ound Sir
Gawaine lying in a boat, and that he was sore wounded. And the King
went to him and made moan over him: 'You were ever the man in the
world that I loved most,' said he, 'you and Sir Lancelot.' 'Mine uncle
King Arthur,' answered Sir Gawaine, 'my death day has come, and all
through my own fault. Had Sir Lancelot been with you as he used to be
this unhappy war had never begun, and of that I am the cause, for I
would not accord with him. And therefore, I pray you, give me paper,
pen, and ink that I may write to him.' So paper and ink were brought,
and Sir Gawaine was held up by King Arthur, and a letter was writ
wherein Sir Gawaine confessed that he was dying of an old wound given
him by Sir Lancelot in the siege of one of the cities across the sea,
and thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Merlin. 'Of a more noble man
might I not be slain,' said he. 'Also, Sir Lancelot, make no tarrying,
but come in haste to King Arthur, for sore bested is he with my
brother Sir Mordred, who has taken the crown, and would have wedded my
lady Queen Guenevere had she not sought safety in the Tower of London.
Pray for my soul, I beseech you, and visit my tomb.' And after writing
this letter, at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine gave up his spirit, and
was buried by the King in the chapel within Dover Castle. Then was it
told King Arthur that Sir Mordred had pitched a new field upon Barham
Down, and the next morning the King rode hither to him, and there was
a fierce battle between them, and many on both sides were slain. But
at the last King Arthur's party stood best, and Sir Mordred and his
men fled to Canterbury.

After the Knights which were dead had been buried, and those that were
wounded tended with healing salves, King Arthur drew westwards towards
Salisbury, and many of Sir Mordred's men followed after him, but they
that loved Sir Lancelot went unto Sir Mordred. And a day was fixed
between the King and Sir Mordred that they should meet upon a down
near Salisbury, and give battle once more. But the night before the
battle Sir Gawaine appeared unto the King in a vision, and warned him
not to fight next day, which was Trinity Sunday, as he would be slain
and many of his Knights also; but to make a truce for a month, and at
the end of that time Sir Lancelot would arrive, and would slay Sir
Mordred, and all his Knights with him. As soon as he awoke the King
called the Bishops and the wisest men of his army, and told them of
his vision,