Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter XIV
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Then,withineightdays,ashehadsaid,SirLancelotrodefromoutthecastlewithQueenGuinevere,andahundredknightsforcompany,eachcarryinganolivebranch,insignofpeace.Andsotheycametothecourt,andfoundKingArthursittingonhisthrone,withSirGawainandmanyotherknightsaroundhim.AndwhenSirLancelotenteredwiththequeen,theybothkneeleddownbeforetheking.
AnonSirLancelotroseandsaid,“Mylord,Ihavebroughthithermyladythequeenagain,asrightrequireth,andbycommandmentofthePopeandyou.Iprayyetakehertoyourheartagainandforgetthepast.FormyselfImayasknothing,andformysinIshallhavesorrowandsorepunishment;yetIwouldtoheavenImighthaveyourgrace.”
Buterethekingcouldanswer,forhewasmovedwithpityathiswords,SirGawaincriedaloud,“Letthekingdoashewill,butbesure,SirLancelot,thouandIshallneverbeaccordedwhilewelive,forthouhasslainmybrethrentraitorouslyandunarmed.”
“Asheavenismyhelp,”repliedSirLancelot,“Ididitignorantly,forIlovedthemwell,andwhileIliveIshallbewailtheirdeath;buttomakewarwithmewerenoavail,forImustneedsfightwiththeeifthouassailest,andperadventureImightkilltheealso,whichIwererightlothtodo.”
“Iwillforgivetheenever,”criedSirGawain,“andifthekingaccordethwiththeeheshalllosemyservice.”
ThentheknightswhostoodneartriedtoreconcileSirGawaintoSirLancelot,buthewouldnothearthem.
