_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 every each of them should bring
fourteen persons. And they came with this word unto king 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 and 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,—And 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 upon me. And so they met as their pointment was, and so they
were agreed and accorded thoroughly: and wine was fetched, and they
drank. Right so came an adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung
a knight on the foot. And when the knight felt him stungen, 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 beames, 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 likewise. 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 ground, 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 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 on live but
two knights, that was Sir Lucan de butlere, and his brother Sir
Bedivere: and they full were sore wounded. Jesu mercy, said the king,
where are all my noble knights becomen. 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 on live, and with Sir Mordred is none on live. 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 then 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’s
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 oft-times. And Sir Lucan de butlere and Sir
Bedivere oft-times heaved him up, and so weakly they led him betwixt
them both to a little chapel not far from the sea side. 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 went, he saw and
hearkened by the moon-light, how the pillers and robbers were come into
the field to pill and to rob many a full noble knight of broaches 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 mine advice, said Sir Lucan, it is best that we bring you
to some town. I would it were so, said the king,—