Right so in all haste there were ordained to go two knights on the
message unto the two kings. So were there made letters in the pleasant
wise according unto King Arthur’s desire. Ulfius and Brastias were made
the messengers, and so rode forth well horsed and well armed and as the
guise was that time, and so passed the sea and rode toward the city of
Benwick. And there besides were eight knights that espied them, and at
a strait passage they met with Ulfius and Brastias, and would have
taken them prisoners; so they prayed them that they might pass, for
they were messengers unto King Ban and Bors sent from King Arthur.
Therefore, said the eight knights, ye shall die or be prisoners, for we
be knights of King Claudas. And therewith two of them dressed their
spears, and Ulfius and Brastias dressed their spears, and ran together
with great raundon. And Claudas’ knights brake their spears, and theirs
to-held and bare the two knights out of their saddles to the earth, and
so left them lying, and rode their ways. And the other six knights rode
afore to a passage to meet with them again, and so Ulfius and Brastias
smote other two down, and so passed on their ways. And at the fourth
passage there met two for two, and both were laid unto the earth; so
there was none of the eight knights but he was sore hurt or bruised.
And when they come to Benwick it fortuned there were both kings, Ban
and Bors.
And when it was told the kings that there were come messengers, there
were sent unto them two knights of worship, the one hight Lionses, lord
of the country of Payarne, and Sir Phariance a worshipful knight. Anon
they asked from whence they came, and they said from King Arthur, king
of England; so they took them in their arms and made great joy each of
other. But anon, as the two kings wist they were messengers of
Arthur’s, there was made no tarrying, but forthwith they spake with the
knights, and welcomed them in the faithfullest wise, and said they were
most welcome unto them before all the kings living; and therewith they
kissed the letters and delivered them. And when Ban and Bors understood
the letters, then they were more welcome than they were before. And
after the haste of the letters they gave them this answer, that they
would fulfil the desire of King Arthur’s writing, and Ulfius and
Brastias, tarry there as long as they would, they should have such
cheer as might be made them in those marches. Then Ulfius and Brastias
told the kings of the adventure at their passages of the eight knights.
Ha! ah! said Ban and Bors, they were my good friends. I would I had
wist of them; they should not have escaped so. So Ulfius and Brastias
had good cheer and great gifts, as much as they might bear away; and
had their answer by mouth and by writing, that those two kings would
come unto Arthur in all the haste that they might. So the two knights
rode on afore, and passed the sea, and came to their lord, and told him
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