Modredheard that, and advanced against him with innumerable folk,--there weremany fated! Upon the Tambre they came together; the place hight Camelford,evermore lasted the same word. And at Camelford was assembled sixtythousand, and more thousands thereto; Modred was their chief. Thenthitherward 'gan ride Arthur the mighty, with innumerable folk,--fatedthough it were! Upon the Tambre they encountered together; elevated theirstandards; advanced together; drew their long swords; smote on the helms;fire outsprang; spears splintered; shields 'gan shiver; shafts brake inpieces. There fought all together innumerable folk! Tambre was in floodwith blood to excess; there might no man in the fight know any warrior,nor who did worse, nor who better, so was the conflict mingled! For eachslew downright, were he swain, were he knight."There was Modred slain, and deprived of life-day, and all his knightsslain in the fight. There were slain all the brave, Arthur's warriors,high and low, and all the Britons of Arthur's board, and all hisdependents, of many kingdoms. And Arthur wounded with broadslaughter-spear; fifteen dreadful wounds he had; in the least one mightthrust two gloves! Then was there no more remained in the fight, of twohundred thousand men that there lay hewed in pieces, except Arthur theking alone, and two of his knights.
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