MORTE D'ARTHUR, inCirt (110111.1r' (01'., the death of Arthur). The name applied, in slightly varying forms, to several versions of the Arthurian legend and cognate stories. (See Arrrnua.) There are two English metrical ro mances of the name, each existing in a single manuscript. and probably based on French orig inals. that in more than one way the most im portant work bearing this name is the celebrated reduction or blending by Sir Thomas Malory of French and English romances. It was completed in 1469 and first printed, by Caxton. in 14n'3. Of this edition but two copies exist, the only perfect one in New York: a scholarly reprint of it, with valuable editorial matter, was made by Sommer (London, 1 8'0). Probably very popular for a time. this 'made and joyous book; as Caxton calls it. fell later into disrepute with an age 4)111. of with its spirit, and was scornfully condemned by ASChaill in a well-known passage of The SehrgdniaNter. Rut the nineteenth century recognized fully its extraordinary merits.
"There was," say. Saintsbury, "at Aseham's date, no more exquisite example of English prose in •.xistence. There is not to this day a book, either in prose or in verse, which ha: more of the true romantie charm." Apart from skillful combinatima of diverse elements to make a story. in which Ilalory shows little short of podia,. his style, in its stalely ha rnmny and graceful pic turesqueness, is most remarkable for its period. Indeed, he may be called the first English writer IN lin show: a sense if the rhythmical flow and grm•ions mush. of Ivhich the language is so richly capable. The book probably did more any other inductive to amtionalive the Arthurian le gend: and the poets. from Spenser to Tennyson tin the /dting of the hinqt. have drawn dint ly on its treasure:. The best 'di. lions. besides that mentioned above. are by nhys London. I su I t ; Wright M., I 8.11; 1 ; 8.1 i ;h., 1 : and 1 ;ollancv,"Temple Classics" fib., I not)).