all shall be done that I have promised her, and
else I will die for it. Now I suppose, said Accolon, she hath made all
these crafts and enchantments for this battle. Ye may well believe
it, said the dwarf. Right so there came a knight and a lady with six
squires, and saluted Accolon, and prayed him for to arise, and come and
rest him at his manor. And so Accolon mounted upon a void horse, and
went with the knight unto a fair manor by a priory, and there he had
passing good cheer.

Then Sir Damas sent unto his brother Sir Ontzlake, and bade make him
ready by to-morn at the hour of prime, and to be in the field to fight
with a good knight, for he had found a good knight that was ready to
do battle at all points. When this word came unto Sir Ontzlake he was
passing heavy, for he was wounded a little to-fore through both his
thighs with a spear, and made great dole; but as he was wounded, he
would have taken the battle on hand. So it happed at that time, by the
means of Morgan le Fay, Accolon was with Sir Ontzlake lodged; and when
he heard of that battle, and how Ontzlake was wounded, he said that he
would fight for him. Because Morgan le Fay had sent him Excalibur and
the sheath for to fight with the knight on the morn: this was the cause
Sir Accolon took the battle on hand. Then Sir Ontzlake was passing glad,
and thanked Sir Accolon with all his heart that he would do so much for
him. And therewithal Sir Ontzlake sent word unto his brother Sir Damas,
that he had a knight that for him should be ready in the field by the
hour of prime.

So on the morn Sir Arthur was armed and well horsed, and asked Sir
Damas, When shall we to the field? Sir, said Sir Damas, ye shall hear
mass. And so Arthur heard a mass, and when mass was done there came a
squire on a great horse, and asked Sir Damas if his knight were ready,
for our knight is ready in the field. Then Sir Arthur mounted upon
horseback, and there were all the knights and commons of that country;
and so by all advices there were chosen twelve good men of the country
for to wait upon the two knights. And right as Arthur was on horseback
there came a damosel from Morgan le Fay, and brought unto Sir Arthur
a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said unto Arthur,
Morgan le Fay sendeth here your sword for great love. And he thanked
her, and weened it had been so, but she was false, for the sword and the
scabbard was counterfeit, and brittle, and false.

CHAPTER