Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter VII
Andwhentheyweresworntoeachotherontheholygospels,allthoseimprisonedknightswerestraightwayledforthanddelivered,butabodethereoneandalltoseethebattle.
InthemeanwhiletherehadhappenedtoSirAccolonofGaulastrangeadventure;forwhenheawokefromhisdeepsleepuponthesilkenbarge,hefoundhimselfupontheedgeofadeepwell,andininstantperiloffallingthereinto.Whereat,leapingupingreataffright,hecrossedhimselfandcriedaloud,“MayGodpreservemylordKingArthurandKingUrience,forthosedamselsintheshiphavebetrayedus,andweredoubtlessdevilsandnowomen;andifImayescapethismisadventure,IwillcertainlydestroythemwheresoeverImayfindthem.”Withthattherecametohimadwarfwithagreatmouth,andaflatnose,andsalutedhim,sayingthathecamefromQueenMorganleFay.“Andshegreetethyouwell,”saidhe,“andbiddethyoubestrongofheart,forto-morrowyoushalldobattlewithastrangeknight,andthereforeshehathsentyouhereExcalibur,KingArthur’ssword,andthescabbardlikewise.Andshedesirethyouasyoudolovehertofightthisbattletotheuttermost,andwithoutanymercy,asyouhavepromisedheryouwouldfightwhensheshouldrequireitofyou;andshewillmakearichqueenforeverofanydamselthatshallbringherthatknight’sheadwithwhomyouaretofight.