Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-07-13

to you anon. Speak fair to her that
she will give you that sword"
Herewith came the damsel to King
Arthur and saluted him. "Damsel,"
said the king, what sword is that
which the arm holdeth yonder above
the water? would 1t were mine, for
I have no sword" "Sir King" said
the Lady of the Lake. "that sword is
mine. If ye will give me a gift when
ask it of you, ye shall have it"-"By
my faith," said King Arthur, II will
give you any gift that you will ask or
desire"
"Well," said the damsel, "go We into
yonder barge. Row yourself unto the
sword. Take it and the scabbard with
you. viii ask my gift when l see my
time"
So King Arthur and Merlin tied
their horses to two trees and went
into the barge. When they came to
the sword that the hand held. King
Arthur took it up by the handles. The
arm and the hand went under the
water Then King Arthur looked upon
the sword and liked 1t passing well.
whether liketh you better?" said
Merlin, "the sword or the scabbard?"
"Me liketh better the sword" said
King Arthur.-"Ye are unwise," said
Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten
of the sword. While ye have the scab-
bard upon you, ye shall lose no blood,
be We never so sore wounded. There
fore keep we'll the scabbard alway
with you"
Part 1.-THE Payment for Excalibur.
Some time after, King Arthur and
his knights came to Camelot. Thither
also came a damsel with a message.
She came before King Arthur and
let her mantle fall. and behold, she
was girded with noble sword.
At this the king marveled. Dam
SELL" said he, "for what cause are ye
grid with that sword?"
'tNow shall tell you,'' said she.
This sword doth me great sorrow. But
I may not be freed from 1t, except by
a passing good knight. He alone may
draw the sword from the scabbard."
II will myself assay to draw out the
sword" said Arthur.
He took the sword by the scabbard
and the girdle and pulled eagerly. But
the sword would not out
"Sir," said the damsel, ''ye need not
pull half so hard. He that shall pull
it out, shall do it with ease"
"Now, assay We, all my barons,"
said King Arthur.
The barons Of the Round Table as
sayed all in turn. 1t was in vain.
"Alas!" cried the damsel. 81 thought
in this court had been the best knights
in the world"
"And so there are" said the king.
It happened at this time that there
was a poor knight with King Arthur.
He was a prisoner, for he had slain
cousin of the king. He was named
Balm.
He went into the court and would
have tried the sword. But he was SO
poorly dressed, that he was ashamed
to put himslef forward.
AS the damsel took her leave OF
King Arthur, Balm called to her.
pray you to suffer me to-
assay as these lords here. am poor
.ly clothed, but I believe shall speed
right WELL"
Then Balm took the sword by the
scabbard and drew it out easily.
And now there came into the court
the Lady of the Lake. She saluted the
king. and asked the gift that he had
promised
+ "That is true" said King Arthur,
ga gift / promised you. ! have, now
ever, forgotten the name OF the sword
which We gave me. =,
s'Tbe name Of it," said the lady, lis
Excalibur, which means cut-steel
aye saw WE'LL" said King Arthur.
"Ask what We will, and We shall have
it. if it be in my power to give
well" said the Lady of the Lake,
"I ask the head of the knight that
hath won the sword, or else the dam
sells head that brought 1t. He slew my
brother, a good knight and true, and
she caused my fathers death"
"Truly," said King Arthur, Il may
not grant you either of their heads:
Therefore, ask what ye will else, and
shall fulfill your desire"
81 will ask none other thing Of you"
said the lady.
When Balm was ready to depart, he
saw the Lady of the Lake. She had
slain his own mother, and he had
sought her three years. He went to
her and said: EVIL be upon We. Ye
would have my head, and therefore ye
shall lose yours!" And with his sword
lightly he smote off her head, IN the
presence of King Arthur.
"Alas! for shame" said the king.
"Why have ye done SO? This was
lady that I was much beholden upto.
shall never forgive that trespass.'
"My lord" said Balm, this lady was
the untruest lady living. By her en-
chantment she hath destroyed many
good knights"
Then King Arthur and all his court
made great dole for the death OF the
Lady Of the Lake. Then the king full
richly buried her.
Part III. The Return Of Excallbur.
Years had passed, and one sad day
Arthur and his knights fought great
battle by the western sea. The day
went sore against them Most of the
knights were slain, and the king him
self was wounded.