So Sir Bedivere came again to the king, and told him what he had
seen. "Alas!" said the king, "help me from hence; for I dread me I
have tarried over long." Then Sir Bedivere took King Arthur upon his
back, and so went with him to the water's side; and, when they were at
the water's side, even fast by the bank hovered a little barge, with
many fair ladies in it: and among them all was a queen, and they all
had black hoods; and they wept and shrieked when they saw King Arthur.

"Now put me into the barge," said the king. And so he did softly, and
there received him three queens with great mourning; and so these
three queens sat them down, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid
his head. And then that queen said: "Ah! dear brother, why have ye
tarried so long from me? Alas! this wound on your head hath taken
overmuch cold." And so then they rowed from the land; and Sir Bedivere
cried, "Ah! my lord Arthur, what shall become of me now ye go from me,
and leave me here alone among mine enemies?" "Comfort thyself," said
King Arthur, "and do as well as thou mayest; for in me is no trust for
to trust in: for I will into the vale of Avilion, for to heal me of my
grievous wound; and, if thou never hear more of me, pray for my soul."




SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE CASTLE PERILOUS

Retold by Beatrice Clay


Now, as time passed, King Arthur gathered into his Order of the Round