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Chapter V
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ThenasSirBalinandSirBalanrodeaway,Merlinmetwiththem,andsaidtoBalin,“Thouhastdonethyselfgreatharmnottohavesavedthatlady’slifewhoslewherself;andbecauseofit,thoushaltstrikethemostDolorousStrokethatevermanstruck,savehethatsmoteourLord.Forthoushaltsmitethetruestandmostworshipfuloflivingknights,whoshallnotberecoveredfromhiswoundsformanyyears,andthroughthatstrokethreekingdomsshallbeoverwhelmedinpovertyandmisery.”
“IfIbelieved,”saidBalin,“whatthousayest,Iwouldslaymyselftomaketheealiar.”
AtthatMerlinvanishedsuddenlyaway;butafterwardshemetthemindisguisetowardsnight,andtoldthemhecouldleadthemtoKingRyence,whomtheysought.“Forthisnightheistoridewithsixtylancesonlythroughawoodhardby.”
SoSirBalinandSirBalanhidthemselveswithinthewood,andatmidnightcameoutfromtheirambushamongtheleavesbythehighway,andwaitedfortheking,whompresentlytheyheardapproachingwithhiscompany.Thendidtheysuddenlyleapforthandsmoteathimandoverthrewhimandlaidhimontheground,andturningonhiscompanywoundedandslewfortyofthem,andputtheresttoflight.AndreturningtoKingRyencetheywouldhaveslainhimthere,buthecravedmercy,andyieldedtotheirgrace,crying,“Knightsfullofprowess,slaymenot;forbymylifeyemaywinsomething—butmydeathcanavailyenought.
