Читать книгу Famous Legends Adapted for Children - Emeline G. Crommelin - Страница 15

Table of Contents

Once, when King Arthur and Merlin were riding through the forest, they came to a beautiful lake. In the middle of the lake the king saw an arm, clothed in white samite (a rich silken fabric), that held a fair sword in the hand.

“Look!” said Merlin; “that is the sword of which I told.”

As Merlin spoke there appeared a damsel coming toward them on the lake. “That is the Lady of the Lake,” said Merlin; “and if she comes to you, speak to her, and do whatsoever she asks of you.”

“Fair damsel, what sword is that which the arm holds above the water yonder? I wish it were mine, for I broke my sword but now, in a fierce battle with a knight in the forest, and so I have none.”

“Sir King,” said the damsel, “that sword is mine. If you will give me whatever I shall ask, you shall have it.”

“By my faith,” said Arthur, “I promise you any gift you will ask of me.”

Then the damsel, pointing to a barge on the lake, bade King Arthur row himself to the sword, and take it, with the scabbard. Then would she ask her gift of him, when she saw her time.

So the king and Merlin tied their horses, and rowed themselves to the sword that the hand held. King Arthur took it by the hilt, and the hand disappeared beneath the water.

Then they departed, and King Arthur liked his sword well.

There came into King Arthur’s court, one day, a richly dressed lady. It was the Lady of the Lake. After she had saluted the king, she demanded of him the gift he had promised when she gave him the sword.

“True, indeed,” said King Arthur; “but the name of the sword that you gave me I have forgotten.”

“It is named,” said the lady, “Excalibur.”

“It is well,” said King Arthur. “Ask what you will, and you shall have it, if I have the power to give it.”

“I ask,” said the lady, “the head of the knight that has won this sword, or else the head of the damsel who brought it.”

“It cannot be,” said King Arthur. “I may not grant you either of their heads, so ask what you will else, and it shall be granted.”

“Then I shall ask nothing else of you,” said the lady.

A poor knight, as he was departing from court, saw the Lady of the Lake. When he was told that she had demanded the head of King Arthur, he took his sword, and in the presence of the king smote off her head.

King Arthur was sorely grieved, and cried: “Why have you done so? You have shamed me and all my court. This was the lady that gave me my sword, Excalibur, and she came hither under my protection. I shall never forgive you for this deed.”

Then was there great sorrow in the court for the death of the Lady of the Lake, and King Arthur had her richly buried.