Arthur heard that, noblest of kings, and assembled his army, and advanced against them.  But never was there any king, that was alive on earth, that ever ere on land such folk (multitude) commanded; for from all the kingdoms that Arthur had in hand, forth he led with him all the keenest men, so that he knew never in the world how many thousands there were.  So soon as they came together, Arthur and Frolle; hardily they greeted all that they met.  Knights most strong grasped long spears, and rushed them together, with fierce strength.  All day there were blows most rife; the folk fell to ground, and wrought destruction; the angry warriors sought the grass-bed; the helms resounded, murmured earls; shields there shivered, warriors gan fall.  Then called Arthur, noblest of kings:  “Where be ye, my Britons, my bold thanes?  The day it forth goeth; this folk against us standeth.  Cause we to glide to them sharp darts enow, and teach them to ride the way toward Rome!” Even with the words that Arthur then said, he sprang forth on steed, as spark doth of fire.  Fifty thousand were following him; the hardy warriors rushed to the fight, and smote upon Frolle, where he was in the flock, and brought him to flight, with his mickle folk; there slew Arthur much folk and innumerable.

Then fled into Paris Frolle the powerful, and fastened the gates, with grief enow; and these words said, sorrowful in heart:  “Liefer were it to me, that I were not born!” Then were in Paris grievous speeches, full surely, sorrowful cries; burghmen gan to tremble; the walls they gan repair, the gates they gan to form; meat they took, all that they came nigh; on each side they carried it to the burgh; thither came they all, that held with Frolle.  Arthur heard that, noblest of kings, that Frolle dwelt in Paris, with an immense force, and said that he would Arthur withstand.  To Paris marched Arthur, of fear void, and belay the walls, and areared his tents; on four sides he belay it (the city), four weeks and a day.  The people that were there within were sore afraid, the burgh was within filled with men; and they ate soon the meat that was there gathered.

When four weeks were gone, that Arthur was there stationed, then was in the burgh sorrow extreme, with the wretched folk that lay there in hunger, there was weeping, there was lament, and distress great.  They called to Frolle, and bade him make peace; become Arthur’s man, and his own honour enjoy, and hold the kingdom of Arthur the keen; and let not the wretched folk perish all with hunger.  Then answered Frolle—­free he was in heart:—­“Nay, so help me God, that all dooms wieldeth, shall I never his man become, nor he my sovereign!  Myself I will fight; in God is all the right!”