Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter X
ButtheBlackKnight’sspearbrakeshort,andSirBeaumainsthrusthimthroughtheside,andhisspearbreakingatthehead,leftitspointstickingfastintheBlackKnight’sbody.YetdidtheBlackKnightdrawhissword,andsmiteatSirBeaumainswithmanyfierceandbitterblows;butaftertheyhadfoughtanhourandmore,hefelldownfromhishorseinaswoon,andforthwithdied.ThenSirBeaumainslighteddownandarmedhimselfintheBlackKnight’sarmour,androdeonafterthedamsel.Butnotwithstandingallhisvalour,stillshescoffedathim,andsaid,“Away!forthousavouresteverofthekitchen.Alas!thatsuchaknaveshouldbymishapdestroysogoodaknight;yetonceagainIcounseltheetoflee,forhardbyisaknightwhoshallrepaythee!”“ItmaychancethatIambeatenorslain,”answeredSirBeaumains,“butIwarnthee,fairdamsel,thatIwillnotfleeaway,norleavethycompanyormyquest,forallthatyecansay.”
Anon,astheyrode,theysawaknightcomeswiftlytowardsthem,dressedallingreen,who,callingtothedamselsaid,“Isthatmybrother,theBlackKnight,thatyehavebroughtwithyou?”“Nay,andalas!”saidshe,“thiskitchenknavehathslainthybrotherthroughmischance.”“Alas!”saidtheGreenKnight,“thatsuchanobleknightashewasshouldbeslainbyaknave’shand.Traitor!”criedhetoSirBeaumains,“thoushaltdieforthis!SirPereardwasmybrother,andafullnobleknight.”“Idefythee,”saidSirBeaumains,“forIslewhimknightlyandnotshamefully.