_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: Jesu save my lord king Arthur, and king
Uriens, for these damsels 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 damsels 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 morn 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 private: and what damsel that bringeth her the knight’s head that 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 Sir 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 tofore 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 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 upon horseback there came a damsel
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 you here your sword for great love. And he thanked her, and
wend it had been so, but she was false, for the sword and the scabbard
was counterfeit, and brittle, and false.