Lord, who formed the daylight, he shall therefore abide bitterest of all bales—­hard games;—­his bane I will be!  And Colgrim and Baldulf both I will kill, and all their people shall suffer death.  If the Ruler of Heaven will grant it, I will worthily avenge all his hostile deeds; if the life in my breast may last to me, and the Power that formed moon and sun will grant it to me, never shall Childric eft deceive me!”

Now called Arthur, noblest of kings:—­“Where be ye, my knights, brave men and active!  To horse, to horse, good warriors; and we shall march toward Bath speedily!  Let high gallows be up raised, and bring here the hostages before our knights, and they shall hang on high trees!” There he caused to be destroyed four-and-twenty children, Alemainish men of very noble race.

Then came tidings to Arthur the king, that Howel, his relation, was sick lying in Clud—­therefore he was sorry—­and there he left him.  Forth he gan to push exceeding hastily, until he beside Bath approached to a plain; there he alighted, and all his knights; and on with their burnies the stern men, and he in five divisions separated his army.

When he had duly set all, and it all beseemed, then he put on his burny, fashioned of steel, that an elvish smith made, with his excellent craft; he was named Wygar, the witty wright.  His shanks he covered with hose of steel.  Caliburn, his sword, he hung by his side; it was wrought in Avalon, with magic craft.  A helm he set on his head, high of steel; thereon was many gemstone, all encompassed with gold; it was Uther’s, the noble king’s; it was named Goswhit, each other unlike.  He hung on his neck a precious shield; its name was in British called Pridwen; therein was engraved with red gold tracings a precious image of God’s mother.  His spear he took in hand, that was named Ron.  When he had all his weeds, then leapt he on his steed.  Then might he behold, who stood beside, the fairest knight, that ever host should lead; never saw any man better knight none, than Arthur he was, noblest of race!  Then called Arthur with loud voice:  “Lo! where here before us the heathen hounds, who slew our ancestors with their wicked crafts; and they are to us in land loathest of all things.  Now march we to them, and starkly lay on them, and avenge worthily our kindred, and our realm, and avenge the mickle shame by which they have disgraced us, that they over the waves should have come to Dartmouth.  And all they are forsworn, and all they shall be destroyed; they shall be all put to death, with the Lord’s assistance!  March we now forward, fast together, even all as softly as if we thought no evil; and when we come to them, myself I will commence; foremost of all the fight I will begin.  Now we shall ride, and over the land glide; and no man on pain of his life make noise, but fare quickly; the Lord us aid!” Then Arthur the rich man gan to ride; he proceeded over the weald, and Bath would seek.

The tiding came to Childric, the strong and the rich, that Arthur came with host all ready to fight.  Childric and his brave men leapt them to horse, and grasped their weapons—­they knew themselves to be hateful!