Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter XI
ThenforsevenyearsKingMeliodasmournedandtooknocomfort,andallthattimeyoungTristramwaswellnourished;butinawhileheweddedwiththedaughterofHowell,KingofBrittany,who,thatherownchildrenmightenjoythekingdom,castaboutinhermindhowshemightdestroyTristram.Soonacertaindaysheputpoisoninasilvercup,whereTristramandherchildrenweretogetherplaying,thatwhenhewasathirsthemightdrinkofitanddie.Butsoithappenedthatherownsonsawthecup,and,thinkingitmustholdgooddrink,heclimbedandtookit,anddrankdeeplyofit,andsuddenlythereafterburstandfelldowndead.
Whenthequeenheardthat,hergriefwasverygreat,butherangerandenvywerefiercerthanbefore,andsoonagainsheputmorepoisoninthecup.Andbychanceonedayherhusbandfindingitwhenthirsty,tookitupandwasabouttodrinktherefrom,when,seeinghim,shesprangupwithamightycryanddasheditfromhishands.
AtthatKingMeliodas,wonderinggreatly,calledtomindthesuddendeathofhisyoungchild,andtakingherfiercelybythehandhecried:
“Traitress,tellmewhatdrinkisinthiscuporIwillslaytheeinamoment;”andtherewithpullingouthisswordhesworebyagreatoathtoslayherifshestraightwaytoldhimnotthetruth.
“Ah,mercy,lord,”saidshe,andfelldownathisfeet;“mercy,andIwilltelltheeall.”
AndthenshetoldhimofherplottomurderTristram,thatherownsonsmightenjoythekingdom.
“Thelawshalljudgethee,”saidtheking.
Andsoanonshewastriedbeforethebarons,andcondemnedtobeburnttodeath.
