Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола

           Thensaidthedamsel,“Seeyouthativoryhornhanginguponthesycamore-tree?TheKnightoftheRedlandshathhungitthere,thatanyknightmayblowthereon,andthenwillhehimselfcomeoutandfightwithhim.ButIpraytheesounditnottillhighnoontide,fornowitisbutdaybreak,andtillnoonhisstrengthincreasestothemightofsevenmen.”“Letthatbeasitmay,fairdamsel,”answeredhe,“forwerehestrongerknightthaneverlived,Iwouldnotfailhim.EitherwillIdefeathimathismightiest,ordieknightlyinthefield.”Withthathespurredhishorseuntothesycamore,andblewtheivoryhornsoeagerly,thatallthecastlerangitsechoes.Instantly,alltheknightswhowereinthepavilionsranforth,andthosewithinthecastlelookedoutfromthewindows,orabovethewalls.AndtheKnightoftheRedlands,arminghimselfquicklyinblood-redarmour,withspear,andshield,andhorse’strappingsoflikecolour,rodeforthintoalittlevalleybythecastlewalls,sothatallinthecastle,andatthesiege,mightseethebattle.

           “Beofgoodcheer,”saidthedamselLinettoSirBeaumains,“forthydeadlyenemynowcometh;andatyonderwindowismyladyandsister,DameLyones.”“Ingoodsooth,”saidSirBeaumains,“sheisthefairestladyIhaveeverseen,andIwouldwishnobetterquarrelthantofightforher.”Withthat,helookeduptothewindow,andsawtheLadyLyones,whowavedherhandkerchieftohersisterandtohimtocheerthem.