Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола

           Paul’sChurch,andthearchbishopbesoughtHeavenforasignwhoshouldbelawfulkingofalltherealm.

           Andastheyprayed,therewasseeninthechurchyard,setstraightbeforethedoorwaysofthechurch,ahugesquarestonehavinganakedswordstuckinthemidstofit.Andontheswordwaswritteninlettersofgold,“WhosopullethouttheswordfromthisstoneisborntherightfulKingofBritain.”

           Atthisallthepeoplewonderedgreatly;and,whenMasswasover,thenobles,knights,andprincesranouteagerlyfromthechurchtoseethestoneandsword;andalawwasforthwithmadethatwhososhouldpullouttheswordshouldbeacknowledgedstraightwayKingofBritain.

           Thenmanyknightsandbaronspulledattheswordwithalltheirmight,andsomeofthemtriedmanytimes,butnonecouldstirormoveit.

           Whenallhadtriedinvain,thearchbishopdeclaredthemanwhomHeavenhadchosenwasnotyetthere.“ButGod,”saidhe,“willdoubtlessmakehimknowneremanydays.”

           Sotenknightswerechosen,beingmenofhighrenown,towatchandkeepthesword;andtherewasproclamationmadethroughallthelandthatwhosoeverwould,hadleaveandlibertytotryandpullitfromthestone.Butthoughgreatmultitudesofpeoplecame,bothgentleandsimple,formanydays,nomancouldevermovetheswordahair’sbreadthfromitsplace.

           Now,attheNewYear’sEveagreattournamentwastobeheldinLondon,whichthearchbishophaddevisedtokeeptogetherlordsandcommons,lesttheyshouldgrowestrangedinthetroublousandunsettledtimes.