'Tide me death, tide me life,' said the King, 'he shall not escape my
hands, for a better chance I shall never have,' and he took his spear
in both hands and ran towards Sir Mordred, crying 'Traitor! now is
your death day come,' and smote him under the shield, so that the
spear went through his body. And when Sir Mordred felt he had his
death wound, he raised himself up and struck King Arthur such a blow
that the sword clave his helmet, and then fell stark dead on the earth
again. When Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere saw that sight they carried the
King to a little chapel, but they hoped not to leave him there long,
for Sir Lucan had noted that many people were stealing out to rob the
slain of the ornaments on their armour. And those that were not dead
already they slew.

'Would that I could quit this place to go to some large town,' said
the King, when he had heard this, 'but I cannot stand, my head works
so. Ah, Lancelot, sorely have I missed thee.' At that Sir Lucan and
Sir Bedivere tried to lift him, but Sir Lucan had been grievously
wounded in the fight, and the blood burst forth again as he lifted
Arthur, and he died and fell at the feet of the King.

'Alas!' said the King, 'he has died for my sake, and he had more need
of help than I. But he would not complain, his heart was so set to
help me. And I should sorrow yet more if I were still to live long,
but my time flieth fast. Therefore, Sir Bedivere, cease moaning and
weeping, and take Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder
water side, and when thou comest there, I charge thee, throw my sword
in that water, and come again and tell me what thou hast seen.'

[Illustration: THE LAST BATTLE

Sir Mordred]

'My lord,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'your commandment shall be done,'
and he departed. But when he looked at that noble sword, and beheld
the jewels and gold that covered the pommel and hilt, he said to
himself, 'If I throw this rich sword into the water no good will come
of it, but only harm and loss'; so he hid Excalibur under a tree, and
returned unto the King and told him his bidding was done. 'What did
you see there?' asked the King.

'Sir,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'I saw nothing but the winds and the
waves.'

'You have not dealt truly with me,' said the King. 'Go back, and do my
command; spare not, but throw it in.' But again Sir Bedivere's heart
failed him, and he hid the sword, and returned to tell the King he had
seen nothing but the wan water.