Chapter Chapter 70 · Of the battle between King Arthur and Accolon.

. Of the battle between King Arthur and Accolon.

And then they dressed them on both parties of the field, and let their

horses run so fast that either smote other in the midst of the shield

with their spear-heads, that both horse and man went to the earth; and

then they started up both, and pulled out their swords. The meanwhile

that they were thus at the battle, came the Damosel of the Lake into

the field, that put Merlin under the stone; and she came thither for

love of King Arthur, for she knew how Morgan le Fay had so ordained

that King Arthur should have been slain that day, and therefore she

came to save his life. And so they went eagerly to the battle, and gave

many great strokes, but always Arthur’s sword bit not like Accolon’s

sword; but for the most part, every stroke that Accolon gave he wounded

sore Arthur, that it was marvel he stood, and always his blood fell

from him fast.

When Arthur beheld the ground so sore be-bled he was dismayed, and then

he deemed treason that his sword was changed; for his sword bit not

steel as it was wont to do, therefore he dreaded him sore to be dead,

for ever him seemed that the sword in Accolon’s hand was Excalibur, for

at every stroke that Accolon struck he drew blood on Arthur. Now,

knight, said Accolon unto Arthur, keep thee well from me; but Arthur

answered not again, and gave him such a buffet on the helm that it made

him to stoop, nigh falling down to the earth. Then Sir Accolon withdrew

him a little, and came on with Excalibur on high, and smote Sir Arthur

such a buffet that he fell nigh to the earth. Then were they wroth

both, and gave each other many sore strokes, but always Sir Arthur lost

so much blood that it was marvel he stood on his feet, but he was so

full of knighthood that knightly he endured the pain. And Sir Accolon

lost not a deal of blood, therefore he waxed passing light, and Sir

Arthur was passing feeble, and weened verily to have died; but for all

that he made countenance as though he might endure, and held Accolon as

short as he might. But Accolon was so bold because of Excalibur that he

waxed passing hardy. But all men that beheld him said they saw never

knight fight so well as Arthur did considering the blood that he bled.

So was all the people sorry for him, but the two brethren would not

accord. Then always they fought together as fierce knights, and Sir

Arthur withdrew him a little for to rest him, and Sir Accolon called

him to battle and said, It is no time for me to suffer thee to rest.

And therewith he came fiercely upon Arthur, and Sir Arthur was wroth

for the blood that he had lost, and smote Accolon on high upon the

helm, so mightily, that he made him nigh to fall to the earth; and

therewith Arthur’s sword brast at the cross, and fell in the grass

among the blood, and the pommel and the sure handles he held in his

hands. When Sir Arthur saw that, he was in great fear to die, but

always he held up his shield and lost no ground, nor bated no cheer.