Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter I
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“Iknowalordofthineinthisland,”saidMerlin,“whoisamanbothtrueandfaithful;lethimhavethenourishingofthechild.HisnameisSirEctor,andhehathfairpossessionsbothinEnglandandinWales.When,therefore,thechildisborn,lethimbedelivereduntome,unchristened,atyonderpostern-gate,andIwillbestowhiminthecareofthisgoodknight.”
Sowhenthechildwasborn,thekingbidtwoknightsandtwoladiestotakeit,boundinrichclothofgold,anddeliverittoapoormanwhomtheyshoulddiscoveratthepostern-gate.AndthechildbeingdeliveredthustoMerlin,whohimselftooktheguiseofapoorman,wascarriedbyhimtoaholypriestandchristenedbythenameofArthur,andthenwastakentoSirEctor’shouse,andnourishedatSirEctor’swife’sownbreasts.Andinthesamehouseheremainedprivilyformanyyears,nomansoeverknowingwherehewas,saveMerlinandtheking.
Anonitbefellthatthekingwasseizedbyalingeringdistemper,andtheSaxonheathens,takingtheiroccasion,camebackfromoversea,andswarmedupontheland,wastingitwithfireandsword.WhenUtherheardthereof,hefellintoagreaterragethanhisweaknesscouldbear,andcommandedallhisnoblestocomebeforehim,thathemightupbraidthemfortheircowardice.Andwhenhehadsharplyandhotlyrebukedthem,hesworethathehimself,nighuntodeathalthoughhelay,wouldleadthemforthagainsttheenemy.Thencausingahorse-littertobemade,inwhichhemightbecarried—forhewastoofaintandweaktoride—hewentupwithallhisarmyswiftlyagainsttheSaxons.
