d over the stone, and do ye lords appoint
ten of your number to watch over it, and we will essay the sword again
after New Year's Day.'

So that the kings and lords should be kept together, the archbishop
appointed a great tournament to be held on New Year's Day on the waste
land north of the city, which men now call Smithfield.

Now when the day was come, a certain lord, Sir Ector de Morven, who had
great lands about the isle of Thorney, rode towards the jousts with his
son, Sir Kay, and young Arthur, who was Sir Kay's foster-brother. When
they had got nearly to the place, suddenly Sir Kay bethought him that
he had left his sword at home.

'Do you ride back, young Arthur,' he said, 'and fetch me my sword, for
if I do not have it I may not fight.'

Willingly Arthur turned his horse and rode back swiftly. But when he
had arrived at the house, he found it shut up and none was within, for
all had gone to the jousts. Then was he a little wroth, and rode back
wondering how he should obtain a sword for his foster-brother.

Suddenly, as he saw the tower of St. Paul's church through the trees,
he bethought him of the sword in the stone, about which many men had
spoken in his hearing.

'I will ride thither,' said he, 'and see if I may get that sword for my
brother, for he shall not be without a sword this day.'

When he came to the churchyard, he tied his horse to the stile, and
went through the grave-mounds to the tent wherein was the sword. He
found the place unwatched, and the flashing sword was sticking by the
point in the stone.

Lightly he grasped the handle of the sword with one hand, and it came
forth straightway!

Then, glad that his brother should not be without a sword, he swiftly
gat upon his horse and rode on, and delivered the sword to Sir Kay, and
thought no more of aught but the splendid knights and richly garbed
lords that were at the jousts.

But Sir Kay looked at the sword, and the writing, and knew it was the
sword of the stone, and marvelled how young Arthur had possessed
himself thereof; and being of a covetous and sour mind he thought how
he might make advantage for himself. He went to his father, Sir Ector,
and said:

'Lo, father, this is the sword of the stone, and surely am I rightful
king.'

Sir Ector knew the sword and marvelled, but his look was stern as he
gazed into the crafty eyes of his son.

'Come ye with me,' he said, and all three rode to the church, and alit
from their horse