Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter I
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AtthesewordsofMerlin,Aureliusburstintolaughter,andsaid,“Howisitpossibletoremovesuchvaststonesfromsogreatadistance,asifBritain,also,hadnostonesfitforthework?”
“Ipraytheking,”saidMerlin,“toforbearvainlaughter;whatIhavesaidistrue,forthosestonesaremysticalandhavehealingvirtues.ThegiantsofoldbroughtthemfromthefurthestcoastofAfrica,andplacedtheminIrelandwhiletheylivedinthatcountry:andtheirdesignwastomakebathsinthem,foruseintimeofgrievousillness.Foriftheywashedthestonesandputthesickintothewater,itcertainlyhealedthem,asalsoitdidthemthatwerewoundedinbattle;andthereisnostoneamongthembuthaththesamevirtuestill.”
WhentheBritonsheardthis,theyresolvedtosendforthestones,andtomakewaruponthepeopleofIrelandiftheyofferedtowithholdthem.So,whentheyhadchosenUthertheking’sbrotherfortheirchief,theysetsail,tothenumberof15,000men,andcametoIreland.ThereGillomanius,theking,withstoodthemfiercely,andnottillafteragreatbattlecouldtheyapproachtheGiants’Dance,thesightofwhichfilledthemwithjoyandadmiration.Butwhentheysoughttomovethestones,thestrengthofallthearmywasinvain,untilMerlin,laughingattheirfailures,contrivedmachinesofwondrouscunning,whichtookthemdownwithease,andplacedthemintheships.
