"T. H. White - The Once and Future King" - читать интересную книгу автора (White T.H)

"I am sure it was mischance. If you will help to end the war, we may be able to stop it fairly soon. It is
your justice we are said to be fighting for now, you know. I and the others who want to fight would have
to bow to that eventually. If you are content to make it up there is nobody who will be more happy than I
will be."
"Aye, but I swore to fight him to the death."
"You have had two good tries."
"And taken a braw thrashing ilka time," he said bitterly. "He could have made the war end twice. Nay, it
would look like cowardice to compound."
"The bravest people are the ones who don't mind looking like cowards. Remember how Lancelot hid in
Joyous Gard for months, while we sang songs outside."
"I canna forget our Gareth's face."


file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Incipit%20Liber%20Quartus.html (94 of 114)14-10-2007 15:44:46
 file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Incipit%20Liber%20Quartus.html


"It was sad for all of us."
Gawaine was trying to think, an effort not made easy to him by practice. On this dark evening it was
twice as difficult, because of his head. Since the time when Galahad gave him concussion in the quest
for the Grail he had been liable to headaches, and now, by a curious accident, Lancelot had given him
two blows in separate duels, on the same place.
"What for should I give in," he asked, "because he beats me? It would be fleeing him to give in now. If I
could fell him in a third engagement, maybe. And spare the chiel... It would be even."
"The fields," said the King thoughtfully, "will soon be king-cups and daisies in England. It would be
nice to win a peace."
"Aye, and the spring hawking."
The figure twisted in its dim bed with a movement of remembrance, but froze as the pain shot through
its skull. "Almighty, but my head throbs sorely." "Would you like me to get a wet cloth for it, or a drink
of milk?"
"Nay. Let it bide. It willna help." "Poor Gawaine. I hope nothing is broken in it." "The thing that is
broken is my spirit. Let us talk of other matters."
The King said doubtfully: "I ought not to talk too much. I think I ought to go away, and leave you to
sleep."
"Ach, stay. Dinna leave me by mysel'. It irks me when I am by my lone." "The doctor said..."
"Tae hell wi' the doctor. Bide a wee while. Hold my hand. Tell me of England."
"There ought to be a post tomorrow, and then we shall be able to read about England. We shall have the
latest news, and there will be a letter from young Mordred, and perhaps my Gwen will write to me."
"Mordred's letters are cold cheer, some way." Arthur hastened to defend him.
"That is only because he has an unhappy life. You may depend upon it there is a regular fire of love
inside him. Gwen used to say that all his warmth was for his mother." "He was fond of our mother."
"Perhaps he was in love with her." "That would account for why he was jealous of ye." Gawaine was
surprised at this discovery, which had struck him for the first time.
"Perhaps that was why he allowed Sir Agravaine to kill her, when she had that affair with Lamorak...
Poor boy, he has been ill-treated by the world,"
"He is the only brother I have left"
"I know. Lancelot's was a tragic accident."


file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Incipit%20Liber%20Quartus.html (95 of 114)14-10-2007 15:44:46