.fUJiMS UJLD AND NEW
* I saw nothing but the waters wap and the waves wan.*
e Ah ! traitor, untrue,' said King Arthur, 6 now hast
thou betrayed me two times, who would have weened
that thou that hast been unto me so lief and dear,
and thou art named a noble knight, and wouldest
betray me for the rich sword. But now go again
lightly, for thy long tarrying putteth me in great
jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold ; and but
if thou do as I command thee, and if ever I may see
thee, I shall slay thee with mine own hands, for thou
wouldst for my rich sword see me dead.' Then
Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and
lightly took it up and went to the water's side, and
there he bound the girdle about the hilts. And then
he threw the sword into the water as far as he might,
and there came an arm and a hand above the water,
and met it and caught it, and so shook it thrice and
brandished. And then the hand vanished away with
the sword in the water.
" So Sir Bedivere came again to the King, and told
him what he had seen. 6 Alas ! ' said the King, e help
me from hence ; for I dread me I have tarried over
long.' Then Sir Bedivere took King Arthur upon his
back, and so went with him to the water's side ; and,
when they were at the water's side, even fast by the
bank hovered a little barge, with many fair ladies in
it : and among them all was a queen, and all they had
black hoods ; and they wept and shrieked when
they saw King Arthur.
<e ' Now put me into the barge,' said the King. And
so he did softly, and there received him three queens
with great mourning ; and so these three queens sat
them down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid
his head. And then that queen said, c Ah ! dear
brother, why have ye tarried so long from me ? Alas !
this wound on your head hath taken overmuch cold.'
And so then they rowed from the land ; and Sir
Bedivere beheld all those ladies go from him. Then
Sir Bedivere cried, ' Ah 1 my lord Arthur, what shall
become of me now ye go from me, and leave me
here alone among mine enemies ! * * Comfort thy-
self,' said King Arthur, s and do as well as thou mayest;
for in me is no trust for to trust in : for**! will into the
vale of Avilion, for to heal me of my grievous wound ;
and., if thou never hear more of me, pray for my soul.*
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