it happened otherwise than they weened.  On the morrow when it dawned, they unfastened the doors; up arose Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa, and ordered their knights to prepare them for fight, to undo their broad gates, and unfasten the burgh.  Octa rode him out, and much folk followed after him; with his bold warriors there he bale found!  Uther saw him this, that Octa approached to them, and thought to fell his host to the ground.

Then called Uther with quick voice there:  “Where be ye, Britons, my bold thanes?  Now is come that day, that the Lord may help us;—­that Octa shall find, in that he threatened me to bind.  Think of your ancestors, how good they were in fight; think of the worship that I have to you well given; nor let ye ever this heathen enjoy your homes, or these same raging hounds possess your lands.  And I will pray to the Lord who formed the daylight, and to all the hallows, that sit high in heaven, that I on this field may be succoured.  Now march quickly to them,—­may the Lord aid you, may the all-ruling God protect my thanes!” Knights gan to ride, spears gan to glide, and broad spears brake, shivered shields—­helms there were severed, men fell!  The Britons were bold, and busy in fight, and the heathen hounds fell to the ground.  There was slain Octa, Ebissa, and Ossa; there seventeen thousand sunk into hell; and many there escaped toward the north end.  And all the daylight Uther’s knights slew and captured all that they came nigh; when it was even, then was it all won.  Then sung the soldiers with great strength, and said these words in their merry songs:  “Here is Uther Pendragon come to Verulam’s town; and he hath so beaten Octa, and Ebissa, and Ossa, and given them in the land laws most strong, so that men may tell their kin in story, and thereof make songs in Saxland!” Then was Uther blithe, and exceeding glad, and spake with his people, that was dear to him in heart, and these words said Uther the old:  “Saxish men have accounted me for base; my sickness they twitted me with their scornful words, because I was led here in a horse-litter; and said that I was dead, and my folk asleep.  And now is much wonder come to this realm, that now this dead king hath killed these quick; and some he hath them driven forth with the weather!  Now hereafter be done the Lord’s will!”

The Saxish men fled exceeding fast, that had aside retreated from the fight; forth they gan proceed into Scotland, and took to them for king Colgrim the fair.  He was Hengest’s relation, and dearest of men to him; and Octa loved him, the while that he lived.  The Saxish men were greatly discouraged, and proceeded them together into Scotland; and they made Colgrim the fair for king, and assembled a host, wide over the land, and said that they would with their wicked craft in Winchester town kill Uther Pendragon.  Alas, that it should so happen!  Now said the Saxish men in their communing together:  “Take we six knights, wise men and active, and skilful spies,