How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and Igrainehis wife, and of their departing suddenly again.IT befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of allEngland, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall thatheld war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke ofTintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him tobring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a passingwise, and her name was called Igraine.So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by the means ofgreat lords they were accorded both. The king liked and loved this ladywell, and he made them great cheer out of measure, and desired to havelain by her. But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent untothe king. And then she told the duke her husband, and said, I supposethat we were sent for that I should be dishonoured; wherefore, husband,I counsel you, that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may rideall night unto our own castle. And in like wise as she said so theydeparted, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware oftheir departing. All so soon as King Uther knew of their departingso suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privycouncil, and told them of the sudden departing of the duke and his wife.Then they advised the king to send for the duke and his wife by a greatcharge; and if he will not come at your summons, then may ye do yourbest, then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him. So that was done,and the messengers had their answers; and that was this shortly, thatneither he nor his wife would not come at him.