Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter X
AndwhenSirGarethhadriddenfarintotheforest,hetookoffhisring,andsentitbackbythedwarftotheLadyLyones,prayinghertobetrueandfaithfultohimwhilehewasaway.
ThenrodeSirGarethlongthroughtheforest,tillnightfell,andcomingtoacastlehewentuptothegate,andprayedtheportertolethimin.Butchurlishlyheanswered“thatheshouldnotlodgethere.”ThensaidSirGareth,“TellthylordandladythatIamaknightofKingArthur’scourt,andforhissakeIpraytheirshelter.”Withthattheporterwenttotheduchesswhoownedthecastle.“Lethiminstraightway,”criedshe;“fortheking’ssakeheshallnotbeharbourless!”andwentdowntoreceivehim.WhenSirGarethsawhercoming,hesalutedher,andsaid,“Fairlady,Iprayyougivemeshelterforthisnight,andiftherebehereanychampionorgiantwithwhomImustneedsfight,sparemetillto-morrow,whenIandmyhorseshallhaverested,forwearefullweary.”“Sirknight,”shesaid,“thouspeakestboldly;forthelordofthiscastleisafoetoKingArthurandhiscourt,andifthouwiltresthereto-nightthoumustagree,thatwheresoeverthoumayestmeetmylord,thoumustyieldtohimasaprisoner.”“Whatisthylord’sname,lady?”saidSirGareth.“TheDukedelaRowse,”saidshe.“Iwillpromisethee,”saidhe,“toyieldtohim,ifhepromisetodomenoharm;butifherefuse,Iwillreleasemyselfwithmyswordandspear.”
“Itiswell,”saidtheduchess;andcommandedthedrawbridgetobeletdown.Soherodeintothehallandalighted.