Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter IX
Thenfortwodaysherodeinagreatforest,andhadbutscantyfoodandlodging,andonthethirddayherodeoveralongbridge,whensuddenlytherestartedupapassingfoulchurl,andsmotehishorseacrossthenose,sothathestartedandturnedback,rearingwithpain.“Whyridestthouoverherewithoutmyleave?”saidhe.
“WhyshouldInot?”saidSirLancelot;“thereisnootherwaytoride.”
“Thoushaltnotpassbyhere,”criedoutthechurl,anddashedathimwithagreatclubfullofironspikes,tillSirLancelotwasfaintodrawhisswordandsmitehimdeadupontheearth.
Attheendofthebridgewasafairvillage,andallthepeoplecameandcried,“Ah,sir!aworsedeedforthyselfthouneverdidst,forthouhastslainthechiefporterofthecastleyonder!”Butheletthemtalkastheypleased,androdestraightforwardtothecastle.
Therehealighted,andtiedhishorsetoaringinthewall;andgoingin,hesawawidegreencourt,andthoughtitseemedanobleplacetofightin.Andashelookedabout,hesawmanypeoplewatchinghimfromdoorsandwindows,makingsignsofwarning,andsaying,“Fairknight,thouartunhappy.”Inthenextmomentcameuponhimtwogreatgiants,wellarmedsavetheirheads,andwithtwohorribleclubsintheirhands.Thenheputhisshieldbeforehim,andwithitwardedoffonegiant’sstroke,andclovetheotherwithhisswordfromtheheaddownwardtothechest.Whenthefirstgiantsawthat,heranawaymadwithfear;butSirLancelotranafterhim,andsmotehimthroughtheshoulder,andshorehimdownhisback,sothathefelldead.
