Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter I
Filledwithmixedrageandfear,thekingcalledfortheastrologersandwizards,andtookcounselwiththemwhatthesethingsmightbe,andhowtoovercomethem.Thewizardsworkedtheirspellsandincantations,andintheenddeclaredthatnothingbutthebloodofayouthbornwithoutmortalfather,smearedonthefoundationsofthecastle,couldavailtomakeitstand.Messengerswerethereforesentforthwiththroughallthelandtofind,ifitwerepossible,suchachild.And,assomeofthemwentdownacertainvillagestreet,theysawabandofladsfightingandquarrelling,andheardthemshoutatone—“Avaunt,thouimp!—avaunt!Sonofnomortalman!go,findthyfather,andleaveusinpeace.”
Atthatthemessengerslookedsteadfastlyonthelad,andaskedwhohewas.OnesaidhisnamewasMerlin;another,thathisbirthandparentagewereknownbynoman;athird,thatthefoulfiendalonewashisfather.Hearingthethings,theofficersseizedMerlin,andcarriedhimbeforethekingbyforce.
Butnosoonerwashebroughttohimthanheaskedinaloudvoice,forwhatcausehewasthusdraggedthere?
“Mymagicians,”answeredVortigern,“toldmetoseekoutamanthathadnohumanfather,andtosprinklemycastlewithhisblood,thatitmaystand.”
“Orderthosemagicians,”saidMerlin,“tocomebeforeme,andIwillconvictthemofalie.
