Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter II
ButArthurcriedaloud,“Alas!mineowndearfatherandmybrother,whykneelyethustome?”
“Nay,myLordArthur,”answeredthenSirEctor,“weareofnoblood-kinshipwiththee,andlittlethoughIthoughthowhighthykinmightbe,yetwastthounevermorethanfoster-childofmine.”Andthenhetoldhimallheknewabouthisinfancy,andhowastrangerhaddeliveredhim,withagreatsumofgold,intohishandstobebroughtupandnourishedashisownbornchild,andthenhaddisappeared.
ButwhenyoungArthurheardofit,hefelluponSirEctor’sneck,andwept,andmadegreatlamentation,“Fornow,”saidhe,“Ihaveinonedaylostmyfatherandmymotherandmybrother.”
“Sir,”saidSirEctorpresently,“whenthoushaltbemadekingbegoodandgraciousuntomeandmine.”
“Ifnot,”saidArthur,“Iwerenotrueman’ssonatall,forthouartheinalltheworldtowhomIowethemost;andmygoodladyandmother,thywife,hatheverkeptandfosteredmeasthoughIwereherown;soifitbeGod’swillthatIbekinghereafterasthousayest,desireofmewhateverthingthouwiltandIwilldoit;andGodforbidthatIshouldfailtheeinit.”
“Iwillbutpray,”repliedSirEctor,“thatthouwiltmakemysonSirKey,thyfoster-brother,seneschalofallthelands.”
“Thatshallhebe,”saidArthur;“andnevershallanotherholdthatoffice,savethyson,whileheandIdolive.”
Anon,theyleftthechurchandwenttothearchbishoptotellhimthattheswordhadbeenachieved.
