Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter II
ButwhenafterthebanquetArthurbegan,accordingtotheancientroyalcustom,tobestowgreatboonsandfiefsonwhomhewould,theyallwithoneaccordroseup,andscornfullyrefusedhisgifts,cryingthattheywouldtakenothingfromabeardlessboycomeofloworunknownbirth,butwouldinsteadgivehimgoodgiftsofhardsword-strokesbetweenneckandshoulders.
Whereataroseadeadlytumultinthehall,andeverymantheremadehimreadytofight.ButArthurleapedupasaflameoffireagainstthem,andallhisknightsandbaronsdrawingtheirswords,rushedafterhimuponthemandbeganafullsorebattle;andpresentlytheking’spartyprevailed,anddravetherebelsfromthehallandfromthecity,closingthegatesbehindthem;andKingArthurbrakehisswordupontheminhiseagernessandrage.
Butamongstthemweresixkingsofgreatrenownandmight,whomorethanallragedagainstArthuranddeterminedtodestroyhim,namely,KingLot,KingNanters,KingUrien,KingCarados,KingYder,andKingAnguisant.Thesesix,therefore,joiningtheirarmiestogether,laidclosesiegetothecityofCaerleon,wherefromKingArthurhadsoshamefullydriventhem.
AndafterfifteendaysMerlincamesuddenlyintotheircampandaskedthemwhatthistreasonmeant.ThenhedeclaredtothemthatArthurwasnobaseadventurer,butKingUther’sson,whomtheywereboundtoserveandhonoureventhoughHeavenhadnotvouchsafedthewondrousmiracleofthesword.