The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-06

The prose work of Sir Thomas Mallory, which he called the Mort D'Arthur, is the principal mine from which the subse- quent Arthurlan romances have been quarried. Tennyson. in his Idyls of the King, made free use of 1t. sometimes talk ing whole sentences with but little change to fit them into his immortal blank verse. It is Idle to argue whether the Mort D'Arthur of Sir Thomas was before or after the metrcal romance of the same name in English. Malory's Mort D Arthur was printed by Caxton in 1495, and though its title would signify that it dealt only with the death of Arthur, 1t was in real ity an account of the life of that great British king from the time of his birth to his death. No man not obsessed by tne irritating and intolerant spirit of negativeI criticism can doubt the exis- tence of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. and no one can read the Mort D'Arthur with an unbiased mind and not feel that however legend may have warped and time have clouded the story of the Kings life. there Is in the work of Mallory a large element of genuine history. Also it cannot be doubt cd that the ..Arthurian legend has had a very considerable effect upon the charac- ter of British civilization. In the very dusk and dawn of Britain, as she emerged from the confusion consequent upon her abandonment by Rome, the slowly fading mistress of the world, high note was struck of honor. knight liness, ehivalry and valor which afford- ed subsequent ages something to look up to and strive for, even if it's excel lence could not be attained. In the fol- lowing adoption of the great work of Mallory use has been made only of that part of the narrative which deals with the last days of Arthur
 IN that season of the year, the merry
 month of May, when every heart ! hourisheth and burgeoneth; when the long winter with its rough winds Is ended and so many men and women re- joice for the coming of the summer with it's fresh flowers, there happened griev- ous thing which ended not until the flower of chivalry of all the world was destroyed and slain It was all along Of two unhappy knights, Sir Modred and Sir Agravaine, brothers of Sir Gawaine and Knights of the Round Table of King Ar thur. These two knights had ever a spiteful feeling against Sir Launcelot and a hidden hate unto the Queen, Guen- ever, and watched them both most close ly. And one day, as there was a com pany of knights assembled in King Ar thurs chamber, Agravaine said openly. so that many knights might hear:
 q wonder that we are not ashamed to see the treason which Launcelot works upon the King. There is that between the Queen and Launcelot which all men know only Arthur the King, and 1t Is shameful for us to let such a noble prince as is our Arthur to be thus wronged. Some one should tell him." The knights stood astonished at this outburst, and Sir Gawaine said:
 Brother, I pray you move in no such matter, and mention 1t not again before me-, 50, God help me-" said Sir Ga heris neither I nor Sir Gareth here will have aught to do with such matter" q will" spoke up Sir Modred. T will tell the King, come what may of it." You shall not do it by my advice" said Sir Gawaine, flor you may set on foot that which will breed war and wreck in this fair land You must realize that If the Queen shows more favor to Sir Launce- lot than to other knights he has many times rescued her from peril; as also he has rescued the King from death. Full oft has Launcelot proved himself a better knight than any of us all. Beware how bv base suspicion and half truths uncer- ssain, you breed discord between Arthur and Launcelot." We will not pause for that cried Sir Modred. "Will yet not?" retorted Gawaine. "Then God pity you, for I will not hear your tales nor be of your council"
 Sir Gawaine aIfd Sir Gareth went out straight, the former saying in grief: Now is mischief abroad, now is the realm threatened and noble fellowship destroyed" As the other knights pres ent strove to dissuade Modred and Az ravaine from their purpose the King en- tered the room and asked what they were disputing about. The other knights went out and the two conspirators being alone with the King, Modred said; 'Sir Agra vaine and myself did break to our broth CTS, Gaheris and Garetn. matters which deeply touch yourself; and they were angry and went out. Now we be both your sisters sons and we will bear 1t no longer that Launcelot works you such treason" Then he told all that he knew and more and all that he suspected of the relations of Launcelot and the Queen. If what you say is so," replied the King. "then is Launcelot indeed a traitor. But I will not believe it. Where are your proofs of such great charges. Beware what you say and what you do, for your heads shall pay it if you say what you cannot prove in this natter
 The next morning the King rode forth on a hunting expedition, sending word to the Queen that he would be gone all night. Sir Modred and Sir 3Agravainet got together 12 knights and hid in chamber of the castle of Carlisle. where the court then was. That evening Launcelot said to Sir Bors that he was going ro see the Queen. "Go not said Sir Bors, flor the King is away hunting and doubt me but trap has been laid for you.''
 But the Queen i,as sent to say that she would speak with me-" said Launce- lot "I shall not tarry. but return at once. What harm can there be in that? l must go since the Queen summons nae" :" And taking his sword under his arm, Launoelot left his lodgings and went to the castle. where he had audience of the Queen. sar;e
 As the two talked together there came a great knocking at the chamber door and Modred crying out: Traitor, Sir Launcelot du Lake. now art thou taken!" The Queen began to bewail her. but