Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter IX
Thenhewalkedonwardtothecastlehall,andsawabandofsixtyladiesandyoungdamselscomingforth,whoknelttohim,andthankedhimfortheirfreedom.“For,sir,”saidthey,“themostofushavebeenprisonersherethesesevenyears;andhavebeenkeptatallmannerofworktoearnourmeat,thoughwebeallgreatgentlewomenborn.Blessedbethetimethatthouwastborn,forneverdidaknightadeedofgreaterworshipthanthouhastthisday,andtheretowillweallbearwitnessinalltimesandplaces!Tellus,therefore,nobleknight,thynameandcourt,thatwemaytellthemtoourfriends!”Andwhentheyheardit,theyallcriedaloud,“Wellmayitbeso,forweknewthatnoknightsavethoushouldsteverovercomethosegiants;andmanyalongdayhavewesighedforthee;forthegiantsfearednoothernameamongallknightsbutthine.”
Thenhetoldthemtotakethetreasuresofthecastleasarewardfortheirgrievances,andtoreturntotheirhomes,andsorodeawayintomanystrangeandwildcountries.Andatlast,aftermanydays,bychancehecame,nearthenighttime,toafairmansion,whereinhefoundanoldgentlewoman,whogavehimandhishorsegoodcheer.Andwhenbedtimewascome,hishostbroughthimtoachamberoveragate,andthereheunarmed,andwenttobedandfellasleep.
