Английские легенды / The English Legends

King Uther was very angry to hear that message. He sent the messengers again to warn the duke that he should prepare for a war, and that in less than forty days, Uther would take his biggest castle from him.

When the duke heard this warning, he started to prepare his castles for war. The duke had two strong castles, the bigger one was called Terrabil, and the smaller one was called Tintagil. The duke put his wife Igraine in the castle of Tintagil, and he put himself in the castle of Terrabil, which had many secret exits and passageways.

Then in all haste[4 - in all haste – в великой поспешности] came Uther with a great army, and laid a siege to the castle of Terrabil. And there was a great war, and many people were slain.

But then Uther fell sick, because of his anger and his love to Igraine. A noble knight named Sir Ulfius came to king Uther and asked why he was sick.

“I will tell you,” said the king, “I am sick because of anger and love to fair Igraine.”

“Well, my lord,” said Sir Ulfius, “I will find Merlin, and he will prepare a remedy that will cure you.

” So Ulfius departed, and after great adventures he met Merlin.

“Who are you seeking?” Merlin asked him.

Sir Ulfius took a little pause to think.

“I will tell you who you are seeking,” said Merlin. “You are seeking Merlin, and you should seek no further, because I am he. If King Uther rewards me, and swears to do exactly as I say, I will give him what he wants so much.”

“I can promise you,” said Sir Ulfius, “that he will reward you and do as you ask, as long as you ask reasonable things of him.

”

“Ride back to Uther,” said Merlin, “And I will not be long behind[5 - will not be long behind – прибуду вслед за тобой].”

Ulfius was glad to hear that, and rode in all haste back to king Uther Pendragon, and told him that he had met Merlin.

“Where is he?” said the king. “Sir,” said Ulfius, “He will be here soon.”

As he said that, he saw that Merlin was standing at the entrance to the pavilion.

Then Merlin came to the king, and when the king saw him, he said he was welcome.

“Sir,” said Merlin, “I know what you wish with all your heart, so if you swear to me as a king that you will do as I say, you will have what you wish.”

The king swore on the Four Evangelists[6 - swore on the Four Evangelists – поклялся именами четырех евангелистов (авторов канонических Евангелий – Матфея, Марка, Луки и Иоанна)].