“Sir Modred; he the nearest to the king,
His nephew, ever like a subtle beast
Lay couchant with his eyes upon the throne,
Ready to spring, waiting a chance.”

—­Guinevere

Then was it agreed that King Arthur and Sir Modred should meet betwixt both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen persons, and then and there they should sign the treaty.  And when King Arthur and his knights were prepared to go forth, he warned all his host, “If so be ye see any sword drawn, look ye come on fiercely, and slay whomsoever withstandeth, for I in no wise trust that traitor, Sir Modred.”  In like wise Sir Modred warned his host.  So they met, and were agreed and accorded thoroughly.  And wine was brought, and they drank.  Right then came an adder out of a little heath-bush, and stung a knight on the foot.  And when the knight felt him sting, he looked down and saw the adder, and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of no other harm.  And when the host on both sides saw that sword drawn, they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted greatly.  And King Arthur took his horse, and rode to his party, saying, “Alas, this unhappy day!” And Sir Modred did in like wise.  And never was there a more doleful battle in Christian land.  And ever King Arthur rode throughout the battle, and did full nobly, as a worthy king should, and Sir Modred that day did his devoir, and put himself in great peril.  And thus they fought all the long day, till the most of all the noble knights lay dead upon the ground.  Then the king looked about him, and saw of all his host were left alive but two knights, Sir Lucan, the butler, and Sir Bedivere, his brother, and they were full sore wounded.  Then King Arthur saw where Sir Modred leaned upon his sword among a great heap of dead men.  “Now give me my spear,” said Arthur unto Sir Lucan; “for yonder I espy the traitor that hast wrought all this woe.”  “Sir, let him be,” said Sir Lucan; “for if ye pass this unhappy day, ye shall be right well revenged upon him.  Remember what the sprite of Sir Gawain told you, and leave off now, for ye have won the field; and if ye leave off now this evil day of destiny is past.”  “Betide me life, betide me death,” said King Arthur, “he shall not now escape my hands.”  Then the king took his spear in both hands, and ran toward Sir Modred, crying, “Traitor, now is thy death-day come.”  And there King Arthur smote Sir Modred under the shield, with a thrust of his spear through the body.  And when Sir Modred felt that he had his death-wound, with the might that he had he smote King Arthur, with his sword holden in both his hands, on the side of the head, that the sword pierced the helmet and the brain-pan; and then Sir Modred fell stark dead upon the earth.  And the noble Arthur fell in a swoon to the earth.  And Sir Lucan, the butler, and Sir Bedivere raised him up, and gently led him betwixt them both to a little chapel not far from the sea-side.