Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter XI
”
“Nay,”saidSirTristram,“Iwillnevergivemyshieldupforhersakewhogaveitme;butifthouwiltnotstandbymeto-dayIwillsurelyslaythee;forIasknomoreoftheethantofightoneknight,andifthyheartwillnotservetheethatmuch,thoushaltstandbyandlookonmeandthem.”
“WouldGodthatIhadnevermetwithye!”criedSirDinadan;“butIpromisetolookonanddoallthatImaytosavemyself.”
Anontheycametowherethethirtyknightslaywaiting,andSirTristramrusheduponthem,saying,“HereisonewhofightsforloveofLancelot!”Thenslewhetwoofthematthefirstonsetwithhisspear,andtenmoreswiftlyafterwithhissword.AtthatSirDinadantookcourage,andassailedtheotherswithhim,tilltheyturnedandfled.
ButSirTristramandSirDinadanrodeontillnightfall,andmeetingwithashepherd,askedhimifheknewofanylodgingthereabouts.
“Truly,fairlords,”saidhe,“thereisgoodlodginginacastlehardby,butitisacustomtherethatnoneshalllodgethereinsaveyefirstjoustwithtwoknights,andassoonasyebewithin,yeshallfindyourmatch.”
“Thatisanevillodging,”saidSirDinadan;“lodgewhereyewill,Iwillnotlodgethere.”
“Shameonthee!”saidSirTristram;“artthouaknightatall?”
Thenherequiredhimonhisknighthoodtogowithhim,andtheyrodetogethertothecastle.Assoonastheywerenear,twoknightscameoutandranfullspeedagainstthem;butbothofthemtheyoverthrew,andwentwithinthecastle,andhadnoblecheer.
