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.’