Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter XII
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Soallreturnedfromtheriver,andeveryknightsatdowninhisownplace,andthehighfeastandbanquetthenwassumptuouslybegun,andallthehallwasfulloflaughterandloudtalkandjests,andrunningtoandfroofsquireswhoservedtheirknights,andnoiseofjollityandmirth.
Thensuddenlybefellawondrousthing,forallthedoorsandwindowsofthehallshutviolentlyofthemselves,andmadethickdarkness;andpresentlytherecameafairandgentlelightfromoutthePerilousSeat,andfilledthepalacewithitsbeams.Thenadeadsilencefellonalltheknights,andeachmananxiouslybeheldhisneighbour.
ButKingArthurroseandsaid,“Lordsandfairknights,haveyenofear,butrejoice;wehaveseenstrangethingsto-day,butstrangeryetremain.FornowIknowweshallto-dayseehimwhomaysitintheSiegePerilous,andshallachievetheSangreal.Forasyeallwellknow,thatholyvessel,wherefromattheSupperofourLordbeforeHisdeathHedrankthewinewithHisdisciples,hathbeenheldeversincetheholiesttreasureoftheworld,andwheresoeverithathrestedpeaceandprosperityhaverestedwithitontheland.ButsincethedolorousstrokewhichBalingaveKingPellesnonehaveseenit,forHeaven,wrothwiththatpresumptuousblow,hathhiditnoneknowwhere.Yetsomewhereintheworlditstillmaybe,andmaybeitislefttous,andtothisnobleorderoftheTableRound,tofindandbringithome,andmakeofthisourrealmthehappiestintheearth.
