Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter V
KingPellesisthenearestkintoJosephindirectdescent,whereforeheheldtheseholythingsintrust;butnowhavetheyallgoneatthydolorousstroke,nomanknowethwhither;andgreatisthedamagetothisland,whichuntilnowhathbeenthehappiestofalllands,forbythatstrokethouhastslainthousands,andbythelossandpartingoftheSangrealthesafetyofthisrealmisputinperil,anditsgreathappinessisgoneforevermore.”
ThenBalindepartedfromMerlin,strucktohissoulwithgriefandsorrow,andsaid,“Inthisworldshallwemeetnevermore.”
Soherodeforththroughthefaircitiesandthecountry,andfoundthepeoplelyingdeadoneveryside.Andallthelivingcriedoutonhimashepassed,“OBalin,allthismiseryhastthoudone!ForthedolorousstrokethougavestKingPelles,threecountriesaredestroyed,anddoubtnotbutrevengewillfallontheeatlast!”
Whenhehadpassedtheboundaryofthosecountries,hewassomewhatcomforted,androdeeightdayswithoutadventure.Anonhecametoacross,whereonwaswritteninlettersofgold,“Itisnotforaknightalonetoridetowardsthiscastle.”Lookingup,hesawahoaryancientmancometowardshim,whosaid,“SirBalinleSavage,thoupassestthyboundsthisway;thereforeturnbackagain,itwillbebestforthee;”andwiththesewordshevanished.
Thendidhehearahornblowasitwerethedeathnoteofsomehuntedbeast.“Thatblast,”saidBalin,“isblownforme,forIamtheprey;thoughyetIbenotdead.
