Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter IX
Andwhentheyhadriddenawhile,theknightcriedoutsuddenlytoSirLancelottoturnandseewhatmentheywerewhocameridingafterthem;andwhileSirLancelot,thinkingnotoftreason,turnedtolook,theknight,withonegreatstroke,smoteoffthelady’shead.
ThenwasSirLancelotpassingwroth,andcried,“Thoutraitor!Thouhastshamedmeforever!”and,alightingfromhishorse,hedrewhisswordtohaveslainhiminstantly;buttheknightfellonthegroundandclaspedSirLancelot’sknees,andcriedoutformercy.“Thoushamefulknight,”answeredLancelot,“thoumayesthavenomercy,forthoushowedstnone,thereforeariseandfightwithme.”
“Nay,”saidtheknight,“Iwillnotrisetillthoudostgrantmemercy.”
“NowwillIdealfairlybythee,”saidSirLancelot;“Iwillunarmmetomyshirt,andhavemyswordonlyinmyhand,andifthoucanstslaymethoushallbequitforever.”
“ThatwillIneverdo,”saidtheknight.
“Then,”answeredSirLancelot,“takethisladyandthehead,andbearitwiththee,andsweartomeuponthyswordnevertorestuntilthoucomesttoQueenGuinevere.”
“ThatwillIdo,”saidhe.
“Now,”saidSirLancelot,“tellmethyname.”
“ItisPedivere,”answeredtheknight.
“Inashamefulhourwertthouborn,”saidSirLancelot.
SoSirPediveredeparted,bearingwithhimthedeadladyandherhead.AndwhenhecametoWinchester,wheretheQueenwaswithKingArthur,hetoldthemallthetruth;andafterwardsdidgreatandheavypenancemanyyears,andbecameanholyhermit
