Текст книги "Английские легенды / The English Legends"

Chapter 3,

in which Arthur defeated all the kings who didn’t want to acknowledge his rule, got himself a queen and the Round Table

After he was crowned, King Arthur made it known through criers that he was preparing a big feast at Pentecost[15]15
  At Pentecost – в праздник Пятидесятницы


[Закрыть] at the city of Carlion. To the feast came King Lot of Lothian and of Orkney, with five hundred knights with him. Also there came to the feast King Uriens of Gore with four hundred knights with him. Also there came to that feast King Nentres of Garlot, with seven hundred knights with him. Also there came to the feast the king of Scotland with six hundred knights with him, and he was but a young man. Also there came to the feast a king that was called the King with the Hundred Knights, but he and his men had very good weapons and armor. Also there came the king of Carados with five hundred knights.

King Arthur was glad to see them, because he thought that they came to show him respect and to join his feast. The king was very happy and sent great presents to those kings and knights. But the kings didn’t take the gifts, and sent the messengers back, saying that they had no joy in receiving gifts from a beardless boy that came from low blood. They also said that they wouldn’t take his gifts, but instead came to deliver him the gift of their own: with hard swords between the neck and the shoulders. They didn’t believe in Arthur’s rights to the throne, and came to save a noble realm from such a young and simple boy.

Following the advice of his barons, king Arthur took five hundred knights and went to live in a strong tower.

The kings and the knights laid siege to that tower, but Arthur and his men had lots of supplies that would last them long[16]16
  Would last them long – на которых они смогли бы прожить долго


[Закрыть].

After fifteen days, Merlin came to the city of Carlion. All the kings were glad to see him, and asked him this. “For what cause is that boy Arthur made king?” they asked.

“Sirs,” said Merlin, “I shall tell you the cause. He is King Uther Pendragon’s son, rightfully born from Igraine, the duke’s wife of Tintagil.”

“Then he is a bastard,” said the kings. “And has no claim to the throne.”

“That is not so,” Merlin answered.

“After the death of the duke, more than after three hours, Arthur was conceived. And in thirteen days after that King Uther wed Igraine, so that proves that he is no bastard and a rightful heir to the throne. And he will overcome anybody who says no to that, he will either slay them, or make them serve him. He will be king of all England, and with that he will have Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, and many more realms that I will not name.”

Some of the kings believed Merlin’s words, some of them laughed at him, for instance[17]17
  For instance – например


[Закрыть], King Lot, and some other men called Merlin a witch. What they did agree on was that King Arthur should come out from his tower and speak with the kings, and they guaranteed his safety. So Merlin went to Arthur and told him what he should do.

“Come out boldly and speak with them like their king and ruler,” said Merlin. “They will not harm you this time, and after that you will defeat those of them who do not pledge their loyalty[18]18
  Pledge loyalty – поклясться в верности


[Закрыть] to you.”

So Arthur put on a chainmail under his gown, and came out and spoke to the kings harshly, like their king and ruler. Some of the kings and the knights appreciated his confidence, but others were very angry that such a young man with so few knights by his side spoke to them this way. Strong words were said from the both sides. After that Arthur returned to his tower and started preparing his knights for a fight.

Merlin went to speak to the kings and asked them what they were planning to do.

“Although whatever it is[19]19
  Whatever it is – Что бы это ни было


[Закрыть], you better bow before King Arthur,” Merlin added. “Because you will not win tonight, even if you had ten times more men than him.”

“Why should we listen to a dream-reader?” King Lot asked, preparing for battle.

Having heard that, Merlin vanished away[20]20
  Vanished away – исчез


[Закрыть], and came back to Arthur.

“Attack them fiercely,” he said, “Because tonight you will win the battle. But remember: only use your sword from the stone when you think the battle is almost lost, and then you will have your victory.”

So Arthur came out with his knights, and there was a great battle. Sir Baudwin, Sir Kay, and Sir Brastias fought bravely besides King Arthur and slain great many enemies. King Arthur on horseback did marvelous deeds of arms with his sword, and many of the kings had great joy seeing his deeds. Then King Lot, King with the Hundred Knights, and King Carados attacked from behind, and went straight to King Arthur. King Arthur turned to face them, but when he came to fight King Lot, his horse was slain underneath him. Four of his knights got him up and set him on another horse. Then Arthur drew the sword he got from the stone, and it was so bright in his enemies’ eyes, that it gave light like thirty torches. So he rode forward and slew many people.

The kings started to slowly retreat their forces. Merlin advised Arthur what to do: not to try and slay them all, but rather to send his knights to press the kings and drive them on a hill[21]21
  Drive them on a hill – загнать их на холм


[Закрыть] above the sea. So the kings fought fiercely, almost surrounded by Arthur’s forces and retreating step by step, until at one moment they found that there is no way to go. Arthur and his men are on one side, a cliff above the sea is on the other side.

“This young man isn’t as young and helpless as we thought,” said King Uriens to King Lot. “It seems that[22]22
  It seems that – похоже, что


[Закрыть] we should bow to him indeed, unless we’d rather jump into the sea and die.”

The kings talked with each other like that, and finally concluded that King Arthur has proven himself worthy indeed, so they pledged their loyalty to him. Not all of the kings did that gladly, but they decided to join the others, at least for now.

After that there came a time for great joy. King Arthur fell in love with a daughter of one of his allies, King of the land of Cameliard, and her name was Guenever. Meanwhile, the lords from his council said that Arthur needs a wife. So he came to seek Merlin’s advice.

“My barons will let me have no rest, but say that I need to take a wife,” he said to Merlin. “But I don’t want to wed anyone without asking for your counsel first.”

“It would be good,” said Merlin, “for you to take a wife, because a man of your blood and rank should not be without a wife. Is there any woman that you love more than others?”

“Yes,” said King Arthur, “I love Guenever, the daughter of king Leodegrance of the land of Cameliard. She is the fairest and the most beautiful lady that I know living, or that I ever could find.”

“Sir,” said Merlin, “As for her beauty and fairness, had you not loved her, I could find you a woman to your liking. But if a man’s heart is set, he will hate to change it.”

“That is truth,” said Arthur.

So they arranged a marriage between King Arthur and Guenever.

“That is very good news,” said King Leodegrance, “My daughter will have the best husband possible. As for my lands, I hear that King Arthur has so many lands that he does not need more, so I shall give him the Table Round, which Uther Pendragon gave me long ago. This table is round, and there are places for a hundred knights and fifty. A hundred good knights I have myself, but the other fifty Arthur will have to find himself.”

When they delivered the Table Round to London and placed it in Arthur’s castle, the chairs for that table had knights’ names appeared on them. That way, each knight had a set place, which did not change so that nobody would fight over a better place. More so, since the table was round, every knight was at the same distance from the King, who was sitting with his queen in the middle.

Excercises

I. Выберите верный вариант:

a)

1. King Arthur married a lady named Guenever.

2. King Arthur never married.

3. King Arthur married a lady named Igraine.

4. King Arthur married a lady named Merlin.

b)

1. The knights and King Arthur exchanged gifts.

2. The knights took King Arthur’s gifts, but offered nothing in return.

3. The knights took King Arthur’s gifts, and had gifts for him, but he didn’t want them.

4. The knights didn’t want King Arthur’s gifts, and he didn’t want their gifts.

c) How did Merlin advise King Arthur to talk to the kings?

1. He told Arthur to speak harshly, like a king.

2. He told Arthur to speak softly, and offer rich gifts.

3. He told Arthur to speak to them like equals.

4. He told Arthur to yell at them and call them cowards.

d) What did King Leodegrance give Arthur for his wedding?

1. Some of his lands.

2. The Table Round.

3. The Table Round and some lands.

4. The Table Round and a hundred knights.

e) How many places did Table Round havefor the knights?

1. 50

2. 150

3. 100

4. 180

f) What is a bastard?

1. A bad man.

2. A son born outside of marriage.

3. A man who wants to be a king but doesn’t have a right to.

4. An animal with four legs and two horns.

g) What did the kings do when they found out they were on a cliff above the sea, with nowhere to run?

1. They bowed to King Arthur as their king.

2. They fought to death.

3. They jumped from the cliff into the sea and died.

4. They fought with King Arthur’s forces and escaped.

II. Расставьте наречия fiercely, slowly, boldly, rightfully

1. You should attack them __________

2. The kings retreated their forces ____________

3. He claimed the throne __________________

4. Go out and speak to them _________________

III. Расставьте прилагательные fair, angry, rightful, strong

1. Arthur is a ________ heir.

2. Guenever was a ____________ lady.

3. The lords were __________ to see Arthur as their king.

4. They went to live in a ____________ tower.

Chapter 4,

in which Arthur fought with Sir Pellinore, Merlin saved Arthur’s life, and Arthur got his sword Excalibur

One time Arthur heard that not two nights away from Carlion, a knight blocked a road through the forest. Anybody who wanted to pass had to joust with that knight. So Arthur went to put an end to it. Early in the morning he set off[23]23
  He set off – он отправился в путь


[Закрыть] from Carlion to that place.

He rode a soft pace[24]24
  Rode a soft pace – ехал шагом


[Закрыть] until it was day, and then he saw three bandits chasing Merlin. The king rode unto them[25]25
  Rode unto them – поехал на них


[Закрыть], and yelled “Flee, bandits!” They were afraid to see a knight, so they fled. “O Merlin,” said Arthur, “had I not come to the rescue, they would have killed you, and your magic crafts would not help you.”

“No,” said Merlin, “I could save myself if I wished to, and you are closer to your end than I am to mine. You are going to your death, and God is not with you on that path.”

They went on talking like that, until they came to the fountain, and to the rich pavilion near it. King Arthur saw an armed knight sitting in a chair. “Sir knight,” said Arthur, “for what cause are you sitting there, so that no one can pass without jousting with you?

I demand that you stop doing that.” “This is a custom I’ve had for a long time, and I live by it,” the knight replied. “And if someone doesn’t like my custom, he should teach me a new one.” “I intend to do that,” said Arthur. The knight mounted his horse and took his shield and spear. They rode unto each other and met so hard, that both their spears were broken into small pieces. Arthur took out his sword and prepared to use it.

“No,” said the knight, “Let us fight on spears again.”

“I would like it,” said Arthur, “but I don’t have any spears.”

“I do,” said the knight. So there came a squire and brought them two good spears. Arthur chose one of them, and the knight took the other one. So they spurred their horses[26]26
  They spurred their horses – они пришпорили коней


[Закрыть], and again, they met so hard that their spears broke to the hilts. Once more Arthur set hand on his sword. “No,” said the knight, “You are the best jouster I’ve met, so I want to joust with you once more, for the love of the high order of knighthood[27]27
  For the love of the high order of knighthood – во славу рыцарского искусства


[Закрыть].” Again, a squire brought two good spears, the knights rode unto each other. This time, the knight stroke Arthur so hard in his shield, so that the man and the horse fell to the ground. Arthur stood up and pulled out his sword, and said, “Now I will attack you on foot with my sword, because I have lost my horse.”

“Very good,” said the knight, “I will stay mounted and fight you.”

Arthur was very angry to hear that. He took his shield and started towards the knight, with his sword drawn. When the knight saw that Arthur indeed wanted to fight him on foot, he decided that there will be no honor in having such an advantage. So he dismounted, took his shield and sword, and went to fight Arthur on foot. And there began a strong battle with many great strokes, and soon both their armours and shields were damaged heavily, and the field was covered in their blood. The knights took a short rest, for they were tired, and then continued the fight. Again they fought hard. At last, their swords met together in a hard stroke. But the sword of the knight broke Arthur’s sword in two pieces.

“So,” said the knight, “You have nothing to fight with, and your life is in my hands now. If you want to live, yield now.”

“I will not yield,” said Arhur, “I would rather die than to know such shame.” And he leapt unto the knight, took him by the middle, threw him down, and tried to take off his helm. But the knight turned over, brought Arthur under him, took off his helm and prepared to cut off Arthur’s head.

At this instant[28]28
  At this instant – в это мгновение


[Закрыть] Merlin came to the knight and said, “Knight, hold your hand. If you slay that knight, you will put this realm to the greatest damage that it has ever seen, because this knight is much more important than you think.” “Why, who is he?” said the knight. “This is king Arthur,” said Merlin. Now the knight wanted to kill Arthur even more, because he was afraid of his revenge. But Merlin put a spell on the knight so that he went asleep. “Alas![29]29
  Alas! – Увы!


[Закрыть]” said Arthur “What have you done, Merlin? Have you slain this good knight with your magic? There lived no greater knight than he was, I would give away all my land for a year so that he were alive.”

“Don’t worry,” said Merlin, “I have only put him to sleep, and he will awake within three hours. I told you what a knight he was, you would be dead if not for me. There is no greater knight than him, and he will do you good service. His name is Sir Pellinore, and he will have two sons that will do many great deeds. Their names will be Percivale of Wales and Lamerake of Wales, and he will tell you the name of your son from your sister, that will be the destruction of all this realm.”

After the fight Merlin took Arthur to a hermit to rest and heal. For three days Arthur and Merlin stayed at the hermit’s shack, until Arthur was healed and could travel again. As they set off, Arthur said: “I have no sword”. “Do not worry,” Merlin replied, “I know a good sword nearby, let’s see[30]30
  let’s see = let us see – посмотрим


[Закрыть] if I can get it for you”. So they rode through the forest, until they came to a broad lake with fair water. In the middle of the lake Arthur saw an arm dressed in white silk, holding a beautiful sword in a scabbard. “This is the sword of which I spoke,” said Merlin. “It is named Excalibur.” Then they saw a woman in white garment. “Who is that?” Arthur asked. “That is the lady of the Lake,” said Merlin, “when she comes to you, speak fair to her, and she will give you that sword.” The lady came to Arthur, and saluted him.

“Fair lady,” said Arthur, “What sword is that the arm is holding above the water? I would like to have it, for[31]31
  For – зд. – в устевающем значении «потому что», сродни рус-скому «ибо»


[Закрыть] I have lost my sword.”

“Sir Arthur, king,” said the lady, “that sword is mine. I can give it to you, if you promise to do something for me when I ask it of you later.”

“I swear by my faith[32]32
  I swear by my faith – клянусь своей верой (зд. – христианской)


[Закрыть],” said Arthur, “I will give you whatever you will ask.”

“Well,” said the lady, “go into this boat, and row to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my favor when the time comes.” So Sir Arthur and Merlin dismounted, tied their horses to two trees, and went into the boat. When they came to the sword that the hand held, Sir Arthur took it by the handles, and took it with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water. An so they returned to the land and rode on, and then Sir Arthur saw a rich pavilion.

“What does this mean?” Arthur asked.

“It is the pavilion of the knight that you fought with last, Sir Pellinore,” Merlin replied, “but he is out, he is not there. He fought with a knight of yours, Egglame, and then Egglame ran away, and Pellinore chased him even to Carlion. He is returning now, and we shall meet with him on the road.”

“That is well said,” said Arthur, “now I have a sword, and I will fight with him again, and be avenged on him[33]33
  Will be avenged on him (устар.) – отомщу ему


[Закрыть].”

“Sir, do not do so,” said Merlin, “for the knight is tired after fighting and chasing. There will be no honor in defeating him. I advise you to let him pass, for he will do you good service soon, and his sons will do you good service after his days. You will soon see that you will be so glad of him that you will give him your sister to marry.”

“When I see him, I will do as you advise,” said Arthur.

Then Sir Arthur examined his sword and found it very much to his liking. “What do you like more,” Merlin asked, “the sword or the scabbard?”

“I like the sword much more,” said Arthur.

“You are unwise,” Merlin replied.

“For the scabbard is worth ten of the swords. While you have it on you, you will never lose blood, and you will never be wounded seriously. Keep the scabbard always with you.” So they rode to Carlion, and on their way they met with Sir Pellinore. But Merlin used his magic so that Pellinore didn’t see Arthur, and he passed by without any words.

“I wonder why the knight did not speak to me,” said Arthur.

“Sir,” said Merlin, “He did not see you, because had he seen you, you had to fight him.”

So they came to Carlion, where Arthur’s knights were glad he returned. He told them about his adventures, and they were happy because he would risk his person by going alone. The knights were merry to be under such a king, who would put his life in adventure, as other poor knights did.

Excercises

I. Выберите верный вариант:

a)

1. King Arthur fought Sir Pellinore, defeated him and beheaded him.

2. King Arthur fought Sir Pellinore, and was defeated and beheaded by him.

3. King Arthur fought Sir Pellinore, was defeated, and then was saved by Merlin.

4. King Arthur fought Merlin, was defeated, and then was saved by Sir Pellinore.

b) What did King Arthur get from the Lady of the lake?

1. A sword named Excalibur and a scabbard.

2. White garments and a boat.

3. A rich pavilion and two horses.

c) What did King Arthur swear by, and what did he swear to give to the Lady of the lake?

1. He swore by his sword to marry the Lady of the lake.

2. He swore by his faith to give the Lady of the lake whatever she asks of him later.

3. He swore by his kingdom to give the Lady of the lake whatever she asks of him later.

4. He swore by his faith to give the Lady of the lake the life of one of his knights.

d) What is a hermit?

1. A man who lives alone, at a distant place.

2. A travelling musician.

3. A knight without a master.

4. A man who heals people as his profession.

e) What is a scabbard?

1. A two-edged iron weapon used by knights.

2. Something you hold your sword in, so that you don’t cut something by mistake and so that it doesn’t get rusty.

3. An amulet that protects its bearer from any harm.

4. A metal plate with a handle, used as protection.

f) Why didn’t Pellinore kill Arthur when they were fighting?

1. Because Arthur disarmed him and won the fight.

2. Because he didn’t want to become a killer.

3. Because Arthur conceded and begged Pellinore for mercy.

4. Because Merlin put Pellinore to sleep just when he was about to kill Arthur.

g) Why didn’t Pellinore speak to Arthur on the high road?

1. Because they didn’t pass each other.

2. Because he was too proud to speak to someone he had defeated.

3. Because he was too busy, fighting with another knight.

4. Because Merlin made it so that Pellinore didn’t see Arthur.

h) What did Merlin say to convince Arthur not to fight Pellinore again?

1. That there was no honour in defeating a tired man, and that Pellinore and his sons will do Arthur good service later.

2. That when Pellinore defeats Arthur again, Merlin will not save Arthur, and he will get killed.

3. That there is no honour in fighting the same man twice.

4. That they must hurry to Carlion, and there isn’t enough time to fight.

II. Расставьте предлоги into, through, to, by

1. They rode ______ the forest.

2. They came _______ a broad lake.

3. They went __________ the boat.

4. Arthur took it _________ the handles.