101:008;00@@@@@| 101:008;00[' ]| 101:008;00[' ]| 101:008;00[' ]| 101:008;01[' ]| HOW TIDINGS CAME TO$4$ ARTHUR THAT$3$ KING*RIENCE 101:008;02[' ]| HAD OVERCOME ELEVEN KINGS, AND HOW HE DESIRED 101:008;03[' ]| ARTHUR'S BEARD TO$9$ TRIM HIS MANTLE. ~~ This meanwhile 101:008;04[' ]| came a messenger from King*Rience of North*Wales, 101:008;05[' ]| and King he was of all Ireland, and of many 101:008;06[' ]| isles. And this was his message, greeting well King*Arthur 101:008;07[' ]| in$4$ this manner wise, saying that$3$ King*Rience 101:008;08[' ]| had discomfited and overcome eleven kings, and every 101:008;09[' ]| each of them did him homage, and that$3$ was this, they 101:008;10[' ]| gave him their beards clean flayed off, as much as there 101:008;11[' ]| was: wherefore the messenger came for$4$ King*Arthur's 101:008;12[' ]| beard. For$3$ King*Rience had purfled a mantle with 101:008;13[' ]| kings' beards, and there lacked one place of the mantle; 101:008;14[' ]| wherefore he sent for$4$ his beard, or else he would enter 101:008;15[' ]| into his lands, and burn and slay, and never leave till 101:008;16[' ]| he have the head and the beard. 101:008;16[A ]| Well, 101:008;16[' ]| said Arthur, 101:008;17[A ]| thou hast said thy message, the which$6#1$ is the most 101:008;18[A ]| villainous and lewdest message that$6#1$ ever man heard 101:008;19[A ]| sent unto a king; also thou mayest see my beard is 101:008;20[A ]| full young yet to$9$ make a purfle of it. But tell thou 101:008;21[A ]| thy king this: I owe him none homage, nor none of 101:008;22[A ]| mine elders, but, or it be long too, he shall do me 101:008;23[A ]| homage on$4$ both his knees, or else he shall losE his 101:008;24[A ]| head, by$4$ the faith of my body, for$3$ this is the most 101:008;25[A ]| shamefulest message that$6#1$ ever I heard speak of. I have 101:009;01[A ]| espied thy king met never yet with worshipful man, 101:009;02[A ]| but tell him, I will$1$ have his head without he do me 101:009;03[A ]| homage. 101:009;03[' ]| Then the messenger departed. 101:009;03[A ]| Now is there 101:009;04[A ]| any here, 101:009;04[' ]| said Arthur, 101:009;04[A ]| that$6#1$ knowest King*Rience? 101:009;05[' ]| Then answered a knight that$6#1$ hight Naram, 101:009;05[B ]| Sir, 101:009;06[B ]| I know the king well; he is a passing good man of his 101:009;07[B ]| body, as few be living, and a passing proud man, and 101:009;08[B ]| Sir, doubt ye not he will$1$ make war on$4$ you with a 101:009;09[B ]| mighty puissance. 101:009;09[A ]| Well, 101:009;09[' ]| said Arthur, 101:009;09[A ]| I shall ordain 101:009;10[A ]| for$4$ him in$4$ short time. ~~ <\9Le 9Morte 9D'Arthur.\ > 102:009;00[' ]| 102:009;11[' ]| HOW BALIN MET WITH HIS BROTHER BALAN, AND HOW 102:009;12[' ]| EACH OF THEM SLEW OTHER UNKNOWN, TILL THEY WERE 102:009;13[' ]| WOUNDED TO$4$ DEATH. ~~ Then afore him he saw come 102:009;14[' ]| riding out of a castle a knight, and his horse trapped all 102:009;15[' ]| red, and himself in$4$ the same colour. When this knight 102:009;16[' ]| in$4$ the red beheld Balin him thought it should be his 102:009;17[' ]| brother Balin by$4$ cause of his two swords, but by$4$ cause 102:009;18[' ]| he knew not his shield he deemd it was not he. And 102:009;19[' ]| so$3$ they atventryd their spears and came marvellously 102:009;20[' ]| fast together, and they smote each other in$4$ the shields, 102:009;21[' ]| but their spears and their course were so$5#1$ big that$3$ it 102:009;22[' ]| bare down horse and man that$3$ they lay both in$4$ a swoon. 102:009;23[' ]| But Balin was bruised sore with the fall of his horse, 102:009;24[' ]| for$3$ he was weary of travel. And Balan was the first 102:009;25[' ]| that$6#1$ rose on$4$ foot and drew his sword, and went toward 102:009;26[' ]| Balin, and he arose and went against him; but Balan 102:009;27[' ]| smote Balin first, and he put up$5$ his shield and smote 102:009;28[' ]| him through the shield and tamyd his helm. Then 102:009;29[' ]| Balin smote him again with that$6#2$ unhappy sword, and 102:009;30[' ]| well nigh had felled his brother Balan, and so$3$ they 102:009;31[' ]| fought together till their breaths failed. Then Balin 102:009;32[' ]| looked up$5$ to$4$ the castle and saw the towers stand full 102:009;33[' ]| of ladies. So$3$ they went unto battle again, and wounded 102:009;34[' ]| each other dolefully, and then they breathed ofttimes, 102:010;01[' ]| and so$3$ went unto battle that$3$ all the place there as they 102:010;02[' ]| fought was blood red. And at that$6#2$ time there was 102:010;03[' ]| none of them both but they had either smitten other 102:010;04[' ]| seven great wounds, so$3$ that$3$ the least of them might 102:010;05[' ]| have been the death of the mightiest giant in$4$ this world. 102:010;06[' ]| Then they went to$4$ battle again so$5#1$ marvellously that$3$ 102:010;07[' ]| doubte it was to$9$ hear of that$6#2$ battle for$4$ the great blood 102:010;08[' ]| shedding, and their hauberks unnailed that$3$ naked they 102:010;09[' ]| were on$4$ every side. At last Balan the younger brother 102:010;10[' ]| withdrew him a little and laid him down. Then said 102:010;11[' ]| Balin*le*Savage, 102:010;11[C ]| What knight art thou? for$3$ or now I 102:010;12[C ]| found never no$2$ knight that$6#1$ matched me. 102:010;12[D ]| My name 102:010;13[D ]| is, 102:010;13[' ]| said he, 102:010;13[D ]| Balan, brother unto the good knight Balin. 102:010;14[C ]| Alas, 102:010;14[' ]| said Balin, 102:010;14[C ]| that$3$ ever I should see this day, 102:010;14[' ]| and 102:010;15[' ]| therewith he fell backward in$4$ a swoon. Then Balan 102:010;16[' ]| yede on$4$ all four feet and hands, and put off the helm 102:010;17[' ]| of his brother, and might not know him by$4$ the visage 102:010;18[' ]| it was so$5#1$ ful hewen and bledde; but when he awoke 102:010;19[' ]| he said, 102:010;19[C ]| O, Balan, my brother, thou hast slain me 102:010;20[C ]| and I thee, wherefore all the wide world shall speak of 102:010;21[C ]| us both. 102:010;21[D ]| Alas, 102:010;21[' ]| said Balan, 102:010;21[D ]| that$3$ ever I saw this day, 102:010;22[D ]| that$3$ through mishap I might not know you, for$3$ I 102:010;23[D ]| espied well your two swords, but by$4$ cause ye had 102:010;24[D ]| another shield I deemed ye had been another knight. 102:010;25[C ]| Alas, 102:010;25[' ]| said Balin, 102:010;25[C ]| all that$6#2$ made an unhappy knight in$4$ 102:010;26[C ]| the castle, for$3$ he caused me to$9$ leave my own shield to$4$ 102:010;27[C ]| our both's destruction, and if I might live I would 102:010;28[C ]| destroy that$6#2$ castle for$4$ ill customs. 102:010;28[D ]| That$6#2$ were well 102:010;29[D ]| done, 102:010;29[' ]| said Balan, 102:010;29[D ]| for$3$ I had never grace to$9$ depart from 102:010;30[D ]| them syne that$3$ I came hither, for$3$ here it happed me to$9$ 102:010;31[D ]| slay a knight that$6#1$ kept this island, and syne might I 102:010;32[D ]| never depart, and no$2$ more should ye, brother, an ye 102:010;33[D ]| might have slain me as you have, and escaped yourself 102:010;34[D ]| with the life. 102:010;34[' ]| Right so$5#2$ came the lady of the tower 102:010;35[' ]| with four knights and six ladies and six yeomen unto 102:010;36[' ]| them, and there she heard how they made their moan 102:010;37[' ]| either to$4$ other, and said, 102:010;37[Y ]| We came both out of one 102:010;38[Y ]| tomb, that$6#2$ is to$9$ say, one mother's belly, and so$3$ shall 102:010;39[Y ]| we lie both in$4$ one pit. 102:010;39[' ]| So$3$ Balan prayed the lady of 102:011;01[' ]| her gentleness, for$4$ his true service, that$3$ she would bury 102:011;02[' ]| them both in$4$ that$6#2$ same place where the battle was 102:011;03[' ]| done. And she granted them with weeping it should 102:011;04[' ]| be done richly in$4$ the best manner. 102:011;04[D ]| Now, will$1$ ye send 102:011;05[D ]| for$4$ a priest, that$3$ we may receive our sacrament, and 102:011;06[D ]| receive the blessed body of our Lord*Jesus*Christ? 102:011;07[E ]| Yea, 102:011;07[' ]| said the lady, 102:011;07[E ]| it shall be done; 102:011;07[' ]| and so$3$ she sent 102:011;08[' ]| for$4$ a priest and gave them their rites. 102:011;08[C ]| Now, 102:011;08[' ]| said 102:011;09[' ]| Balin, 102:011;09[C ]| when we are buried in$4$ one tomb, and the 102:011;10[C ]| mention made over us how two brethren slew each 102:011;11[C ]| other, there will$1$ never good knight nor good man see 102:011;12[C ]| our tomb but they will$1$ pray for$4$ our souls. 102:011;12[' ]| And so$3$ all 102:011;13[' ]| the ladies and gentlewomen wept for$4$ pity. Then anon 102:011;14[' ]| Balan died, but Balin died not till the midnight after, 102:011;15[' ]| and so$3$ were they buried both, and the lady let make 102:011;16[' ]| a mention of Balan how he was there slain by$4$ his 102:011;17[' ]| brother's hands, but she knew not Balin's name. 102:011;18[' ]| HOW MERLIN BURIED THEM BOTH IN$4$ ONE TOMB, 102:011;19[' ]| AND OF BALIN'S SWORD. ~~ In$4$ the morning came Merlin 102:011;20[' ]| and let write Balin's name on$4$ the tomb with letters 102:011;21[' ]| of gold, that$3$ 102:011;21[Z ]| here lieth Balin*le*Savage that$6#1$ was the 102:011;22[Z ]| knight with the two swords, and he that$6#1$ smote the 102:011;23[Z ]| dolorous stroke. 102:011;23[' ]| Also Merlin let make there a bed, 102:011;24[' ]| that$3$ there should never man lie therein but he went 102:011;25[' ]| out of his wit, yet Launcelot*de*Lake fordyd that$6#2$ bed 102:011;26[' ]| through his noblesse. And anon after Balin was dead, 102:011;27[' ]| Merlin took his sword, and took off the pommel and 102:011;28[' ]| set on$4$ another pommel. So$3$ Merlin bad a knight that$6#1$ 102:011;29[' ]| stood afore him handle that$6#2$ sword, and he assayed, and 102:011;30[' ]| he might not handle it. Then Merlin laughed. 102:011;30[F ]| Why 102:011;31[F ]| laugh ye? 102:011;31[' ]| said the knight. 102:011;31[G ]| This is the cause, 102:011;31[' ]| said 102:011;32[' ]| Merlin: 102:011;32[G ]| there shall never man handle this sword but 102:011;33[G ]| the best knight of the world, and that$6#2$ shall be Sir*Launcelot 102:011;34[G ]| or else Galahad his son, and Launcelot with 102:011;35[G ]| this sword shall slay the man that$6#1$ in$4$ the world he loved 102:011;36[G ]| best, that$6#2$ shall be Sir*Gawaine. 102:011;36[' ]| All this he let write 102:011;37[' ]| in$4$ the pommel of the sword. Then Merlin let make a 102:011;38[' ]| bridge of iron and of steel into that$6#2$ island, and it was 102:011;39[' ]| but half a foot broad, and there shall never man pass 102:012;01[' ]| that$6#2$ bridge, nor have hardiness to$9$ go over but if he 102:012;02[' ]| were a passing good man and a good knight without 102:012;03[' ]| treachery or villany. Also the scabbard of Balin's 102:012;04[' ]| sword Merlin left it on$4$ this side of the island, that$3$ Galahad 102:012;05[' ]| should find it. Also Merlin let make by$4$ his 102:012;06[' ]| subtlety that$3$ Balin's sword was put in$4$ a marble stone 102:012;07[' ]| standing upright as great as a mill stone, and the stone 102:012;08[' ]| hoved always above the water and did many years, 102:012;09[' ]| and so$3$ by$4$ adventure it swam down the stream to$4$ the 102:012;10[' ]| City of Camelot, that$6#2$ is in$4$ English*Winchester. And 102:012;11[' ]| that$6#2$ same day Galahad the haughty prince came with 102:012;12[' ]| King*Arthur, and so$3$ Galahad brought with him the 102:012;13[' ]| scabbard and achieved the sword that$6#1$ was there in$4$ the 102:012;14[' ]| marble stone hoving upon$4$ the water. And on$4$ Whitsunday 102:012;15[' ]| he achieved the sword as it is rehearsed in$4$ the 102:012;16[' ]| book of Sangreal. Soon after this was done Merlin 102:012;17[' ]| came to$4$ King*Arthur and told him of the dolorous 102:012;18[' ]| stroke that$6#1$ Balin gave to$4$ King*Pellam, and how Balin 102:012;19[' ]| and Balan fought together the marvellest battle that$6#1$ 102:012;20[' ]| ever was heard of, and how they were buried both in$4$ 102:012;21[' ]| one tomb. 102:012;21[A ]| Alas, 102:012;21[' ]| said King*Arthur, 102:012;21[A ]| this is the greatest 102:012;22[A ]| pity that$3$ ever I heard tell of two knights, for$3$ in$4$ the 102:012;23[A ]| world I know not such two knights. 102:012;23[' ]| Thus endeth the 102:012;24[' ]| tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in$4$ 102:012;25[' ]| Northumberland, good knights. ~~ <\9Le 9Morte 9D'Arthur.\ > 103:012;00[' ]| 103:012;26[' ]| HOW KING*ARTHUR TOOK A WIFE AND WEDDED 103:012;27[' ]| GUENEVER, DAUGHTER TO$4$ LEODEGRANCE, KING OF THE 103:012;28[' ]| LAND OF CAMELIARD, WITH WHOM HE HAD THE ROUND 103:012;29[' ]| TABLE. ~~ In$4$ the beginning of Arthur, after he was chosen 103:012;30[' ]| king by$4$ adventure and by$4$ grace, for$4$ the most part the 103:012;31[' ]| barons knew not that$3$ he was Uther*Pendragon's son, 103:012;32[' ]| but as Merlin made it openly known. But yet many 103:012;33[' ]| kings and lords held great war against him for$4$ that$6#2$ 103:012;34[' ]| cause, but well Arthur overcame them all; for$4$ the most 103:013;01[' ]| part of the days of his life he was ruled much by$4$ the 103:013;02[' ]| counsel of Merlin. So$3$ it fell on$4$ a time King*Arthur 103:013;03[' ]| said unto Merlin, 103:013;03[A ]| My barons will$1$ let me have no$2$ rest, 103:013;04[A ]| but needs I must take a wife, and I will$1$ none take but 103:013;05[A ]| by$4$ thy counsel and by$4$ thine advice. 103:013;05[G ]| It is well done, 103:013;06[' ]| said Merlin, 103:013;06[G ]| that$3$ ye take a wife, for$3$ a man of your 103:013;07[G ]| bounty and noblesse should not be without a wife. Now 103:013;08[G ]| is there any that$6#1$ ye love more than another? 103:013;08[A ]| Yea, 103:013;09[' ]| said King*Arthur, 103:013;09[A ]| I love Guenever, the king's daughter, 103:013;10[A ]| Leodegrance of the land of Cameliard, the which$6#1$ holdeth 103:013;11[A ]| in$4$ his house the Table*Round that$6#1$ ye told he had of 103:013;12[A ]| my father Uther. And this damosel is the most valiant 103:013;13[A ]| and fairest lady that$6#1$ I know living, or yet that$6#1$ ever I 103:013;14[A ]| could find. 103:013;14[G ]| Sir, 103:013;14[' ]| said Merlin, 103:013;14[G ]| as of her beauty and 103:013;15[G ]| fairness she is one of the fairest on$4$ live; but, an ye 103:013;16[G ]| loved her not so$5#1$ well as ye do, I should find you a 103:013;17[G ]| damosel of beauty and of goodness that$6#1$ should like$1$ you 103:013;18[G ]| and please you, an your heart were not set; but there 103:013;19[G ]| as a man's heart is set, he will$1$ be loth to$9$ return. 103:013;19[A ]| That$6#2$ 103:013;20[A ]| is truth, 103:013;20[' ]| said King*Arthur. But Merlin warned the 103:013;21[' ]| king covertly that$3$ Guenever was not wholesome for$4$ him 103:013;22[' ]| to$9$ take to$4$ wife, for$3$ he warned him that$3$ Launcelot 103:013;23[' ]| should love her, and she him again; and so$3$ he turned 103:013;24[' ]| his tale to$4$ the adventures of Sangreal. Then Merlin 103:013;25[' ]| desired of the king for$3$ to$9$ have men with him that$6#1$ 103:013;26[' ]| should enquire of Guenever, and so$3$ the king granted 103:013;27[' ]| him, and Merlin went forth unto King*Leodegrance, of 103:013;28[' ]| Cameliard, and told him of the desire of the king that$3$ 103:013;29[' ]| he would have unto his wife Guenever his daughter. 103:013;30[H ]| That$6#2$ is to$4$ me, 103:013;30[' ]| said King*Leogrance, 103:013;30[H ]| the best tidings 103:013;31[H ]| that$6#1$ ever I heard, that$3$ so$5#1$ worthy a king of prowess and 103:013;32[H ]| noblesse will$1$ wed my daughter. And as for$4$ my lands, 103:013;33[H ]| I will$1$ give him, wist I it might please him, but he hath 103:013;34[H ]| lands enow, him needeth none, but I shall send him a 103:013;35[H ]| gift shall please him much more, for$3$ I shall give him 103:013;36[H ]| the Table*Round, the which$6#1$ Uther*Pendragon gave me, 103:013;37[H ]| and when it is full complete, there is an hundred 103:013;38[H ]| knights and fifty. And as for$4$ an hundred good knights 103:013;39[H ]| I have myself, but I fawte fifty, for$3$ so$5#1$ many have 103:014;01[H ]| been slain in$4$ my days. 103:014;01[' ]| And so$3$ Leodegrance delivered 103:014;02[' ]| his daughter Guenever unto Merlin, and the Table*Round 103:014;03[' ]| with the hundred knights, and so$3$ they rode 103:014;04[' ]| freshly, with great royalty, what by$4$ water and what 103:014;05[' ]| by$4$ land, till they came nigh unto London. ~~ <\9Le 9Morte\ > 103:014;06[' ]| <\9D'Arthur\.>