Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter XIV
AndwhenSirLancelotheardthereof,heputhisknightlyarmouroff,andbadefarewelltoallhiskin,andwentamightypilgrimageformanyyears,andafterlivedahermittillhisdeath.
WhenSirModredcametoDover,hefoundKingArthurandhisarmybutjustlanded;andtheretheyfoughtafierceandbloodybattle,andmanygreatandnobleknightsfellonbothsides.
Buttheking’ssidehadthevictory,forhewasbeyondhimselfwithmightandpassion,andallhisknightssofiercelyfollowedhim,that,inspiteofalltheirmultitude,theydroveSirModred’sarmybackwithfearfulwoundsandslaughter,andsleptthatnightuponthebattle-field.
ButSirGawainwassmittenbyanarrowinthewoundSirLancelotgavehim,andwoundedtothedeath.Thenwashebornetotheking’stent,andKingArthursorrowedoverhimasithadbeenhisownson.“Alas!”saidhe;“inSirLancelotandinyouIhadmygreatestearthlyjoy,andnowisallgonefromme.”
AndSirGawainanswered,withafeeblevoice,“Mylordandking,Iknowwellmydeathiscome,andthroughmyownwilfulness,forIamsmitteninthewoundSirLancelotgaveme.Alas!thatIhavebeenthecauseofallthiswar,forbutformethouhadstbeennowatpeacewithLancelot,andthenhadModredneverdonethistreason.Iprayye,therefore,mydearlord,benowagreedwithLancelot,andtellhim,thatalthoughhegavememydeath-wound,itwasthroughmyownseeking;whereforeIbeseechhimtocomebacktoEngland,andheretovisitmytomb,andprayformysoul.
