Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу

           Tothisend,ashelaysickatVerulam,theysentandpoisonedstealthilyaspringofclearwater,whencehewaswonttodrinkdaily;andso,ontheverynextday,hewastakenwiththepainsofdeath,aswerealsoahundredothersafterhim,beforethevillainywasdiscovered,andheapsofearththrownoverthewell.

           Theknightsandbarons,fullofsorrow,nowtookcounseltogether,andcametoMerlinforhishelptolearntheking’swillbeforehedied,forhewasbythistimespeechless.“Sirs,thereisnoremedy,”saidMerlin,“andGod’swillmustbedone;butbeyeallto-morrowbeforehim,forGodwillmakehimspeakbeforehedie.”

           Soonthemorrowallthebarons,withMerlin,stoodroundthebedsideoftheking;andMerlinsaidaloudtoUther,“Lord,shallthysonArthurbethekingofallthisrealmafterthydays?”

           ThenUtherPendragonturnedhimabout,andsaid,inthehearingofthemall,“God’sblessingandminebeuponhim.Ibidhimprayformysoul,andalsothatheclaimmycrown,orforfeitallmyblessing;”andwiththosewordshedied.

           Thencametogetherallthebishopsandtheclergy,andgreatmultitudesofpeople,andbewailedtheking;andcarryinghisbodytotheconventofAmbrius,theyburieditclosebyhisbrother’sgrave,withinthe“Giants’Dance.”