Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter II
Someofthekings,whentheyheardMerlinspeakthus,marvelledandbelievedhim;butothers,asKingLot,laughedhimandhiswordstoscorn,andmockedhimforaconjurerandwizard.ButitwasagreedwithMerlinthatArthurshouldcomeforthandspeakwiththekings.
Sohewentforthtothemtothecitygate,andwithhimthearchbishopandMerlin,andSirKey,SirBrastias,andagreatcompanyofothers.Andhesparedthemnotinhisspeech,butspoketothemaskingandchieftaintellingthemplainlyhewouldmakethemallbowtohimifhelived,unlesstheychoosetodohimhomagethereandthen;andsotheypartedingreatwrath,andeachsidearmedinhaste.
“Whatwillyedo?”saidMerlintothekings;“yehadbestholdyourhands,forwereyetentimesasmanyyeshouldnotprevail.”
“Shallwebeafraidofadream-reader?”quothKingLotinscorn.
WiththatMerlinvanishedawayandcametoKingArthur.
ThenArthursaidtoMerlin,“Ihaveneednowofaswordthatshallchastisetheserebelsterribly.”
“Comethenwithme,”saidMerlin,“forhardbythereisaswordthatIcangainforthee.”
Sotheyrodeoutthatnighttilltheycametoafairandbroadlake,andinthemidstofitKingArthursawanarmthrustup,clothedinwhitesamite,andholdingagreatswordinthehand.
“Lo!yonderistheswordIspokeof,”saidMerlin.
ThensawtheyadamselfloatingonthelakeintheMoonlight.“Whatdamselisthat?”saidtheking.
