When they reached the tent, the king said,-- "My lords, as some of you may be aware, I have this day had a narrow escape from death.

Separated from you in the battle, and attended only by my standard-bearer, I was surrounded by the Saracens.

I should doubtless have cleft my way through the infidel dogs, but a foul peasant stabbed my charger from below, and the poor brute fell with me.

My standard-bearer was killed, and in another moment my nephew Arthur would have been your king, had it not been that my good lord here, attended by this brave lad, appeared.

I have seen a good deal of fighting, but never did I see a braver stand than they made above my body.