Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter I
Tothisend,ashelaysickatVerulam,theysentandpoisonedstealthilyaspringofclearwater,whencehewaswonttodrinkdaily;andso,ontheverynextday,hewastakenwiththepainsofdeath,aswerealsoahundredothersafterhim,beforethevillainywasdiscovered,andheapsofearththrownoverthewell.
Theknightsandbarons,fullofsorrow,nowtookcounseltogether,andcametoMerlinforhishelptolearntheking’swillbeforehedied,forhewasbythistimespeechless.“Sirs,thereisnoremedy,”saidMerlin,“andGod’swillmustbedone;butbeyeallto-morrowbeforehim,forGodwillmakehimspeakbeforehedie.”
Soonthemorrowallthebarons,withMerlin,stoodroundthebedsideoftheking;andMerlinsaidaloudtoUther,“Lord,shallthysonArthurbethekingofallthisrealmafterthydays?”
ThenUtherPendragonturnedhimabout,andsaid,inthehearingofthemall,“God’sblessingandminebeuponhim.Ibidhimprayformysoul,andalsothatheclaimmycrown,orforfeitallmyblessing;”andwiththosewordshedied.
Thencametogetherallthebishopsandtheclergy,andgreatmultitudesofpeople,andbewailedtheking;andcarryinghisbodytotheconventofAmbrius,theyburieditclosebyhisbrother’sgrave,withinthe“Giants’Dance.”