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           Thisswordhathbeeninmykeepingnowforalmosttwelvemonths,andyesterdayQueenMorganleFay,wifeofKingUrience,sentittomebyadwarf,thattherewithImightinsomewayslayherbrother,KingArthur;forthoumustunderstandthatKingArthuristhemanshehatethmostinalltheworld,beingfullofenvyandjealousybecauseheisofgreaterworshipandrenownthananyotherofherblood.Shelovethmealsoasmuchasshedothhatehim;andifshemightcontrivetoslayKingArthurbyhercraftandmagic,thenwouldshestraightwaykillherhusbandalso,andmakemethekingofallthisland,andherselfmyqueen,toreignwithme;butnow,”saidhe,“allthatisover,forthisdayIamcometomydeath.”

           “Itwouldhavebeensoretreasonoftheetodestroythylord,”saidArthur.“Thousayesttruly,”answeredhe;“butnowthatIhavetoldthee,andopenlyconfessedtotheeallthatfoultreasonwhereofInowdobitterlyrepent,tellme,Ipraythee,whenceartthou,andofwhatcourt?”“O,SirAccolon!”saidKingArthur,“learnthatIammyselfKingArthur.”WhenSirAccolonheardthishecriedaloud,“Alas,mygraciouslord!havemercyonme,forIknewtheenot.”“Thoushalthavemercy,”saidhe,“forthouknewestnotmypersonatthistime;andthoughbythineownconfessionthouartatraitor,yetdoIblametheeless,becausethouhastbeenblindedbythefalsecraftsofmysisterMorganleFay,whomIhavetrustedmorethanallothersofmykin,andwhomInowshallknowwellhowtopunish.