“Now, Knight,” said King Arthur, “you have done me much hurt with this sword, but ere we part I shall reward you with it as well as you have rewarded me.” So he rushed upon Accolon with all his might, and pulled him to the earth, took off his helmet, and smote him such a buffet on the head that the blood gushed out of his ears, nose, and mouth.
“Now will I slay thee,” said King Arthur.
“Slay me you may,” answered Accolon, “if it please you; for you are the best knight that ever I met, and I see well that God is with you. But I promised to fight this battle to the uttermost, and so I cannot yield to you.”
Then it seemed to King Arthur that he knew the knight, so he asked him his name.
“Sir,” answered Accolon, “I am of the court of King Arthur, and my name is Accolon of Gaul.”
At this Arthur was sore troubled, for he remembered that Accolon was favoured by his sister Morgan le Fay.
“Sir Knight,” said he, “I pray you tell me who gave you this sword.”
“Accursed be the sword,” answered Accolon, “for it has given me my death.” Then he confessed that the sword had been sent him by Morgan le Fay, with the intent that he should kill King Arthur with it; and that when that was accomplished she would compass the death of her husband King Urience, so that Accolon and she might be king and queen. When he had made this confession, Accolon asked Arthur who he was.
“O Sir Accolon,” answered the king, “now know thou that I am King Arthur, to whom thou hast done great damage.”
When Accolon heard this, he cried out, “My gracious lord, have mercy on me, for I knew you not!”