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 The wild king flushed with pride and shame, Answering: 'I know not either name Of those that there against us came And withered all our strength like flame: The knight that bears two swords is one, And one his brother: not on earth May men meet men of knightlier worth Nor mightier born of mortal birth That hail the sovereign sun.'

And Arthur said: 'I know them not; But much am I for this, God wot, Beholden to them: Launcelot Nor Tristram, when the war waxed hot Along the marches east and west, Wrought ever nobler work than this.' 'Ah,' Merlin said, 'sore pity it is And strange mischance of doom, I wis, That death should mar their quest.