and quickly King Arthur moved himself with his army along the coastline westward, toward

Salisbury. Andthere was a day assigned betwixt King Arthur and Sir Mordred that they
should not meet uon a field besideSalisbury and not far from the coast. And this day so
assigned as Monday after Trinity Sunday !the eighthSunday after "aster#, whereof King
Arthur was assing glad that he might be avenged uon Sir Mordred.A
So uon Trinity Sunday at night King Arthur dreamed a wonderful dream, and in his dream it
seemed to him that hesaw uon a latform a chair, and the chair was fast to a wheel, and
thereuon sat King Arthur in the richest cloth ofgold that might be made. And the King thought
there was under him, far from him, and hideous dee black water,and therein was all manner
of serents, and worms, and wild beasts, foul and horrible. And suddenly the Kingthought that
the wheel turned uside down, and he fell among the serents, and every beast took him by a
limb. Andthen the King cried as he lay in his bed, $%el, %el&'And then knights, squires, and
yeomen awaked the King, and then he was so ama(ed that he knew not where he was.And
then so he awaked until it was night day, and then he fell on slumbering again, not sleeing
nor thoroughlywaking. So it seemed to the King that there came Sir )awain unto him with a
number of fair ladies with him. Sowhen King Arthur saw him, he said, $*elcome, my sister+s
son. weened ye had been dead. And now see thee on - live, much am beholden unto
Almighty esu. Ah, fair nehew and my sister+s son, what been these ladies that hither be
come with you/'$Sir,' said Sir )awain, $all these be ladies for whom have fought for when
was man living. And all these arethose that did battle for in righteous quarrels, and )od had
given them that grace, at their great rayer, because did battle for them for their right, that
they should bring me hither unto you . Thus much had given leave )od, for towarn you of
your death. f you fight tomorrow with Sir Modred, as ye both have assigned, doubt ye not ye
must beslain, and the most arty of your eole on both arties. And for the great grace And
goodness that Almighty esuhad unto you, and for ity of you and many more other good men
there shall be slain, )od had sent me to you of hissecial grace to give you warning that in no
wise ye do battle as tomorn, but that ye take a treaty fora month fromtoday. And you make
generous offers , so that tomorn ye ut in a delay. 0or within a month shall come Sir
1ancelotwith all his noble knights and rescue you worshifully and slay Sir Modred and all that
ever will hold with him.'Then Sir )awain and all the ladies vanished. And anon the King called
uon his knights, squires, and yeomen, andcharged them quickly to fetch his noble lords and
wise bishos unto him. And when they were come the King toldthem of his dream, that Sir
)awain had told him and warned him that, and he fought on the morn, he should be slain
Then the King commanded Sir 1ucan the 2utler and his brother Sir 2edivere the 2old, with
two bishos with them,and charged them in any wise to take a treaty for a month from today
with Sir Modred. $And sare not3 roffer himlands and goods as much as ye think
reasonable.'So then they dearted and came to Sir Modred where he had a grim host of a
hundred thousand, and there theyentreated Sir Modred long time. And at the last Sir Modred
was agreed for to have 4ornwall and Kent by KingArthur+s days, and after that, all "ngland,
after the days of King Arthur.Then they ageed that King Arthur and Sir Modred should meet
betwixt both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen ersons. And so they came
with this word unto Arthur. Then said he, $ am glad that this is done,' sohe went into the
field.And when King Arthur should deart, he warned all his host that, and they see any sword
drawn, $1ook ye come onfiercely and slay that traitor Sir Modred, for in no wise trust him.' n
like wise Sir Modred warned his host that $And ye see any manner of sword drawn, look that
ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that ever before you standeth,for in no wise will not trust
for this treaty .' And in the same wise said Sir Modred unto his host, $0or know wellmy
father will be avanged uon me.'And so they met as their arrangement was and were agreed
and accorded thoroughly. And wine was fetched and theydrank together. 5ight so came and
adder out of a little heathbush, and it stung a knight in the foot. And so when theknight felt
him so stung, he looked down and saw the adder. And anon he drew his sword to slay the
adder, andthought none other harm. And when the host on both arties saw that sword
drawn, then they blew beams, horns, andshouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them
together. And King Arthur took his horse and said, $Alas, thisunhay day&' and so rode to his
arty, and Sir Modred in like wise.And never since was there never seen a more dolefuller
battle in no 4hristian land, for there was but rushing andriding, lunging and striking6 and
many a deadly stroke. 2ut ever King Arthur rode throughout the battalion of SirModred many
times and did full nobly, as a noble should do, and at all times he fainted never. And Sir
Modred didhis devoir that day and ut himself in great eril.And thus they fought all the long
day, and never stoed till the noble knights were laid to the cold earth. And everthey fought
still it was near night, and then was there a hundred thousand laid dead uon the down. Then
was KingArthur wild with rage out of measure when he saw his eole so slain from him. And
so he looked about him andcould see no more of all his host, and good knights left no more
on - live, but two knights3 the t+one was Sir 1ucanthe 2utler and the other his brother Sir
2edivere. And yet they were full sore wounded.$esu, mercy,' said the King, $where are all
my noble knights become/ Alas that ever should see this doleful day&0or now, $ said King
Arthur. $ am come to mine end . 2ut would to )od.' Said he , $that wist now where werethat
traitor Sir Modred that has caused all this mischief.'Then King Arthur looked about and was
ware where stood Sir Modred leaning uon his sword among a great hea of dead men.$7ow
give me my sear.' Said King Arthur unto Sir 1ucan. $for yonder have esied the traitor that all
this woehath wrought.'$Sir, let him be ,' said Sir 1ucan, $for he is unhay. And if ye ass this
unhay day ye shall be right well revengeduon him. And, good lord, remember ye of your
night+s dream, and what the sirit of Sir )awain told you tonight,and yet )od of his great
goodness had reserved you hitherto. And for )od+s sake, my lord, leave off by this, for,
blessed be )od, ye have won the field3 for yet we been here three on - live, and with Sir
Modred is not one on - live.And therefore if ye leave off now, this wicked day of destiny is
ast.'$7ow, befall me death, tide me life,' said the King, $now see him yonder alone, he shall
never escae mine hands.0or at a better avail shall never have him. $)od seed you well &'
said Sir 2edivere.Then the King got his sear in both his hands and ran toward his Modred,
crying and saying, $ Traitor. 7ow is thydeathday come&'And when Sir Modred saw King
Arthur he ran until him with his sword drawn in his hand, and there King Arthursmote Sir
Modred under the shield, with a thrust of his sear, throughout the body more than a fathom.
And when Sir Modred felt that he had his death+s wound , he thrust himself with the might
that he had u to hand guard of KingArthur9s sear, and right so he smote his father King
Arthur with his sword holden in both his hands, uon the sideof the head, that the sword
ierced the helmet and the casting of the brain. And therewith Sir Modred dashed downstark
dead to the earth.And noble King Arthur fell in a swough to the earth, and there he swooned
oftentimes, and Sir 1ucan and Sir2edivere oftentimes heaved him u. And so, weakly betwixt
them, they led him to a little chael not far from theseaside, and when the King was there, him
thought him reasonably eased. Then heard they eole cry in the field.$7ow go thou, Sir
1ucan,' said the King, $and let me know what betokens that noise in the field.'So Sir 1ucan
dearted, for he was grievously wounded in many laces. And so as he walked he saw and
harkened bythe moonlight how that illagers and robbers were come into the field to ill and to
rob many a full noble knight of brooches and bracelets and of many a good ring and many a
rich :ewel. And who that were not dead all out therethey slew them for their harness and
their riches. *hen Sir 1ucan understood this work, he came to the King as soonas he might
and told him all what he had heard and seen. $Therefore by my advice,' said Sir 1ucan, $it is
best thatwe bring you to some town.'$ would it were so,' said the King, $but may not stand ,
my head works so. Ah, Sir 1ancelot,' said King Arthur,$this day have sore missed thee. And
alas that ever was against thee, for now have my death, whereof Sir)awain me warned in
my dream.'Then Sir 1ucan took u the King the t+one side and Sir 2edivere the other arty6
and in the lifting Sir 1ucan fell in aswoon that art of his guts fell out of his body, and therewith
the noble knight9s heart burst. And when the Kingawoke he beheld Sir 1ucan how he lay
foaming at the mouth and art of his guts lay at his feet.$Alas,' said the King, $this is to me a
full heavy sight to see this noble duke so die for my sake, for he would haveheled me that
had more need of hel than . Alas that he would not comlain him for his heart was so set to
helme. 7ow esu have mercy uon his soul.'Then Sir 2edivere wet for the death of his
brother.$7ow leave this morning and weeing, gentle knight,' said the King, $for all this will not
avail me. 0or wit thouwell, and might live myself, the death of Sir 1ucan would grieve me
evermore. 2ut my time asseth on fast,' saidthe King.$Therefore,' said King Arthur unto Sir
2edivere, $take thou here "xcalibur my good sword and go with it to yonderwater+s side3
and when thou comest there charge thee throw my sword in that water and come again and
tell mewhat thou saw there'.$My lord,' said 2edivere, $ your commandment shall be done,
and shall quickly bring your sword again.'So Sir 2edevere dearted. And by the way he
beheld that noble sword, that the hilt and hand guard was all reciousstones. And then he
said to himself, $f throw this rich sword in the water, thereof shall never come good, but
harmand loss.' And then Sir 2edivere hid "xcalibur under a tree. And so, as soon as he
might, he came again unto theKing and said he had been at the water and had thrown the
sword into the water.$*hat did you see there/' said the King.
$Sir,' he said, $ saw nothing but waves and winds.'$That is untruly said of you,' said the
King. $And therefore you go quickly again and do my commandment3 as youare to me loved
and dear, sare not, but throw it in.'Then Sir 2edeivere returned again and took the sword in
his hand. And yet he thought sin and shame to throw awaythat noble sword. And so again
he hid the sword and returned again and told the King, that he had been at the waterand
done his commandment.$*hat did you see there/' said the King.$Sir,' he said, $ saw nothing
but waters la and waves grow.'$Ah, traitor unto me and untrue,' said King Arthur, $now you
have betrayed me twice. *ho would have weened thatyou have been to me so loved and
dear, and you are named a noble knight, and would betray me for the riches of thissword.
2ut now go again lightly, for you long tarrying ut me in great :eoardy of my life, for have
taken cold. And but if you do now as bid you, if ever may see you shall slay you with my
own hands, for you would for my richsword see me dead'.Then Sir 2edivere dearted and
went to the sword and lightly took it u, and so he went to the water9s side6 andthere he
bound the girdle about the hilts, and threw the sword as far into the water as he might. And
there came anarm and a hand above the water and took it and clutched it , and shook it
thrice and brandished6 ands then vanishedaway the hand with the sword into the water. So
Sir 2edivere came again to the King and told him what he saw.$Alas,' said the King, $hel me
hence, for dread me have tarried overlong.'Then Sir 2edivere took the King uon his back
and so went with him to that water9s side, even closer, by the bankfloated a little barge with
many fair ladies in it6 and among them all was a queen6 and all they had black hoods,
andall they wet and shrieked when they saw King Arthur.$7ow ut me into that barge,' said
the King6 and so he did softly. And there received him three ladies with greatmourning, and
so they set them down. And in one of their las King Arthur laid his head, and then the queen
said,$Ah, my dear brother, why have ye tarried so long from me/ Alas, this wound on your
head had caught overmuchcold.' And anon they rowed fromward the land, and Sir 2edivere
beheld all the ladies go forward him,.'Then Sir 2edivere cried and said, $Ah, my lord Arthur,
what shall become of me, now you go from me and leave mehere alone among my
enemies/'$4omfort yourself,' said the King, $and do as well as you may, for in me is no trust
in. 0or must into the legendaryvalley to heal me of my grievous wound. And f you hear
nevermore of me, ray for my soul.'0or ever the queen and ladies wet and shrieked, that it
was ity to hear. And as soon as Sir 2edivere had lost sightof the barge he wet and wailed,
and so took the forest and went all that night.And in the morning he was ware, betwixt two
bare woods, of a chael and a hermitage. Then was Sir 2edivere glad,and thither he went,
and when he came into the chael he saw where lay a hermit groveling on all fours,
closethereby a tomb was new dug. *hen the hermit saw Sir 2edivere he knew him well, for
he was but little before2isho of 4anterbury, that Sir Modred ut to flight.$Sir,' said Sir 2edivere,
$what man is there here interred that you ray so fast for/'$0air son,' said the hermit. $ wot
not verily but by guessing. 2ut this same night, at midnight, here came a numberof ladies
and brought here a dead corse and rayed me to inter him. And here they offered a hundred
taers, andgave me a thousand gold coins.' Alas,' said Sir 2edivere,' that was my lord King
Arthur,which laid here buried in this chael.'Then Sir 2edivere swooned, and when he awoke
he rayedthe hermit that he might abide with him still, there to livewith fasting and
rayers3$0or from hence will never go,' said Sir 2edivere,' by mywill, but all the days of my
life here to ray for my lordArthur.'$Sir, you are welcome to me,' said the hermit, $for
knowyou better than you think That do3 for you are Sir 2ediverethe 2old, and the full noble
duke Sir 1ucan the 2utler wasyour brother.'Then Sir 2edivere told the hermit all as you have
heard before, and so he stayed with the hermit that was beforehand 2isho of 4anterbury.
And there Sir 2edivere ut uon him oor clothes, and served the hermit full lowlyin fasting and
in rayers.Thus of Arthur find no more written in books that beenauthori(ed, neither more of
the very certainty of his deathheard i nor read, but thus was he led away in a shi
whereinwere three queens6 that one was King Arthur+s sister, ;ueenMorgan le 0ay, the
other was the ;ueen of 7orth )alis, andthe third was the ;ueen of the *aste 1ands. 7ow more
of the death of King Arthur could never find, but that these ladies brought him to his grave,
and such onewas interred there which the hermit bare witness that wasonce 2isho of
4anterbury. 2ut yet the hermit knew not incertain that he was verily the body of King Arthur6
for thistale Sir 2edivere, a knight of the Table 5ound, made it to bewritten.<et some men say
in many arts of "ngland that KingArthur is not dead, but carried by the will of our 1ord esuinto
another lace6 and men say that he shall come again,and he shall win the %oly 4ross. <et
will not say that itshall be so, but rather would say3 here in this world hechanged his life.
And many men say that there is writtenuon the tomb this*ere lies Arthur! who was once
$ingand $ing will be again