Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter X
Now,therefore,Iprayyourebukemenomoretillyouseemebeatenorarecreant,andthenbidmegofromyou.”“Thereshallsoonmeettheeaknightwhoshallrepaytheeallthydeeds,thouboaster,”answeredshe,“for,saveKingArthur,heisthemanofmostworshipintheworld.”“Itwillbethegreaterhonourtoencounterhim,”saidSirBeaumains.
Soonafter,theysawbeforethemacitypassingfair,andbetweenthemandthecitywasameadownewlymown,whereinweremanygoodlytents.“Seestthouyonderbluepavilion?”saidthedamseltoSirBeaumains;“itisSirPerseant’s,thelordofthatgreatcity,whosecustomis,inallfairweather,tolieinthismeadow,andjoustwithhisknights.”
Andasshespake,SirPerseant,whohadespiedthemcoming,sentamessengertomeetSirBeaumains,andtoaskhimifhecameinwarorpeace.“Saytothylord,”heanswered,“thatIcarenotwhetherofthetwainitbe.”Sowhenthemessengergavethisreply,SirPerseantcameouttofightwithSirBeaumains.Andmakingready,theyrodetheirsteedsagainsteachother;andwhentheirspearswereshiveredasunder,theyfoughtwiththeirswords.Andformorethantwohoursdidtheyhackandhewateachother,tilltheirshieldsandhauberkswerealldintedwithmanyblows,andtheythemselvesweresorelywounded.Andatthelast,SirBeaumainssmoteSirPerseantonthehelm,sothathefellgrovellingontheearth.Andwhenheunlacedhishelmtoslayhim,thedamselprayedforhislife.“ThatwillIgrantgladly,”answeredSirBeaumains,“foritwerepitysuchanobleknightshoulddie.
