Now when Britain had been built by Brutus the prince, + 

Bold men there bred, that lov’d battle and strife + 

And at times a many wrought teen and trouble; + 

More wonders, I wis, on this wold have befallen + 

Than on any other I wot of, since those ancient days. + 

But of all that here built, that of Britain were kings, + 

Áy was Árthur the noblest, as I have heard tell; + 

And so an adventure I essay to show you, + 

Which many men reckon a main marvel, + 

All wonders o’ertopping that of the Table are told. + 

If ye’ll listen to my lay but a little while, + 

I shall tell ’t you this tide, as in town I heard it, + 

with tongue. + 

Well is it writ for you + 

In story brave and strong, + 

Linkèd with letters true; + 

In land has so been long + 