第 四百九十三 章 · How by misadventure of an adder the battle began, where

. How by misadventure of an adder the battle began, where

Mordred was slain, and Arthur hurt to the death.

Then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should

meet betwixt both their hosts, and everych of them should bring

fourteen persons; and they came with this word unto Arthur. Then said

he: I am glad that this is done: and so he went into the field. And

when Arthur should depart, he warned all his host that an they see any

sword drawn: Look ye come on fiercely, and slay that traitor, Sir

Mordred, for I in no wise trust him. In like wise Sir Mordred warned

his host that: An ye see any sword drawn, look that ye come on

fiercely, and so slay all that ever before you standeth; for in no wise

I will not trust for this treaty, for I know well my father will be

avenged on me. And so they met as their appointment was, and so they

were agreed and accorded thoroughly; and wine was fetched, and they

drank. Right soon came an adder out of a little heath bush, and it

stung a knight on the foot. And when the knight felt him stung, he

looked down and saw the adder, and then he drew his sword to slay the

adder, and thought of none other harm. And when the host on both

parties saw that sword drawn, then they blew beams, trumpets, and

horns, and shouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them together. And

King Arthur took his horse, and said: Alas this unhappy day! and so

rode to his party. And Sir Mordred in like wise. And never was there

seen a more dolefuller battle in no Christian land; for there was but

rushing and riding, foining and striking, and many a grim word was

there spoken either to other, and many a deadly stroke. But ever King

Arthur rode throughout the battle of Sir Mordred many times, and did

full nobly as a noble king should, and at all times he fainted never;

and Sir Mordred that day put him in devoir, and in great peril. And

thus they fought all the long day, and never stinted till the noble

knights were laid to the cold earth; and ever they fought still till it

was near night, and by that time was there an hundred thousand laid

dead upon the down. Then was Arthur wood wroth out of measure, when he

saw his people so slain from him.

Then the king looked about him, and then was he ware, of all his host

and of all his good knights, were left no more alive but two knights;

that one was Sir Lucan the Butler, and his brother Sir Bedivere, and

they were full sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king, where are all

my noble knights become? Alas that ever I should see this doleful day,

for now, said Arthur, I am come to mine end. But would to God that I

wist where were that traitor Sir Mordred, that hath caused all this

mischief. Then was King Arthur ware where Sir Mordred leaned upon his

sword among a great heap of dead men. Now give me my spear, said Arthur

unto Sir Lucan, for yonder I have espied the traitor that all this woe

hath wrought. Sir, let him be, said Sir Lucan, for he is unhappy; and

if ye pass this unhappy day ye shall be right well revenged upon him.

Good lord, remember ye of your night’s dream, and what the spirit of

Sir Gawaine told you this night, yet God of his great goodness hath

preserved you hitherto. Therefore, for God’s sake, my lord, leave off

by this, for blessed be God ye have won the field, for here we be three

alive, and with Sir Mordred is none alive; and if ye leave off now this

wicked day of destiny is past. Tide me death, betide me life, saith the

king, now I see him yonder alone he shall never escape mine hands, for

at a better avail shall I never have him. God speed you well, said Sir

Bedivere.

Then the king gat his spear in both his hands, and ran toward Sir

Mordred, crying: Traitor, now is thy death-day come. And when Sir

Mordred heard Sir Arthur, he ran until him with his sword drawn in his

hand. And there King Arthur smote Sir Mordred under the shield, with a

foin of his spear, throughout the body, more than a fathom. And when

Sir Mordred felt that he had his death wound he thrust himself with the

might that he had up to the bur of King Arthur’s spear. And right so he

smote his father Arthur, with his sword holden in both his hands, on

the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet and the

brain-pan, and therewithal Sir Mordred fell stark dead to the earth;

and the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth, and there he swooned

ofttimes. And Sir Lucan the Butler and Sir Bedivere ofttimes heaved him

up. And so weakly they led him betwixt them both, to a little chapel

not far from the seaside. And when the king was there he thought him

well eased.

Then heard they people cry in the field. Now go thou, Sir Lucan, said

the king, and do me to wit what betokens that noise in the field. So

Sir Lucan departed, for he was grievously wounded in many places. And

so as he yede, he saw and hearkened by the moonlight, how that pillers

and robbers were come into the field, to pill and to rob many a full

noble knight of brooches, and beads, of many a good ring, and of many a

rich jewel; and who that were not dead all out, there they slew them

for their harness and their riches. When Sir Lucan understood this

work, he came to the king as soon as he might, and told him all what he

had heard and seen. Therefore by my rede, said Sir Lucan, it is best

that we bring you to some town. I would it were so, said the king.