And then Sir Bedivere hid Excalibur under a tree, and as soon as he might he came again unto King Arthur, and said he had been at the water, and had thrown the sword into the water.
"What sawest thou there?" said the king.
"Sir," said he, "I saw nothing but waves and wind."
"That is untruly said of thee," said King Arthur, "therefore go thou lightly and do my command, as thou art to me lief [beloved] and dear; spare not, but throw it in."
Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword in his hand; and then him thought it sin and shame to throw away that noble sword. And so he hid the sword, and returned again and told to the king that he had been at the water and done his command.
"What saw ye there?" said the king.
"Sir," said he, "I saw nothing but the water wap and waves wane."[21]
"Ah, traitor untrue!" said King Arthur, "now hast thou betrayed me two times. Who would have wend that thou that hast been unto me so self [loved like myself] and dear, and thou art named a noble knight, and wouldest betray me for the rich sword? But now go again lightly, for thy long tarrying putteth me in great jeopardy of my life, for I have taken cold; and but if thou do as I command thee, and if ever I may see thee, I shall slay thee with my own hands, for thou wouldst for my rich sword see me dead."
Then Sir Bedivere departed, and went to the sword, and lightly took it up, and went to the water's side; and there he bound the girdle about the hilts, and then he threw the sword into the water as far as he might; and there came an arm and an hand above the water, and met it and caught it, and so shook it thrice and brandished.
And then the hand vanished away with the sword in the water. So Sir Bedivere came again to the king, and told him what he had seen.