.

Of the death of King Uther Pendragon.
THEN within two years King Uther fell sick of a great malady.

And in the meanwhile his enemies usurped upon him, and did a great battle upon his men, and slew many of his people.

Sir, said Merlin, ye may not lie so as ye do, for ye must to the field though ye ride on an horse-litter: for ye shall never have the better of your enemies but if your person be there, and then shall ye have the victory.

So it was done as Merlin had devised, and they carried the king forth in an horse-litter with a great host towards his enemies.