Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола

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           AtthattheyboreSirGawainsorelywoundedtohistent,andKingArthurwithdrewhismen,forhewaslothtoshedthebloodofsomanyknightsofhisownfellowship.

           ButnowcametidingstoKingArthurfromacrossthesea,whichcausedhimtoreturninhaste.Forthusthenewsran,thatnosoonerwasSirModredsetupinhisregency,thanhehadforgedfalsetidingsfromabroadthatthekinghadfalleninabattlewithSirLancelot.Whereathehadproclaimedhimselftheking,andhadbeencrownedatCanterbury,wherehehadheldacoronationfeastforfifteendays.ThenhehadgonetoWinchester,whereQueenGuinevereabode,andhadcommandedhertobehiswife;whereto,forfearandsoreperplexity,shehadfeignedconsent,but,underpretextofpreparingforthemarriage,hadfledinhastetoLondonandtakenshelterintheTower,fortifyingitandprovidingitwithallmannerofvictuals,anddefendingitagainstSirModred,andansweringtoallhisthreatsthatshewouldratherslayherselfthanbehisqueen.

           ThuswasitwrittentoKingArthur.Then,inpassinggreatwrathandhaste,hecamewithallhisarmyswiftlybackfromFranceandsailedtoEngland.ButwhenSirModredheardthereof,helefttheTowerandmarchedwithallhishosttomeetthekingatDover.

           ThenfledQueenGuineveretoAmesburytoanunnery,andtheresheclothedherselfinsackcloth,andspenthertimeinprayingforthekingandingooddeedsandfasting.Andinthatnunneryevermoreshelived,sorelyrepentingandmourningforhersin,andfortheruinshehadbroughtonalltherealm.Andthereanonshedied.