here beginneth the story of certain adventures of arthur after that he had become king, wherein it is told how, with great knightly courage and prowess, he fought a very fierce and bloodly battle with a certain sable knight. likewise, it is told how he achieved, in consequence of that battle, a certain sword so famous and glorious that its renown shall last as long as our speech shall be spoken. for the like of that sword was never seen in all the world before that time, and it hath never been beheld since then; and its name was excalibur.

so, if it please you to read this story, i believe it will afford you excellent entertainment, and will, without doubt, greatly exalt your spirit because of the remarkable courage which those two famous and worthy knights displayed when they fought together that famous battle. likewise you shall find great cheer in reading therein of the wonderful marvellousness of a certain land of faerie into which king arthur wandered, and where he found a lake of enchantment and held converse with a mild and beautiful lady of that land who directed him how to obtain that renowned sword aforementioned.

for it hath given me such pleasure to write these things that my heart would, at times, be diluted as with a pure joy, wherefore, i entertain great hopes that you also may find much pleasure in them as i have already done. so i pray you to listen unto what follows.