3 books to know King Arthur. Thomas Malory

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СКАЧАТЬ and pitched

      His tents beside the forest. Then he drave

      The heathen; after, slew the beast, and felled

      The forest, letting in the sun, and made

      Broad pathways for the hunter and the knight

      And so returned.

      For while he lingered there,

      A doubt that ever smouldered in the hearts

      Of those great Lords and Barons of his realm

      Flashed forth and into war: for most of these,

      Colleaguing with a score of petty kings,

      Made head against him, crying, 'Who is he

      That he should rule us? who hath proven him

      King Uther's son? for lo! we look at him,

      And find nor face nor bearing, limbs nor voice,

      Are like to those of Uther whom we knew.

      This is the son of Gorlois, not the King;

      This is the son of Anton, not the King.'

      And Arthur, passing thence to battle, felt

      Travail, and throes and agonies of the life,

      Desiring to be joined with Guinevere;

      And thinking as he rode, 'Her father said

      That there between the man and beast they die.

      Shall I not lift her from this land of beasts

      Up to my throne, and side by side with me?

      What happiness to reign a lonely king,

      Vext—O ye stars that shudder over me,

      O earth that soundest hollow under me,

      Vext with waste dreams? for saving I be joined

      To her that is the fairest under heaven,

      I seem as nothing in the mighty world,

      And cannot will my will, nor work my work

      Wholly, nor make myself in mine own realm

      Victor and lord. But were I joined with her,

      Then might we live together as one life,

      And reigning with one will in everything

      Have power on this dark land to lighten it,

      And power on this dead world to make it live.'

      Thereafter—as he speaks who tells the tale—

      When Arthur reached a field-of-battle bright

      With pitched pavilions of his foe, the world

      Was all so clear about him, that he saw

      The smallest rock far on the faintest hill,

      And even in high day the morning star.

      So when the King had set his banner broad,

      At once from either side, with trumpet-blast,

      And shouts, and clarions shrilling unto blood,

      The long-lanced battle let their horses run.

      And now the Barons and the kings prevailed,

      And now the King, as here and there that war

      Went swaying; but the Powers who walk the world

      Made lightnings and great thunders over him,

      And dazed all eyes, till Arthur by main might,

      And mightier of his hands with every blow,

      And leading all his knighthood threw the kings

      Carados, Urien, Cradlemont of Wales,

      Claudias, and Clariance of Northumberland,

      The King Brandagoras of Latangor,

      With Anguisant of Erin, Morganore,

      And Lot of Orkney. Then, before a voice

      As dreadful as the shout of one who sees

      To one who sins, and deems himself alone

      And all the world asleep, they swerved and brake

      Flying, and Arthur called to stay the brands

      That hacked among the flyers, 'Ho! they yield!'

      So like a painted battle the war stood

      Silenced, the living quiet as the dead,

      And in the heart of Arthur joy was lord.

      He laughed upon his warrior whom he loved

      And honoured most. 'Thou dost not doubt me King,

      So well thine arm hath wrought for me today.'

      'Sir and my liege,' he cried, 'the fire of God

      Descends upon thee in the battle-field:

      I know thee for my King!' Whereat the two,

      For each had warded either in the fight,

      Sware on the field of death a deathless love.

      And Arthur said, 'Man's word is God in man:

      Let chance what will, I trust thee to the death.'

      Then quickly from the foughten field he sent

      Ulfius, and Brastias, and Bedivere,

      His new-made knights, to King Leodogran,

      Saying, 'If I in aught have served thee well,

      Give me thy daughter Guinevere to wife.'

      Whom when he heard, Leodogran in heart

      Debating—'How should I that am a king,

      However much he holp me at my need,

      Give my one daughter saving to a king,

      And СКАЧАТЬ