Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter VII
ButSirAccolondiedwithinfourdaysafter.Andwhenhewasdead,thekingsenthisbodytoQueenMorgan,toCamelot,sayingthathesentherapresentinreturnfortheswordExcaliburwhichshehadsenthimbythedamsel.
So,onthemorrow,therecameadamselfromQueenMorgantotheking,andbroughtwithhertherichestmantlethateverwasseen,foritwassetasfullofpreciousstonesastheycouldstandagainsteachother,andtheywerethericheststonesthateverthekingsaw.Andthedamselsaid,“Yoursistersendethyouthismantle,andprayethyoutotakehergift,andinwhatsoeverthingshehathoffendedyou,shewillamenditatyourpleasure.”Tothisthekingrepliednot,althoughthemantlepleasedhimmuch.Withthatcameintheladyofthelake,andsaid,“Sir,putnotonthismantletillthouhastseenmore;andinnowiseletitbeputuponthee,oranyofthyknights,tillyehavemadethebringerofitfirstputitonher.”“Itshallbedoneasthoudostcounsel,”saidtheking.Thensaidhetothedamselthatcamefromhissister,“Damsel,Iwouldseethismantleyehavebroughtmeuponyourself.”“Sir,”saidshe,“itwillnotbeseemmetowearaknight’sgarment.”“Bymyhead,”saidKingArthur,“thoushallwearitereitgoonanyotherperson’sback!”Andsotheyputitonherbyforce,andforthwiththegarmentburstintoaflameandburnedthedamselintocinders.Whenthekingsawthat,hehatedthatfalsewitchMorganleFaywithallhisheart,andevermorewasdeadlyquarrelbetweenherandArthurtotheirlives’end.