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

Þa þe Arður wes king hærne nu seollic þing.
he wes mete-custi ælche quike monne.
cniht mid þan bezste wunder ane kene.
he wes þan yungen for fader þan alden for frouer.
and wið þan vnwise wunder ane sturnne.

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.

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.