Arthur was fifteen years old, when this tiding was told to him, and all they were well employed, for he was much instructed.  Arthur forth-right called his knights, and bade every man get ready his weapons, and saddle their horses very speedily, for he would go to this Britain.  To the sea proceeded the good thanes, at Michael’s mount, with a mickle host, the sea set them on the strand, at Southampton they came ashore.  Forth he gan ride, Arthur the powerful, right to Silchester; there it seemed good to him; there was the host of Britons boldly assembled.  Great was the bliss when Arthur came to the burgh; then was blast of trumpets, and men most glad; there they raised to be king Arthur the young.

When Arthur was king—­hearken now a marvellous thing;—­he was liberal to each man alive, knight with the best, wondrously keen!  He was to the young for father, to the old for comforter, and with the unwise wonderfully stern, wrong was to him exceeding loathsome, and the right ever dear.  Each of his cupbearers, and of his chamber-thanes, and his chamber-knights, bare gold in hand, to back and to bed, clad with gold web.  He had never any cook, that he was not champion most good; never any knight’s swam, that he was not bold thane!  The king held all his folk together with great bliss, and with such things he overcame all kings, with fierce strength and with treasure.  Such were his qualities, that all folk it knew.  Now was Arthur good king, his people loved him, eke it was known wide, of his kingdom.

The king held in London a mickle husting; thereto were arrived all his knights, rich men and poor, to honour the king.  When that it was all come, a numerous folk, up arose Arthur noblest of kings, and caused to be brought before him reliques well choice, and thereto the king gan soon to kneel thrice,—­his people knew not what he would pronounce.  Arthur held up his right hand, an oath he there swore, that never by his life, for no man’s lore, should the Saxons become blithe in Britain, nor be landholders, nor enjoy worship, but he would drive them out, for they were at enmity with him.  For they slew Uther Pendragon, who was son of Constance, so they did the other, Aurelie, his brother, therefore they were in land loathest of all folk.  Arthur forth-right took his wise knights, were it lief to them were it loath to them, they all swore the same oath, that they would truly hold with Arthur, and avenge the King Uther, whom the Saxons killed here.  Arthur sent his writs wide over his land, after all the knights that he might obtain, that they full soon should come to the king, and he would in land lovingly maintain them; reward them with land, with silver and with gold.  Forth went the king with a numerous host, he led a surprising multitude, and marched right to York.  There he lay one night, on the morrow he proceeded forth-right where he knew Colgrim to be, and his comrades with him.