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Chapter XIV
AndwhenSirModredfelthehadhisdeathwound,hethrusthimselfwithallhismightuptotheendofKingArthur’sspear,andsmotehisfather,Arthur,withhissworduponthehead,sothatitpiercedbothhelmandbrain-pan.
AndtherewithSirModredfelldownstarkdeadtotheearth,andKingArthurfelldownalsoinaswoon,andswoonedmanytimes.
ThenSirLucanandSirBediverecameandbarehimawaytoalittlechapelbythesea-shore.AndthereSirLucansankdownwiththebleedingofhisownwounds,andfelldead.
AndKingArthurlaylonginaswoon,andwhenhecametohimself,hefoundSirLucanlyingdeadbesidehim,andSirBedivereweepingoverthebodyofhisbrother.
ThensaidthekingtoSirBedivere,“Weepingwillavailnolonger,elsewouldIgrieveforevermore.Alas!nowisthefellowshipoftheRoundTabledissolvedforever,andallmyrealmIhavesolovediswastedwithwar.Butmytimehiethfast,whereforetakethouExcalibur,mygoodsword,andgotherewithtoyonderwater-sideandthrowitin,andbringmewordwhatthingthouseest.”
SoSirBediveredeparted;butashewenthelookeduponthesword,thehiltwhereofwasallinlaidwithpreciousstonesexceedingrich.Andpresentlyhesaidwithinhimself,“IfInowthrowthisswordintothewater,whatgoodshouldcomeofit?”Sohehidtheswordamongthereeds,andcameagaintotheking.
“Whatsawestthou?”saidhetoSirBedivere.
“Lord,”saidhe,“Isawnothingelsebutwindandwaves.”
“Thouhastuntrulyspoken,”saidtheking;“whereforegolightlybackandthrowitin,andsparenot.
