'Morgen' by Stuart Littlejohn

Morgan was King Arthur's half-sister and in some versions of the story she is said to be the mistress of Sir Accolon of Gaul.

Throughout all the British myths that tell of Arthur's incredible reign, Morgan Le Fay is depicted as the King's implacable enemy, often plotting his downfall. According to one story she is supposed to have stolen Excalibur and sent it to Accolon, who then challenged Arthur to single combat. When Accalon dropped the sword Arthur recognized it and the other knight admitted his guilt and surrendered.

However, after the bloody battle against Arthur's rebellious nephew (Sir Mordred), Morgan Le Fay was one of three women who took the grievously wounded king in a black boat to Avalon. The other two were "The Queen of Northgales and the Queen of Wastelands".

By Madison Cawein (1865-1914)

In dim samite was she bedight,
And on her hair a hoop of gold,
Like foxfire, in the tawn moonlight,
Was glimmering cold.

With soft gray eyes she gloomed and glowered;
With soft red lips she sang a song:
What knight might gaze upon her face,
Nor fare along?

For all her looks were full of spells,
And all her words, of sorcery;
And in some way they seemed to say,
"Oh, come with me!

"Oh, come with me! oh, come with me!
Oh, come with me, my love, Sir Kay!"--
How should he know the witch, I trow,
Morgan le Fay?

How should he know the wily witch,
With sweet white face and raven hair?
Who, through her art, bewitched his heart
And held him there.

Eftsoons his soul had waxed amort
To wold and weald, to slade and stream;
And all he heard was her soft word
As one adream.

And all he saw was her bright eyes,
And her fair face that held him still:
And wild and wan she led him on
O'er vale and hill.

Until at last a castle lay
Beneath the moon, among the trees:
Its gothic towers old and gray
With mysteries.

Tall in its hall a hundred knights
In armor stood with glaive in hand:
The following of some great king,
Lord of that land.

Sir Bors, Sir Balin, and Gawain,
All Arthur's knights, and many mo;
But these in battle had been slain
Long years ago.

But when Morgan lifted hand
Moved down the hall, they louted low:
For she was Queen of Shadowland,
That woman of snow.

Then from Sir Kay she drew away,
And cried on high all mockingly:--
"Behold, sir knights, the knave I bring,
Who lay with me.

"Behold! I met him 'mid the furze:
Beside him there he made me lie:
Upon him, yea, there rests my curse:
Now let him die!"

Then as one man those shadows raised
Their brands, whereon the moon glanced gray:
And clashing all strode from the wall
Against Sir Kay.

And on his body, bent and bowed,
The hundred bladed as one blade fell:
While over all rang long and loud
The mirth of Hell.

History of Morgan Le Fay

Morgan Le Fay's paradoxical nature is reflected in her dual role as both healer and dark magician, as Arthur's thorn in life, yet also his guardian in death. Although educated at a convent, she managed to emerge as a gifted magician.

The painting to the right is based on Arthurian legend. It shows Arthur about to take the sword Excalibur. The three queens, who are Arthur's friends, are nearby in his time of trial, while Merlin is at the oars of the boat carrying Arthur. In the background is Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, and on the left of the picture Morgan Le Fay, Arthur's half-sister, holds the sword that Arthur will take.

Morgan charmed the unsuspecting Tristram into accepting a beautiful gold shield decorated with a strange motif. The shield's design portrayed a knight, Lancelot, enslaving a royal couple. Arthur and his wife. Innocent of the shield's true motif or motive, Tristram rode to Arthur's court and jousted in the royal tournament. When he dueled with Arthur, the king's spear shattered on the enchanted shield. Such enchanted weapons could help or hinder the best of heroes.

Arthur rests in peace in Avalon, guarded by four fairy queens. Morgan Le Fay, cowled in black, consults her book of magic crafts, to heal the wounds of the "undead" king. The winged apparition carrying the Grail symbolizes the hope and future promise of Arthur's reign.