an Adder came forth of Bush, stunge one of king Arthirs Knights below his knee; 50 alacke! this was a woefull chance as euer was in christentye!
the Knight he found him wounded there, & see the wild worme there to bee; his sword out of his scabberd he drew; 55 alas! itt was the more pittye!
& when these 2 osts saw they sword drawen, thé Ioyned battell certainlye, Till of a 100: 1000: men of one side was left but 3. 60
but all were slaine that durst abyde, but some awaye that did flee. King Arthur upon his owne partye himselfe aliue cold be,
& Lukin the Duke of Gloster, 65 & Bedever his Butler certainlye the King looked about him there & saw his Knights all slaine to bee;
"Alas!" then sayd noble King Arthur "that ever this sight I see! 70 to see all my good Knights lye slaine, & the traitor yett aliue to bee!
loe where he leanes vpon his sword hillts amongst his dead men certainlye! I will goe slay him att this time; 75 neuer att better advantage I shall him see."
"Nay! stay here, my Leege!" then said the Duke, "for loue and charitye! for wee haue the battell woone, for yett aliue we are but 3:" 80
the king wold not be perswaded then, but his horsse then mounted hee; his Butler [that] helped him to horsse, his bowells gushed to his knee.
"Alas!" then said noble king Arthur, 85 "that this sight I euer see, to see this good knight for to be slaine for loue for to helpe mee!"
he put his speare into his rest, & att his sonne he ryd feirclye, 90 & through him there his speare he thrust a fatham thorrow his body.
the sonne he felld him wounded there, & knew his death then to bee; he thrust himselfe vpon his speare, 95 & gaue his father a wound certainlye.
but there dyed Sir Mordred presently vpon that tree. but or ere the King returned againe, his butler was dead certainlye. 100
then bespake him Noble King Arthur, these were the words sayd hee, sayes "take my sword Escalberd from my side fayre & free, & throw itt into this riuer heere; 105 for all the vse of weapons Ile deliuer vppe, heere vnderneath this tree."
the Duke to the riuer side he went, & his sword in threw hee; & then he kept Escalberd, 110 I tell you certainlye;
& then he came to tell the King, the king said, "Lukin what did thou see?" noe thing, my leege," the[n] sayd the duke, "I tell you certainlye." 115