‘And he asked me wether I wold fight,
Or from him I shold begone,
Or else I must him a ransome pay
& soe depart him from.
11.
11. Arthur’s customary bravery and chivalry are not conspicuous in this ballad.
‘To fight with him I saw noe cause,
Methought it was not meet,
For he was stiffe & strong with-all,
His strokes were nothing sweete;