Betere is liste þene ufel strenðe. for mid liste me mai ihalden þat strengðe ne mai iwalden. - Layamon

And ich wulle uaren to Aualun to uairest alre maidene.
to Argante þere quene aluen swiðe sceone.
& heo scal mine wunden makien alle isunde.
al hal me makien mid haleweiye drenchen.
And seoðe ich cumen wulle. to mine kineriche.
and wunien mid Brutten mid muchelere wunne.

Even the British Arthur becomes an Englishman, a Germanic hero, brave, daring and open-handed. We are in a world of feasts and vaunting speeches, flytings and lusty battles, fierce deeds and bloody humour, with the Fiend, the Adversary of Man, always round the next corner.

Better is art, than evil strength; for with art men may hold what strength may not obtain.