The Heart of Oak Books (Volume 5) (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR. From Morte D'Arthur. Sir Thomas Malory. . . . And Sir Mordred and his party fled unto Canterbury. . . . And at the last, Sir Mordred was agreed to have Cornwall and Kent by King Arthur's days, and after the days of King Arthur, to have all England to his obeisance. So then were they condescended that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet between both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen persons. And they came with this word unto King Arthur. "And then," said he, "I am glad that this is done." And so he went into the field. And when King Arthur should depart, he warned all his host that, and they saw any sword drawn, " look that ye come on fiercely, and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, for I in nowise trust him." In likewise Sir Mordred did warn his host that "if ye see any manner of sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that ever standeth before you; for in nowise I will not trust for this treaty, for I know well that my father will be avenged upon me." And so they were agreed, and accorded thoroughly. Right so came an adder out of a little heath bush, and stung a knight on the foot. And when the knight felt him stung, he looked down and saw the adder, and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none other harm. And when the hosts on both parties saw that sword drawn, they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them together, and King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas! this unhappy day:" and so herode to his post. And so Sir Mordred did in like wise, and never was there seen a dolefuller battle in Christian land. . . And ever they fought still till it was nigh night, and by that time was there an hundred thousand laid dead upon the down. Then wa...