Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter XII
Butthethreeknightswithstoodthem,andsettheirhandstotheirswords,andbeatthemdownandslewthem.
Atthatcameforthacompanyofthreescoreknights,allarmed.“Fairlords,”saidSirGalahad,“havemercyonyourselvesandkeepfromus.”
“Nay,fairlords,”theyanswered,“ratherbeadvisedbyus,andyieldyetoourcustom.”
“Itisanidleword,”saidGalahad,“invainyespeakit.”
“Well,”saidthey,“willyedie?”
“Webenotcometheretoasyet,”repliedSirGalahad.
Thendidtheyfalluponeachother,andSirGalahaddrewforthhissword,andsmoteontherighthandandontheleft,andslewsomightilythatallwhosawhimthoughthewasamonsterandnoearthlyman.Andbothhiscomradeshelpedhimwell,andsotheyheldthefieldagainstthatmultitudetillitwasnight.Thencameagoodknightforwardfromtheenemyandsaid,“Fairknights,abidewithusto-nightandberightwelcome;bythefaithofourbodiesaswearetrueknights,to-morrowyeshallriseunharmed,andmeanwhilemaybeyewill,ofyourownaccord,acceptthecustomofthecastlewhenyeknowitbetter.”
Sotheyenteredandalightedandmadegreatcheer.Anon,theyaskedthemwhencethatcustomcame.“Theladyofthiscastleisaleper,”saidthey,“andcanbenowaycuredsavebythebloodofapurevirginandaking’sdaughter;thereforetosaveherlifeareweherservantsboundtostayeverymaidthatpassethby,andtryifherbloodmaynotcureourmistress.”
Thensaidthedamsel,“Takeyeofmybloodasmuchasyewill,ifitmayavailyourlady.
