.
And who that seeth any man dress him to flee, lightly that he be
slain, for it is better that we slay a coward, than through a
coward all we to be slain. How say ye? said King Lot, answer me
all ye kings. It is well said, quoth King Nentres; so said the
King of the Hundred Knights; the same said the King Carados, and
King Uriens; so did King Idres and King Brandegoris; and so did
King Cradelment, and the Duke of Cambenet; the same said King
Clariance and King Agwisance, and sware they would never fail
other, neither for life nor for death. And whoso that fled, but
did as they did, should be slain. Then they amended their
harness, and righted their shields, and took new spears and set
them on their thighs, and stood still as it had been a plump of
wood.



CHAPTER XVII

Yet more of the same battle, and how it was ended by Merlin.