Король Артур и рыцари Круглого стола
Chapter III
Andonacertainday,asthekingsatwithhisbarons,therecameintothecourtasquireonhorseback,carryingaknightbeforehimwoundedtothedeath,andtoldthekingthathardbyintheforestwasaknightwhohadrearedupapavilionbythefountain,“andhathslainmymaster,avaliantknight,whosenamewasNirles;whereforeIbeseechthee,Lord,mymastermaybeburied,andthatsomegoodknightmayavengehisdeath.”
AtthatsteppedforthasquirenamedGriflet,whowasveryyoung,beingofthesameagewithKingArthur,andbesoughttheking,foralltheservicehehaddone,togivehimknighthood.
“Thouartfullyoungandtenderofage,”saidKingArthur,“totakesohighanorderuponthee.”
“Sir,”saidGriflet,“Ibeseechtheemakemeaknight;”andMerlinalsoadvisingthekingtogranthisrequest,“Well,”saidArthur,“beitthenso,”andknightedhimforthwith.Thensaidhetohim,“SinceIhavegrantedtheethisfavour,thoumustinturngrantmeagift.”
“Whatsoeverthouwilt,mylord,”repliedSirGriflet.
“Promiseme,”saidKingArthur,“bythefaithofthybody,thatwhenthouhastjoustedwiththisknightatthefountain,thouwiltreturntomestraightway,unlessheslaythee.”
“Ipromise,”saidSirGriflet;andtakinghishorseinhaste,hedressedhisshield,andtookaspearinhishandandrodefullgalloptillhecametothefountain,bythesideofwhichhesawarichpavilion,andagreathorsestandingwellsaddledandbridled,andonatreeclosebytherehungashieldofmanycoloursandalonglance.
