court, before brave knights and fair dames, thus addressed the
King: "Sir Arthur, my master bids me say that he has overcome
eleven kings with all their hosts, and, in token of their
submission, they have given him their beards to fringe him a
mantle. There remains yet space for the twelfth; wherefore, with
all speed, send him your beard, else will he lay waste your land
with fire and sword." "Viler message," said King Arthur, "was never
sent from man to man. Get thee gone, lest we forget thine office
protects thee." So spoke the King, for he had seen his knights clap
hand to sword, and would not that a messenger should suffer hurt in
his court.

Now among the knights present the while was one whom men called
Balin le Savage, who had but late been freed from prison for
slaying a knight of Arthur's court. None was more wroth than he at
the villainy of Ryons, and immediately after the departure of the
herald, he left the hall and armed him; for he was minded to try
if, with good fortune, he might win to Arthur's grace by avenging
him on the King of North Wales. While he was without, there entered
the hall a Witch Lady who, on a certain occasion, had done the King
a service, and for this she now desired of him a boon. So Arthur
bade her name her request, and thus she said: "O King, I require of
you the head of the knight Balin le Savage." "That may I not grant
you with my honour," replied the King; "ask what it may become me
to give." But the Witch Lady would have naught else, and departed
from the hall, murmuring against the King. Then, as it chanced,
Balin met her at the door, and immediately when he saw her, he rode
upon her, sword in hand, and, with one blow, smote off her head.
Thus he took vengeance for his mother's death, of which she had
been the cause, and, well content, rode away. But when it was told