Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter V
”
“Yesaytruth,”saidthetwoknights,andputhiminahorse-litter,andwentswiftlythroughallthenight,tillatcock-crowtheycametoKingArthur’spalace.Theretheydeliveredhimtothewardersandporters,tobebroughtbeforetheking,withthismessage—“ThathewassenttoKingArthurbytheknightofthetwoswords(forsowasBalinknownbyname,sincehisadventurewiththedamsel)andbyhisbrother.”Andsotheyrodeawayagaineresunrise.
Withinamonthortwothereafter,KingArthurbeingsomewhatsick,wentforthoutsidethetown,andhadhispavilionpitchedinameadow,andthereabode,andlaidhimdownonapallettosleep,butcouldgetnorest.Andashelayheheardthesoundofagreathorse,andlookingoutofthetentdoor,sawaknightrideby,makinggreatlamentation.
“Abide,fairsir,”saidKingArthur,“andtellmewhereforethoumakestthissorrow.”
“Yemaylittleamendit,”saidtheknight,andsopassedon.
PresentlyafterSirBalin,rode,bychance,pastthatmeadow,andwhenhesawthekinghealightedandcametohimonfoot,andkneeledandsalutedhim.
“Bymyhead,”saidKingArthur,“yebewelcome,SirBalin;”andthenhethankedhimheartilyforrevenginghimuponKingRyence,andforsendinghimsospeedilyaprisonertohiscastle,andtoldhimhowKingNero,Ryence’sbrother,hadattackedhimafterwardstodeliverRyencefromprison;andhowhehaddefeatedhimandslainhim,andalsoKingLot,ofOrkneywhowasjoinedwithNero,andwhomKingPellinorehadkilledinthebattle.
