Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter II
“Theladyofthelake,”saidMerlin;“foruponthislakethereisarock,andontherockanoblepalace,wheresheabideth,andshewillcometowardstheepresently,thoushaltaskhercourteouslyforthesword.”
TherewiththedamselcametoKingArthur,andsalutedhim,andhesalutedher,andsaid,“Lady,whatswordisthatthearmholdethabovethewater?Iwouldthatitweremine,forIhavenosword.”
“SirKing,”saidtheladyofthelake,“thatswordismine,andifthouwiltgivemeinreturnagiftwheneverIshallaskitofthee,thoushalthaveit.”
“Bymyfaith,”saidhe,“Iwillgivetheeanygiftthatthoushaltask.”
“Well,”saidthedamsel,“gointoyonderbarge,androwthyselfuntothesword,andtakeitandthescabbardwiththee,andIwillaskmygiftoftheewhenIseemytime.”
SoKingArthurandMerlinalighted,andtiedtheirhorsestotwotrees,andwentintothebarge;andwhentheycametotheswordthatthehandheld,KingArthurtookitbythehandleandboreitwithhim,andthearmandhandwentdownunderthewater;andsotheycamebacktoland,androdeagaintoCaerleon.
OnthemorrowMerlinbadeKingArthurtosetfiercelyontheenemy;andinthemeanwhilethreehundredgoodknightswentovertoKingArthurfromtherebels’side.
