Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола

           AndArthurandSirAccolonwerenowgrownhotagainsteachother,andsparednotstrengthnorfuryintheirfierceassaults;buttheking’sswordgavewaycontinuallybeforeSirAccolon’s,sothatateverystrokehewassorewounded,andhisbloodranfromhimsofastthatitwasamarvelhecouldstand.WhenKingArthursawthegroundsosorebe-blooded,hebethoughthimindismaythattherewasmagictreasonworkeduponhim,andthathisowntrueswordwaschanged,foritseemedtohimthattheswordinSirAccolon’shandwasExcalibur,forfearfullyitdrewhisbloodateveryblow,whilewhatheheldhimselfkeptnosharpedge,norfellwithanyforceuponhisfoe.

           “Now,knight,looktothyself,andkeeptheewellfromme,”criedoutSirAccolon.ButKingArthuranswerednot,andgavehimsuchabuffetonthehelmasmadehimstaggerandnighfallupontheground.ThenSirAccolonwithdrewalittle,andcameonwithExcaliburonhigh,andsmoteKingArthurinreturnwithsuchamightystrokeasalmostfelledhim;andbothbeingnowinhottestwrath,theygaveeachothergrievousandsavageblows.ButArthurallthetimewaslosingsomuchbloodthatscarcelycouldhekeepuponhisfeetyetsofullwasheofknighthood,thatknightlyheenduredthepain,andstillsustainedhimself,thoughnowhewassofeeblethathethoughthimselfabouttodie.SirAccolon,asyet,hadlostnodropofblood,andbeingveryboldandconfidentinExcalibur,evengrewmorevigorousandhastyinhisassaults.