Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter IV
Besides,therewasacollegeoftwohundredphilosophers,learnedinastronomy,andalltheothersciencesandarts.
Inthisplace,therefore,fullofsuchdelights,KingArthurheldhiscourt,withmanyjoustsandtournaments,androyalhuntings,andrestedforaseasonafterallhiswars.
AndonacertaindaytherecameintothecourtamessengerfromRyence,KingofNorthWales,bearingthismessagefromhismaster:ThatKingRyencehaddiscomfitedelevenkings,andhadcompelledeachoneofthemtocutoffhisbeard;thathehadtrimmedamantlewiththesebeards,andlackedbutonemorebeardtofinishit;andthathethereforenowsentforKingArthur’sbeard,whichherequiredofhimforthwith,orelsehewouldenterhislandsandburnandslay,andneverleavethemtillhehadtakenbyforcenothisbeardonly,buthisheadalso.
WhenKingArthurheardthesewordsheflushedallscarlet,andrisingingreatangersaid,“Wellisitfortheethatthouspeakestanotherman’swordswiththylips,andnotthineown.Thouhastsaidthymessage,whichisthemostinsolentandvillainousthatevermanheardsenttoanyking:nowhearmyreply.Mybeardisyettooyoungtotrimthatmantleofthymaster’swith;yet,youngalthoughIbe,Iowenohomageeithertohimoranyman—norwilleverowe.But,youngalthoughIbe,Iwillhavethymaster’shomageuponbothhiskneesbeforethisyearbepast,orelseheshalllosehishead,bythefaithofmybody,forthismessageistheshamefullestIeverheardspeakof.
