Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter XIV
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ThenSirBediverereturnedagain,andtooktheswordupinhishand;butwhenhelookedonit,hethoughtitsinandshametothrowawayathingsonoble.Whereforehehidityetagain,andwentbacktotheking.
“Whatsawye?”saidKingArthur.
“Lord,”answeredhe,“Isawnothingbutthewaterebbingandflowing.”
“Oh,traitoranduntrue!”criedouttheking;“twicehastthounowbetrayedme.Artthoucalledofmenanobleknight,andwouldestbetraymeforajewelledsword?Now,therefore,goagainforthelasttime,forthytarryinghathputmeinsoreperilofmylife,andIfearmywoundhathtakencold;andifthoudoitnotthistime,bymyfaithIwillariseandslaytheewithmyhands.”
ThenSirBedivereranquicklyandtookupthesword,andwentdowntothewater’sedge,andboundthegirdleroundthehiltandthrewitfarintothewater.Andlo!anarmandhandcameforthabovethewater,andcaughtthesword,andbrandisheditthreetimes,andvanished.
SoSirBediverecameagaintothekingandtoldhimwhathehadseen.
“Helpmefromhence,”saidKingArthur;“forIdreadmeIhavetarriedoverlong.”
ThenSirBediveretookthekingupinhisarms,andborehimtothewater’sedge.Andbytheshoretheysawabargewiththreefairqueenstherein,alldressedinblack,andwhentheysawKingArthurtheyweptandwailed.
“Nowputmeinthebarge,“saidhetoSirBedivere,andtenderlyhedidso
