The tidings came to the Scots, there where they dwelt, how Arthur the king came toward their land, exceeding quickly, with innumerable folk.  Then were they fearfullest, who ere were boldest, and gan to flee exceeding quickly into the water, where wonders are enow!  That is a marvellous lake, set in middle-earth, with fen, and with reed, and with water exceeding broad; with fish, and with fowl, with evil things!  The water is immeasurably broad; nikers therein bathe; there is play of elves in the hideous pool.  Sixty islands are in the long water; in each of the islands is a rock high and strong; there nest eagles, and other great fowls.  The eagles have a law by every king’s day; whensoever any army cometh to the country, then fly the fowls far into the sky, many hundred thousands, and mickle fight make.  Then is the folk without doubt, that sorrow is to come to them from people of some kind, that will seek the land.  Two days or three thus shall this token be, ere foreign men approach to the land.  Yet there is a marvellous thing to say of the water; there falleth in the lake, on many a side, from dales and from downs, and from deep valleys, sixty streams, all there collected; yet never out of the lake any man findeth that thereout they flow, except a small brook at one end, that from the lake falleth, and wendeth very stilly into the sea.  The Scots were dispersed with much misery, over all the many mounts that were in the water.  And Arthur sought ships, and gan to enter them; and slew there without number, many and enow; and many a thousand there was dead, because all bread failed them.  Arthur the noble was on the east side; Howel the good was on the south half; and Cador the keen guarded them by the north; and his inferior folk he set all by the west side.  Then were the Scots accounted for sots, where they lay around the cliffs, fast inclosed; there were sixty thousand with sorrow destroyed.

Then was come into haven the King of Ireland; twelve miles from Arthur, where he lay with an army, to help the Scots, and Howel to destroy.  Arthur heard this, noblest of kings, and took one host of his, and thitherward marched; and found the King Gillomar, who was come there to land.  And Arthur fought with him, and would give him no peace (quarter), and felled the Irish men exceedingly to the ground.  And Gillomar with twelve ships departed from the land, and proceeded to Ireland, with harm most strong.  And Arthur in the land slew all that he found; and afterwards he went to the lake, where he left his relation Howel the fair, noblest of Britain, except Arthur, noblest of kings.  Arthur found Howel, where he was by the haven, by the broad lake, where he had abode.  Then rejoiced greatly the folk in the host, of Arthur’s arrival, and of his noble deeds; there was Arthur forth-right, two days and two nights.  The Scots lay over the rocks, many thousands dead, with hunger destroyed, most miserable of all folk!