Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter II
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WhenSirEctorsawthesword,heturnedbackstraightwithArthurandSirKeyandcametothechurchyard,andtherealighting,theywentallthreeintothechurch,andSirKeywassworntotelltrulyhowhecamebythesword.ThenheconfesseditwashisbrotherArthurwhohadbroughtittohim.
WhereatSirEctor,turningtoyoungArthur,askedhim—“Howgottestthouthesword?”
“Sir,”saidhe,“Iwilltellyou.WhenIwenthometofetchmybrother’ssword,Ifoundnobodytodeliverittome,forallwereabroadtothejousts.YetwasIloathtoleavemybrotherswordless,and,bethinkingmeofthisone,Icamehithereagerlytofetchitforhim,andpulleditoutofthestonewithoutanypain.”
ThensaidSirEctor,muchamazedandlookingsteadfastlyonArthur,“Ifthisindeedbethus,’tisthouwhoshaltbekingofallthisland—andGodwillhaveitso—fornonebuthewhoshouldberightfulLordofBritainmighteverdrawthisswordforthfromthatstone.Butletmenowwithmineowneyesseetheeputbacktheswordintoitsplaceanddrawitforthagain.”
“Thatisnomystery,”saidArthur;andstraightwaysetitinthestone.AndthenSirEctorpulledatithimself,andafterhimSirKey,withallhismight,butbothoftheminvain:thenArthurreachingforthhishandandgraspingatthepommel,pulleditouteasily,andatonce.
ThenfellSirEctordownuponhiskneesuponthegroundbeforeyoungArthur,andSirKeyalsowithhim,andstraightwaydidhimhomageastheirsovereignlord.
