Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter XI
TowhomKingMarksentanswer,ifhewouldhaveithemustsendandfightforit,andtheywouldfindachampiontofightagainstit.
SoKingAnguishcalledforSirMarhaus,hiswife’sbrother,agoodknightoftheRoundTable,wholivedthenathiscourt,andsenthimwithaknightlyretinueinsixgreatshipstoCornwall.And,castinganchorbythecastleofTintagil,hesentupdailytoKingMarkforthetributeorthechampion.Butnoknighttherewouldventuretoassailhim,forhisfamewasveryhighinalltherealmforstrengthandhardihood.
ThenmadeKingMarkaproclamationthroughoutCornwall,thatifanyknightwouldfightSirMarhausheshouldstandattheking’srighthandforevermore,andhavegreathonourandrichesalltherestofhisdays.AnonthisnewscametothelandofLyonesse,andwhenyoungTristramheardithewasangryandashamedtothinknoknightofCornwalldurstassailtheIrishchampion.“Alas,”saidhe,“thatIamnotaknight,thatImightmatchthisMarhaus!Iprayyougivemeleave,sir,todeparttoKingMark’scourtandbegofhisgracetomakemeknight.”
“Beruledbythyowncourage,”saidhisfather.
SoTristramrodeawayforthwithtoTintagiltoKingMark,andwentupboldlytohimandsaid,“Sir,givemetheorderofknighthoodandIwillfighttotheuttermostwithSirMarhausofIreland.”
“Whatareye,andwhencecomeye?”saidtheking,seeinghewasbutayoungman,thoughstrongandwellmadebothinbodyandlimb.
“MynameisTristram,”saidhe,“andIwasborninthecountryofLyonesse.
