Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter XII
Castitaway,andthereshallcomenomorehideousnoisesfromthetomb.”
“AndnowmustIdepart,”headded,“forIhavemuchinhand,andamupontheholyquestoftheSangreal,withmanymoregoodknights.”
Sohetookhisleave,androdemanyjourneysbackwardsandforwardsasadventurewouldleadhim;andatlastonedayhedepartedfromacastlewithoutfirsthearingmass,whichwasiteverhiscustomtohearbeforehelefthislodging.Anonhefoundaruinedchapelonamountain,andwentinandkneeledbeforethealtar,andprayedforwholesomecounselwhattodo;andasheprayedheheardavoice,whichsaid,“Depart,adventurousknight,untotheMaiden’sCastle,andredresstheviolenceandwrongstheredone!”
Hearingthesewordshecheerfullyarose,andmountedhishorse,androdebuthalfamile,whenhesawbeforehimastrongcastle,withdeepditchesroundit,andafairriverrunningpast.Andseeinganoldchurlhardby,heaskedhimwhatmencalledthatcastle.
“Fairsir,”saidhe,“itistheMaiden’sCastle.”
“Itisacursedplace,”saidGalahad,“andallitsmastersarebutfelons,fullofmischiefandhardnessandshame.”
“Forthatgoodreason,”saidtheoldman,“thouwertwell-advisedtoturntheeback.”
“Forthatsamereason,”quothSirGalahad,“willIthemorecertainlyrideon.”
Then,lookingathisarmourcarefully,toseethatnothingfailedhim,hewentforward,andpresentlytheremethimsevendamsels,whocriedout,“Sirknight,thouridestingreatperil,forthouhasttwowaterstopassover.