第 六十九 章 · How Accolon found himself by a well, and he took upon him

. How Accolon found himself by a well, and he took upon him

to do battle against Arthur.

Now turn we unto Accolon of Gaul, that when he awoke he found himself

by a deep well-side, within half a foot, in great peril of death. And

there came out of that fountain a pipe of silver, and out of that pipe

ran water all on high in a stone of marble. When Sir Accolon saw this,

he blessed him and said, Jesus save my lord King Arthur, and King

Uriens, for these damosels in this ship have betrayed us, they were

devils and no women; and if I may escape this misadventure, I shall

destroy all where I may find these false damosels that use

enchantments. Right with that there came a dwarf with a great mouth and

a flat nose, and saluted Sir Accolon, and said how he came from Queen

Morgan le Fay, and she greeteth you well, and biddeth you be of strong

heart, for ye shall fight to morrow with a knight at the hour of prime,

and therefore she hath sent you here Excalibur, Arthur’s sword, and the

scabbard, and she biddeth you as ye love her, that ye do the battle to

the uttermost, without any mercy, like as ye had promised her when ye

spake together in privity; and what damosel that bringeth her the

knight’s head, which ye shall fight withal, she will make her a queen.

Now I understand you well, said Accolon, I shall hold that I have

promised her now I have the sword: when saw ye my lady Queen Morgan le

Fay? Right late, said the dwarf. Then Accolon took him in his arms and

said, Recommend me unto my lady queen, and tell her all shall be done

that I have promised her, and else I will die for it. Now I suppose,

said Accolon, she hath made all these crafts and enchantments for this

battle. Ye may well believe it, said the dwarf. Right so there came a

knight and a lady with six squires, and saluted Accolon, and prayed him

for to arise, and come and rest him at his manor. And so Accolon

mounted upon a void horse, and went with the knight unto a fair manor

by a priory, and there he had passing good cheer.

Then Sir Damas sent unto his brother Sir Ontzlake, and bade make him

ready by to-morn at the hour of prime, and to be in the field to fight

with a good knight, for he had found a good knight that was ready to do

battle at all points. When this word came unto Sir Ontzlake he was

passing heavy, for he was wounded a little to-fore through both his

thighs with a spear, and made great dole; but as he was wounded, he

would have taken the battle on hand. So it happed at that time, by the

means of Morgan le Fay, Accolon was with Sir Ontzlake lodged; and when

he heard of that battle, and how Ontzlake was wounded, he said that he

would fight for him. Because Morgan le Fay had sent him Excalibur and

the sheath for to fight with the knight on the morn: this was the cause

Sir Accolon took the battle on hand. Then Sir Ontzlake was passing

glad, and thanked Sir Accolon with all his heart that he would do so

much for him. And therewithal Sir Ontzlake sent word unto his brother

Sir Damas, that he had a knight that for him should be ready in the

field by the hour of prime.

So on the morn Sir Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir

Damas, When shall we to the field? Sir, said Sir Damas, ye shall hear

mass. And so Arthur heard a mass, and when mass was done there came a

squire on a great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready,

for our knight is ready in the field. Then Sir Arthur mounted upon

horseback, and there were all the knights and commons of that country;

and so by all advices there were chosen twelve good men of the country

for to wait upon the two knights. And right as Arthur was on horseback

there came a damosel from Morgan le Fay, and brought unto Sir Arthur a

sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said unto Arthur,

Morgan le Fay sendeth here your sword for great love. And he thanked

her, and weened it had been so, but she was false, for the sword and

the scabbard was counterfeit, and brittle, and false.