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And then he said with fair speech: Good man, lay down that sword, for as meseemeth thou hadst more need of sleep and of warm clothes than to wield that sword. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, come not too nigh, for an thou do, wit thou well I will slay thee. And when the knight of the pavilion saw that, he stert backward within the pavilion.
Then Sir Tristram stert aback, and went to the kings that were judges, and there he kneeled down to-fore them, and besought them for their worships, and for King Arthur's and Sir Launcelot's sake, that they would take this matter in their hands.
Therewithal she pulled out a bloody doublet and a bloody shirt, that were be-bled with old blood. When Alisander saw this he stert aback and waxed pale, and said: Fair mother, what may this mean? I shall tell thee, fair son: this was thine own father's doublet and shirt, that he wore upon him that same day that he was slain.
And I, coming to a dark place, sat down among a few and ate and drank as well for half an hour, and then passing the guards at the entrance to the town on the road to Cannington, struck out for Stert, that I might be near Alswythe, and wait for the possible coming of the Danes, and the battle in which I might join. I went along the highroad now, for it was dark, and few were about.
Balin went a little from him, and looked on his horse; then heard Balin him say thus: Ah, fair lady, why have ye broken my promise, for thou promisest me to meet me here by noon, and I may curse thee that ever ye gave me this sword, for with this sword I slay myself, and pulled it out. And therewith Balin stert unto him and took him by the hand.
Still, I might find old Wulfhere, and send her messages by him before setting out westward again. Almost was I dozing, for the day had been very long, when from close to Stert came that which roused me completely, setting my heart beating. It was a bright flash of light from close inshore, on the Severn side of the tongue, followed by answering flashes, just as I had seen them at Watchet.
Moreover, a horseman had passed, riding hard to the ships, doubtless to bid them be ready. But that would take little time, for these vikings are ever ready for flight, keeping their ships prepared from day to day. Now very silently we drew off from that place to the edge of the hill which looks across the road to Stert.
But him we might not find, for he was dead, and that grieved me sorely, for I would fain have seen him again, aye, and if it might be, taken him to live with us. But he died as the tide went out on the day of Stert fight, and those who stood by him say that he had visions of all that befell there.
Only the two holms broke the line of water to the north and east up channel. Then the thought came to me that the Danes were gone, and what use going further with this errand? So I went on. Now, at last, was I but a mile or two from Stert, and began to wish to meet one to whom to give the arrow but saw no man. I turned aside to a little cluster of thralls' and churls' huts I knew.
But, as it ever is, what seems wrong in another may be passed over in oneself. However that may be, it came to pass that Matelgar, the thane of Stert, a rich and envious man, saw his way through this conceit of mine to his own profit.
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