Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола

           Bythistimeeventidehadcome,whensuddenlyahundredtorchesweresetuponallsidesofthebarge,andgaveadazzlinglight,andatthesametimecameforthtwelvefairdamsels,andsalutedKingArthurbyhisname,kneelingontheirknees,andtellinghimthathewaswelcome,andshouldhavetheirnoblestcheer,forwhichthekingthankedthemcourteously.Thendidtheyleadhimandhisfellowstoasplendidchamber,wherewasatablespreadwithalltherichestfurniture,andcostliestwinesandviands;andtheretheyservedthemwithallkindsofwinesandmeats,tillArthurwonderedatthesplendourofthefeast,declaringhehadneverinhislifesuppedbetter,ormoreroyally.Aftersuppertheyledhimtoanotherchamber,thanwhichhehadneverbeheldaricher,wherehewaslefttorest.KingUrience,also,andSirAccolonwereeachconductedintoroomsoflikemagnificence.Andsotheyallthreefellasleep,andbeingverywearysleptdeeplyallthatnight.

           Butwhenthemorningbroke,KingUriencefoundhimselfinhisownhouseinCamelot,heknewnothow;andArthurawakingfoundhimselfinadarkdungeon,andheardaroundhimnothingbutthegroansofwofulknights,prisonerslikehimself.ThensaidKingArthur,“Whoareye,thusgroaningandcomplaining?”Andsomeoneansweredhim,“Alas,webeallprisoners,eventwentygoodknights,andsomeofushavelainheresevenyears—somemore—norseenthelightofdayforallthattime.”“Forwhatcause?”saidKingArthur.“Knowyenotthenyourself?”theyanswered—“wewillsoontellyou.