‘For the eyes that beene in his head, They glister as doth the gleed[180].’ ‘Now, by my faith,’ says noble King Arthur, ‘That is a well faire steed.’ After showing them other of his possessions, King Cornwall has the strangers conducted to bed; but first takes the precaution to conceal the Burlow Beanie, or Billy Blind--friendly household spirit--in a rubbish-barrel by the bedside, to listen and overhear their conversation. XXX Then King Arthur to his bed was brought, A greivèd man was hee; And soe were all his fellowes with him. From him they thought never to flee. XXXI Then take they did that lodly[181] groome, And under the rub-chadler[182] closed was hee, And he was set by King Arthur’s bed-side, To heere theire talke and theire comunye; XXXII That he might come forth, and make proclamation, Long before it was day; It was more for King Cornewall’s pleasure, Then it was for King Arthur’s pay[183]. XXXIII And when King Arthur in his bed was laid, These were the words said hee: ‘I’le make mine avow to God, And alsoe to the Trinity, That I’le be the bane of Cornewall Kinge Litle Brittaine or ever I see!’ XXXIV ‘It is an unadvised vow,’ saies Gawaine the gay, ‘As ever king hard make I; But wee that beene five christian men, Of the christen faith are wee, And we shall fight against anoynted king And all his armorie.’ XXXV And then bespake him noble Arthur, And these were the words said he: ‘Why, if thou be afraid, Sir Gawaine the gay, Goe home, and drinke wine in thine owne country.’ XXXVI And then bespake Sir Gawaine the gay, And these were the words said hee: ‘Nay, seeing you have made such a hearty vow, Heere another vow make will I. XXXVII ‘I’le make mine avow to God, And alsoe to the Trinity, That I will have yonder faire lady To Litle Brittaine with mee. While they lie talking, an unguarded movement of the sprite in the barrel leads to his discovery. Then follows a great combat. XXXIX [O then bespake Sir Tristram,] These were the words sayd hee: ‘Befor I wold wrestle with yonder feend, It is better to be drown’d in the sea.’ XL And then bespake Sir Bredbeddle, And these were the words said he ‘Why, I will wrestle with yon lodly feend, God, my governor thou wilt bee!’ XLI Then bespake him noble Arthur, And these were the words said he: ‘What weapons wilt thou have, thou gentle knight? I pray thee tell to me.’ XLII He sayes, ‘Collen brand[184] I’le have in my hand, And a Millaine[185] knife fast by my knee, And a Danish axe fast in my hands, That a sure weapon I thinke will be.’ XLIII