Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter II
AndwhenhesawtheswordinArthur’shandhesetadayandsummonedalltheprinces,knights,andbaronstomeetagainatSt.Paul’sChurchandseethewillofHeavensignified.Sowhentheycametogether,theswordwasputbackinthestone,andalltried,fromthegreatesttotheleast,tomoveit;buttherebeforethemallnotonecouldtakeitoutsaveArthuronly.
Butthenbefellagreatconfusionanddispute,forsomecriedoutitwasthewillofHeaven,and,“LongliveKingArthur,”butmanymorewerefullofwrathandsaid,“What!wouldyegivetheancientsceptreofthislanduntoaboybornnoneknowhow?”Andthecontentiongrowinggreatly,tillnothingcouldbedonetopacifytheirrage,themeetingwasatlengthbrokenupbythearchbishopandadjournedtillCandlemas,whenallshouldmeetagain.
ButwhenCandlemaswascome,Arthuraloneagainpulledforththesword,thoughmorethanevercametowinit;andthebarons,sorelyvexedandangry,putitindelaytillEaster.ButashehadspedbeforesohedidatEaster,andthebaronsyetoncemorecontriveddelaystillPentecost.
Butnowthearchbishop,fullyseeingGod’swill,calledtogether,byMerlin’scounsel,abandofknightsandgentlemen-at-arms,andsetthemaboutArthurtokeephimsafelytillthefeastofPentecost.