"There was Modred slain, and deprived of life-day, and all his knights
slain in the fight. There were slain all the brave, Arthur's warriors,
high and low, and all the Britons of Arthur's board, and all his
dependents, of many kingdoms. And Arthur wounded with broad
slaughter-spear; fifteen dreadful wounds he had; in the least one might
thrust two gloves! Then was there no more remained in the fight, of two
hundred thousand men that there lay hewed in pieces, except Arthur the
king alone, and two of his knights. Arthur was wounded wondrously much.
There came to him a lad, who was of his kindred; he was Cador's son, the
earl of Cornwall; Constantine the lad hight, he was dear to the king.
Arthur looked on him, where he lay on the ground, and said these words,
with sorrowful heart: 'Constantine, thou art welcome; thou wert Cador's
son. I give thee here my kingdom, and defend thou my Britons ever in thy
life, and maintain them all the laws that have stood in my days, and all
the good laws that in Uther's days stood. And I will fare to Avalon, to
the fairest of all maidens, to Argante the queen, an elf most fair, and
she shall make my wounds all sound, make me all whole with healing
draughts. And afterwards I will come to my kingdom, and dwell with the
Britons with mickle joy.' Even with the words there approached from the
sea that was a short boat, floating with the waves; and two women therein,
wondrously formed; and they took Arthur anon, and bare him quickly, and
laid him softly down, and forth they 'gan depart. Then was it accomplished
that Merlin whilom said, that mickle care should be of Arthur's departure.
The Britons believe yet that he is alive, and dwelleth in Avalon with the
fairest of all elves; and the Britons ever yet expect when Arthur shall
return. Was never the man born, of any lady chosen, that knoweth, of the
sooth, to say more of Arthur. But whilom was a sage hight Merlin; he said
with words,--his sayings were sooth,--that an Arthur should yet come to
help the English."