Chapter VIII

           AndnowagainthesecondtimetherecameambassadorsfromLuciusTiberius,EmperorofRome,demanding,underpainofwar,tributeandhomagefromKingArthur,andtherestorationofallGaul,whichhehadconqueredfromthetribuneFlollo.

           Whentheyhaddeliveredtheirmessage,thekingbadethemwithdrawwhileheconsultedwithhisknightsandbaronswhatreplytosend.Thensomeoftheyoungerknightswouldhaveslaintheambassadors,sayingthattheirspeechwasarebuketoallwhoheardthekinginsultedbyit.ButwhenKingArthurheardthat,heorderednonetotouchthemuponpainofdeath;andsendingofficers,hehadthemtakentoanoblelodging,andthereentertainedwiththebestcheer.“And,”saidhe,“letnodaintybespared,fortheRomansaregreatlords;andthoughtheirmessagepleasemenot,yetmustIrememberminehonour.”

           ThenthelordsandknightsoftheRoundTablewerecalledontodeclaretheircounsel—whatshouldbedoneuponthismatter;andSirCadorofCornwallspeakingfirst,said,“Sir,thismessageisthebestnewsIhaveheardforalongtime,forwehavebeennowidleandatrestformanydays,andItrustthatthouwiltmakesharpwarupontheRomans,wherein,Idoubtnot,weshallallgainhonour.”

           “Ibelievewell,”saidArthur,“thatthouartpleased,SirCador;butthatisscarceananswertotheEmperorofRome,andhisdemanddothgrievemesorely,fortrulyIwillneverpayhimtribute;wherefore,lords,Iprayyecounselme.