bondage, and sent them away with rich gifts.  When he had righted the wrongs of others, then he summoned Sir Damas before him, and said:  “I command thee that thou tell me why thou didst seek my destruction.”  And cringing low at the King’s footstool, Damas answered:  “I beseech you, deal mercifully with me, for all that I have done, I have done at the bidding of Queen Morgan le Fay.”  “A coward’s plea,” said the King; “how camest thou first to have traffic with her?” “Sir,” replied Damas, “much have I suffered, first by the greed of my younger brother and now by the deceit of this evil woman, as ye shall hear.  When my father died, I claimed the inheritance as of right, seeing that I was his elder son; but my young brother, Sir Ontzlake, withstood me, and demanded some part of my father’s lands.  Long since, he sent me a challenge to decide our quarrel in single combat, but it liked me ill, seeing that I am of no great strength.  Much, therefore, did I desire to find a champion but, by ill fortune, none could I find until Queen Morgan le Fay sent word that, of her good will to me, she had sent me one that would defend my cause; and that same evening, the little ship brought you, my lord, to my castle.  And when I saw you, I rejoiced, thinking to have found a champion that would silence my brother for ever; nor knew I you for the King’s self.  Wherefore, I entreat you, spare me, and avenge me on my brother.”  Therewith, Sir Damas fawned upon the King, but Arthur sternly bade him rise and send messengers to bring Sir Ontzlake before him.

Presently, there stood before the King a youth, fair and of good stature, who saluted his lord and then remained silent before him.  “Sir Ontzlake,” said the King, “I have sent for you to know of your dealings with Sir Accolon and of your quarrel with your brother.”  “My lord Arthur,” answered the youth, “that I was the cause of hurt to yourself, I pray you to pardon me, for all unwitting was I of evil.  For ye shall know that I had challenged my brother to single combat; but when word came to me that he was provided of a champion, I might not so much as brook my armour for a sore wound that I had got of an arrow shot at me as I rode through the forest near his castle.  And as I grieved for my hard case, there came a messenger from Queen Morgan le Fay bidding me be of good courage, for she had sent unto me one, Sir Accolon, who would undertake my quarrel.  This only she commanded me, that I should ask no question of Sir Accolon.  So Sir Accolon abode with me that night and, as I supposed, fought in my cause the next day.  Sure am I that there is some mystery, yet may I not misdoubt my lady Queen Morgan le Fay without cause; wherefore, if blame there be, let me bear the punishment.”