'Ill seen is this of thee,' said they,
'That thou art true in word and way
Nor fain to fear the face of day,
Who wilt not as a true man say
⁠The name it shames not him to bear.'
He answered: 'Be it or be it not so,
Yet why ye ride this way I know,
To meet King Ryons as a foe,
⁠And how your hope shall fare.

'Well, if ye hearken toward my rede,
Ill, if ye hear not, shall ye speed.'
'Ah, now,' they cried, 'thou art ours at need:
What Merlin saith we are fain to heed.'
⁠'Great worship shall ye win,' said he,
'And look that ye do knightly now,
For great shall be your need, I trow.'
And Balen smiled: 'By knighthood's vow,
⁠The best we may will we.'