Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter VII
Thisswordhathbeeninmykeepingnowforalmosttwelvemonths,andyesterdayQueenMorganleFay,wifeofKingUrience,sentittomebyadwarf,thattherewithImightinsomewayslayherbrother,KingArthur;forthoumustunderstandthatKingArthuristhemanshehatethmostinalltheworld,beingfullofenvyandjealousybecauseheisofgreaterworshipandrenownthananyotherofherblood.Shelovethmealsoasmuchasshedothhatehim;andifshemightcontrivetoslayKingArthurbyhercraftandmagic,thenwouldshestraightwaykillherhusbandalso,andmakemethekingofallthisland,andherselfmyqueen,toreignwithme;butnow,”saidhe,“allthatisover,forthisdayIamcometomydeath.”
“Itwouldhavebeensoretreasonoftheetodestroythylord,”saidArthur.“Thousayesttruly,”answeredhe;“butnowthatIhavetoldthee,andopenlyconfessedtotheeallthatfoultreasonwhereofInowdobitterlyrepent,tellme,Ipraythee,whenceartthou,andofwhatcourt?”“O,SirAccolon!”saidKingArthur,“learnthatIammyselfKingArthur.”WhenSirAccolonheardthishecriedaloud,“Alas,mygraciouslord!havemercyonme,forIknewtheenot.”“Thoushalthavemercy,”saidhe,“forthouknewestnotmypersonatthistime;andthoughbythineownconfessionthouartatraitor,yetdoIblametheeless,becausethouhastbeenblindedbythefalsecraftsofmysisterMorganleFay,whomIhavetrustedmorethanallothersofmykin,andwhomInowshallknowwellhowtopunish.
