Король Артур та лицарі Круглого столу
Chapter VI
Andmakingafierceblowathim,hesmoteoffbymischancethelady’shead.
“Alas!”criedGaheris,“foullyandshamefullyhaveyedone—theshameshallneverleaveye!Whygiveyenotyourmercyuntothemthataskit?aknightwithoutmercyiswithoutworshipalso.”
ThenSirGawainwassoreamazedatthatfairlady’sdeath,andknewnotwhattodo,andsaidtothefallenknight,“Arise,forIwillgivetheemercy.”
“Nay,nay,”saidhe,“Icarenotforthymercynow,forthouhastslainmyladyandmylove—thatofallearthlythingsIlovedthebest.”
“Irepentmesorelyofit,”saidSirGawain,“forImeanttohavestruckthee:butnowshaltthougotoKingArthurandtellhimthisadventure,andhowthouhastbeenovercomebytheknightthatfolloweththequestofthewhitehart.”
“IcarenotwhetherIliveordie,orwhereIgo,”repliedtheknight.
SoSirGawainsenthimtothecourttoCamelot,makinghimbearonedeadgreyhoundbeforeandonebehindhimonhishorse.“Tellmethynamebeforewepart,”saidhe.
“MynameisAthmoreoftheMarsh,”heanswered.
ThenwentSirGawainintothecastle,andpreparedtosleepthereandbegantounarm;butGaherisupbraidedhim,saying,“Willyedisarminthisstrangecountry?bethinkye,yemustneedshavemanyenemiesabout.
