Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола

           AndthedamselrodeonbeforeSirBeaumains,andsaidtohim,“Whydostthoufollowme,thoukitchenboy?Icounseltheetothrowasidethyspearandshield,andfleebetimes,forwertthouasmightyasSirLancelotorSirTristram,thoushouldestnotpassavalleynearthisplace,calledthePassPerilous.”“Damsel,”answeredhe,“lethimthatfearethflee;asforme,itwereindeedashamefulthingtoturnaftersolongajourney.”Ashespake,theycameuponatoweraswhiteassnow,withmightybattlements,anddoublemoatsroundit,andoverthetower-gatehungfiftyshieldsofdiverscolours.Beforethetowerwalls,theysawafairmeadow,whereinweremanyknightsandsquiresinpavilions,foronthemorrowtherewasatournamentatthatcastle.

           Thenthelordofthecastle,seeingaknightarmedatallpoints,withadamselandapage,ridingtowardsthetower,cameforthtomeetthem;andhishorseandharness,withhisshieldandspear,wereallofaredcolour.WhenhecamenearSirBeaumains,andsawhisarmourallofblack,hethoughthimhisownbrother,theBlackKnight,andsocriedaloud,“Brother!whatdoyehere,withintheseborders?”“Nay!”saidthedamsel,“itisnotthybrother,butakitchenknaveofArthur’scourt,whohathslainthybrother,andovercomethyotherbrotheralso,theGreenKnight.”“NowdoIdefythee!”criedtheRedKnighttoSirBeaumains,andputhisspearinrestandspurredhishorse.Thenbothknightsturnedbackalittlespace,andrantogetherwithalltheirmight,tilltheirhorsesfelltotheearth.