Itwasasoft,reposefulsummerlandscape,aslovelyasadream,andaslonesomeasSunday.Theairwasfullofthesmellofflowers,andthebuzzingofinsects,andthetwitteringofbirds,andtherewerenopeople,nowagons,therewasnostiroflife,nothinggoingon.Theroadwasmainlyawindingpathwithhoof-printsinit,andnowandthenafainttraceofwheelsoneithersideinthegrass——wheelsthatapparentlyhadatireasbroadasone\'shand.
Presentlyafairslipofagirl,abouttenyearsold,withacataractofgoldenhairstreamingdownoverhershoulders,camealong.Aroundherheadsheworeahoopofflame-redpoppies.ItwasassweetanoutfitaseverIsaw,whattherewasofit.Shewalkedindolentlyalong,withamindatrest,itspeacereflectedinherinnocentface.Thecircusmanpaidnoattentiontoher;didn\'tevenseemtoseeher.Andshe——shewasnomorestartledathisfantasticmake-upthanifshewasusedtohislikeeverydayofherlife.Shewasgoingbyasindifferentlyasshemighthavegonebyacoupleofcows;butwhenshehappenedtonoticeme,THENtherewasachange!Upwentherhands,andshewasturnedtostone;hermouthdroppedopen,hereyesstaredwideandtimorously,shewasthepictureofastonishedcuriositytouchedwithfear.Andthereshestoodgazing,inasortofstupefiedfascination,tillweturnedacornerofthewoodandwerelosttoherview.Thatsheshouldbestartledatmeinsteadofattheotherman,wastoomanyforme;Icouldn\'tmakeheadortailofit.Andthatsheshouldseemtoconsidermeaspectacle,andtotallyoverlookherownmeritsinthatrespect,wasanotherpuzzlingthing,andadisplayofmagnanimity,too,thatwassurprisinginonesoyoung.Therewasfoodforthoughthere.Imovedalongasoneinadream.
Asweapproachedthetown,signsoflifebegantoappear.Atintervalswepassedawretchedcabin,withathatchedroof,andaboutitsmallfieldsandgardenpatchesinanindifferentstateofcultivation.Therewerepeople,too;brawnymen,withlong,coarse,uncombedhairthathungdownovertheirfacesandmadethemlooklikeanimals.Theyandthewomen,asarule,woreacoarsetow-linenrobethatcamewellbelowtheknee,andarudesortofsandal,andmanyworeanironcollar.Thesmallboysandgirlswerealwaysnaked;butnobodyseemedtoknowit.Allofthesepeoplestaredatme,talkedaboutme,ranintothehutsandfetchedouttheirfamiliestogapeatme;butnobodyevernoticedthatotherfellow,excepttomakehimhumblesalutationandgetnoresponsefortheirpains.
Inthetownweresomesubstantialwindowlesshousesofstonescatteredamongawildernessofthatchedcabins;thestreetsweremerecrookedalleys,andunpaved;troopsofdogsandnudechildrenplayedinthesunandmadelifeandnoise;hogsroamedandrootedcontentedlyabout,andoneofthemlayinareekingwallowinthemiddleofthemainthoroughfareandsuckledherfamily.Presentlytherewasadistantblareofmilitarymusic;itcamenearer,stillnearer,andsoonanoblecavalcadewoundintoview,gloriouswithplumedhelmetsandflashingmailandflauntingbannersandrichdoubletsandhorse-clothsandgildedspearheads;andthroughthemuckandswine,andnakedbrats,andjoyousdogs,andshabbyhuts,ittookitsgallantway,andinitswakewefollowed.
Followedthroughonewindingalleyandthenanother,——andclimbing,alwaysclimbing——tillatlastwegainedthebreezyheightwherethehugecastlestood.Therewasanexchangeofbugleblasts;thenaparleyfromthewalls,wheremen-at-arms,inhauberkandmorion,marchedbackandforthwithhalberdatshoulderunderflappingbannerswiththerudefigureofadragondisplayeduponthem;andthenthegreatgateswereflungopen,thedrawbridgewaslowered,andtheheadofthecavalcadesweptforwardunderthefrowningarches;andwe,following,soonfoundourselvesinagreatpavedcourt,withtowersandturretsstretchingupintotheblueaironallthefoursides;andallaboutus.thedismountwasgoingon,andmuchgreetingandceremony,andrunningtoandfro,andagaydisplayofmovingandinterminglingcolors,andanaltogetherpleasantstirandnoiseandconfusion.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter2Chapter2-KingArthur\'sCourtTHEmomentIgotachanceIslippedasideprivatelyandtouchedanancientcommonlookingmanontheshoulderandsaid,inaninsinuating,confidentialway:
\"Friend,domeakindness.Doyoubelongtotheasylum,orareyoujustonavisitorsomethinglikethat?\"
Helookedmeoverstupidly,andsaid:
\"Marry,fairsir,meseemeth——\"
\"Thatwilldo,\"Isaid;\"Ireckonyouareapatient.\"
Imovedaway,cogitating,andatthesametimekeepinganeyeoutforanychancepassengerinhisrightmindthatmightcomealongandgivemesomelight.IjudgedIhadfoundone,presently;soIdrewhimasideandsaidinhisear:
\"IfIcouldseetheheadkeeperaminute——onlyjustaminute——\"
\"Pritheedonotletme.\"
\"LetyouWHAT?\"
\"HINDERme,then,ifthewordpleasetheebetter.Thenhewentontosayhewasanunder-cookandcouldnotstoptogossip,thoughhewouldlikeitanothertime;foritwouldcomforthisverylivertoknowwhereIgotmyclothes.Ashestartedawayhepointedandsaidyonderwasonewhowasidleenoughformypurpose,andwasseekingmebesides,nodoubt.
Thiswasanairyslimboyinshrimp-coloredtightsthatmadehimlooklikeaforkedcarrot,therestofhisgearwasbluesilkanddaintylacesandruffles;andhehadlongyellowcurls,andworeaplumedpinksatincaptiltedcomplacentlyoverhisear.Byhislook,hewasgood-natured;byhisgait,hewassatisfiedwithhimself.Hewasprettyenoughtoframe.
Hearrived,lookedmeoverwithasmilingandimpudentcuriosity;saidhehadcomeforme,andinformedmethathewasapage.
\"Go\'long,\"Isaid;\"youain\'tmorethanaparagraph.\"
Itwasprettysevere,butIwasnettled.However,itneverphazedhim;
hedidn\'tappeartoknowhewashurt.Hebegantotalkandlaugh,inhappy,thoughtless,boyishfashion,aswewalkedalong,andmadehimselfoldfriendswithmeatonce;askedmeallsortsofquestionsaboutmyselfandaboutmyclothes,butneverwaitedforananswer——alwayschatteredstraightahead,asifhedidn\'tknowhehadaskedaquestionandwasn\'texpectinganyreply,untilatlasthehappenedtomentionthathewasborninthebeginningoftheyear513.
Itmadethecoldchillscreepoverme!Istoppedandsaid,alittlefaintly:
\"MaybeIdidn\'thearyoujustright.Sayitagain——andsayitslow.
Whatyearwasit?\"
\"513.\"
\"513!Youdon\'tlookit!Come,myboy,Iamastrangerandfriendless;
behonestandhonorablewithme.Areyouinyourrightmind?\"
Hesaidhewas.
\"Aretheseotherpeopleintheirrightminds?\"
Hesaidtheywere.
\"Andthisisn\'tanasylum?Imean,itisn\'taplacewheretheycurecrazypeople?\"
Hesaiditwasn\'t.
\"Well,then,\"Isaid,\"eitherIamalunatic,orsomethingjustasawfulhashappened.Nowtellme,honestandtrue,whereamI?\"
\"INKINGARTHUR\'SCOURT.\"
Iwaitedaminute,toletthatideashudderitswayhome,andthensaid:
\"Andaccordingtoyournotions,whatyearisitnow?\"
\"528——nineteenthofJune.\"
Ifeltamournfulsinkingattheheart,andmuttered:\"Ishallneverseemyfriendsagain——never,neveragain.Theywillnotbebornformorethanthirteenhundredyearsyet.\"
Iseemedtobelievetheboy,Ididn\'tknowwhy.SOMETHINGinmeseemedtobelievehim——myconsciousness,asyoumaysay;butmyreasondidn\'t.
Myreasonstraightwaybegantoclamor;thatwasnatural.Ididn\'tknowhowtogoaboutsatisfyingit,becauseIknewthatthetestimonyofmenwouldn\'tserve——myreasonwouldsaytheywerelunatics,andthrowouttheirevidence.ButallofasuddenIstumbledontheverything,justbyluck.Iknewthattheonlytotaleclipseofthesuninthefirsthalfofthesixthcenturyoccurredonthe21stofJune,A.D.528,O.S.,andbeganat3minutesafter12noon.IalsoknewthatnototaleclipseofthesunwasdueinwhattoMEwasthepresentyear——i.e.,1879.So,ifIcouldkeepmyanxietyandcuriosityfromeatingtheheartoutofmeforforty-eighthours,Ishouldthenfindoutforcertainwhetherthisboywastellingmethetruthornot.
Wherefore,beingapracticalConnecticutman,Inowshovedthiswholeproblemclearoutofmymindtillitsappointeddayandhourshouldcome,inorderthatImightturnallmyattentiontothecircumstancesofthepresentmoment,andbealertandreadytomakethemostoutofthemthatcouldbemade.Onethingatatime,ismymotto——andjustplaythatthingforallitisworth,evenifit\'sonlytwopairandajack.Imadeupmymindtotwothings:ifitwasstillthenineteenthcenturyandIwasamonglunaticsandcouldn\'tgetaway,Iwouldpresentlybossthatasylumorknowthereasonwhy;andif,ontheotherhand,itwasreallythesixthcentury,allright,Ididn\'twantanysofterthing:Iwouldbossthewholecountryinsideofthreemonths;forIjudgedIwouldhavethestartofthebest-educatedmaninthekingdombyamatterofthirteenhundredyearsandupward.I\'mnotamantowastetimeaftermymind\'smadeupandthere\'sworkonhand;
soIsaidtothepage:
\"Now,Clarence,myboy——ifthatmighthappentobeyourname——I\'llgetyoutopostmeupalittleifyoudon\'tmind.Whatisthenameofthatapparitionthatbroughtmehere?\"
\"Mymasterandthine?ThatisthegoodknightandgreatlordSirKaytheSeneschal,fosterbrothertoourliegetheking.\"
\"Verygood;goon,tellmeeverything.\"
Hemadealongstoryofit;butthepartthathadimmediateinterestformewasthis:HesaidIwasSirKay\'sprisoner,andthatintheduecourseofcustomIwouldbeflungintoadungeonandleftthereonscantcommonsuntilmyfriendsransomedme——unlessIchancedtorot,first.
Isawthatthelastchancehadthebestshow,butIdidn\'twasteanybotheraboutthat;timewastooprecious.Thepagesaid,further,thatdinnerwasaboutendedinthegreathallbythistime,andthatassoonasthesociabilityandtheheavydrinkingshouldbegin,SirKaywouldhavemeinandexhibitmebeforeKingArthurandhisillustriousknightsseatedattheTableRound,andwouldbragabouthisexploitincapturingme,andwouldprobablyexaggeratethefactsalittle,butitwouldn\'tbegoodformformetocorrecthim,andnotoversafe,either;andwhenIwasdonebeingexhibited,thenhoforthedungeon;buthe,Clarence,wouldfindawaytocomeandseemeeverynowandthen,andcheermeup,andhelpmegetwordtomyfriends.
Getwordtomyfriends!Ithankedhim;Icouldn\'tdoless;andaboutthistimealackeycametosayIwaswanted;soClarenceledmeinandtookmeofftoonesideandsatdownbyme.
Well,itwasacuriouskindofspectacle,andinteresting.Itwasanimmenseplace,andrathernaked——yes,andfullofloudcontrasts.Itwasvery,verylofty;soloftythatthebannersdependingfromthearchedbeamsandgirdersawayuptherefloatedinasortoftwilight;therewasastone-railedgalleryateachend,highup,withmusiciansintheone,andwomen,clothedinstunningcolors,intheother.Thefloorwasofbigstoneflagslaidinblackandwhitesquares,ratherbatteredbyageanduse,andneedingrepair.Astoornament,therewasn\'tany,strictlyspeaking;
thoughonthewallshungsomehugetapestrieswhichwereprobablytaxedasworksofart;battle-pieces,theywere,withhorsesshapedlikethosewhichchildrencutoutofpaperorcreateingingerbread;withmenontheminscalearmorwhosescalesarerepresentedbyroundholes——sothattheman\'scoatlooksasifithadbeendonewithabiscuit-punch.Therewasafireplacebigenoughtocampin;anditsprojectingsidesandhood,ofcarvedandpillaredstonework,hadthelookofacathedraldoor.Alongthewallsstoodmen-at-arms,inbreastplateandmorion,withhalberdsfortheironlyweapon——rigidasstatues;andthatiswhattheylookedlike.
InthemiddleofthisgroinedandvaultedpublicsquarewasanoakentablewhichtheycalledtheTableRound.Itwasaslargeasacircusring;
andarounditsatagreatcompanyofmendressedinsuchvariousandsplendidcolorsthatithurtone\'seyestolookatthem.Theyworetheirplumedhats,rightalong,exceptthatwheneveroneaddressedhimselfdirectlytotheking,heliftedhishatatriflejustashewasbeginninghisremark.
Mainlytheyweredrinking——fromentireoxhorns;butafewwerestillmunchingbreadorgnawingbeefbones.Therewasaboutanaverageoftwodogstooneman;andthesesatinexpectantattitudestillaspentbonewasflungtothem,andthentheywentforitbybrigadesanddivisions,witharush,andthereensuedafightwhichfilledtheprospectwithatumultuouschaosofplungingheadsandbodiesandflashingtails,andthestormofhowlingsandbarkingsdeafenedallspeechforthetime;butthatwasnomatter,forthedog-fightwasalwaysabiggerinterestanyway;themenrose,sometimes,toobserveitthebetterandbetonit,andtheladiesandthemusiciansstretchedthemselvesoutovertheirbalusterswiththesameobject;andallbrokeintodelightedejaculationsfromtimetotime.
Intheend,thewinningdogstretchedhimselfoutcomfortablywithhisbonebetweenhispaws,andproceededtogrowloverit,andgnawit,andgreasethefloorwithit,justasfiftyotherswerealreadydoing;andtherestofthecourtresumedtheirpreviousindustriesandentertainments.
Asarule,thespeechandbehaviorofthesepeopleweregraciousandcourtly;andInoticedthattheyweregoodandseriouslistenerswhenanybodywastellinganything——Imeaninadog-fightlessinterval.Andplainly,too,theywereachildlikeandinnocentlot;tellingliesofthestateliestpatternwithamostgentleandwinningnaivety,andreadyandwillingtolistentoanybodyelse\'slie,andbelieveit,too.Itwashardtoassociatethemwithanythingcruelordreadful;andyettheydealtintalesofbloodandsufferingwithaguilelessrelishthatmademealmostforgettoshudder.
Iwasnottheonlyprisonerpresent.Thereweretwentyormore.Poordevils,manyofthemweremaimed,hacked,carved,inafrightfulway;andtheirhair,theirfaces,theirclothing,werecakedwithblackandstiffeneddrenchingsofblood.Theyweresufferingsharpphysicalpain,ofcourse;
andweariness,andhungerandthirst,nodoubt;andatleastnonehadgiventhemthecomfortofawash,oreventhepoorcharityofalotionfortheirwounds;yetyouneverheardthemutteramoanoragroan,orsawthemshowanysignofrestlessness,oranydispositiontocomplain.Thethoughtwasforceduponme:\"Therascals——THEYhaveservedotherpeoplesointheirday;itbeingtheirownturn,now,theywerenotexpectinganybettertreatmentthanthis;sotheirphilosophicalbearingisnotanoutcomeofmentaltraining,intellectualfortitude,reasoning;itismereanimaltraining;theyarewhiteIndians.\"
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter3Chapter3-KnightsoftheTableRoundMAINLYtheRoundTabletalkwasmonologues——narrativeaccountsoftheadventuresinwhichtheseprisonerswerecapturedandtheirfriendsandbackerskilledandstrippedoftheirsteedsandarmor.Asageneralthing——asfarasIcouldmakeout——thesemurderousadventureswerenotforaysundertakentoavengeinjuries,nortosettleolddisputesorsuddenfallingsout;no,asaruletheyweresimplyduelsbetweenstrangers——duelsbetweenpeoplewhohadneverevenbeenintroducedtoeachother,andbetweenwhomexistednocauseofoffensewhatever.ManyatimeIhadseenacoupleofboys,strangers,meetbychance,andsaysimultaneously,\"Icanlickyou,\"
andgoatitonthespot;butIhadalwaysimagineduntilnowthatthatsortofthingbelongedtochildrenonly,andwasasignandmarkofchildhood;
butherewerethesebigboobiesstickingtoitandtakingprideinitclearupintofullageandbeyond.Yettherewassomethingveryengagingaboutthesegreatsimple-heartedcreatures,somethingattractiveandlovable.
Theredidnotseemtobebrainsenoughintheentirenursery,sotospeak,tobaitafish-hookwith;butyoudidn\'tseemtomindthat,afteralittle,becauseyousoonsawthatbrainswerenotneededinasocietylikethat,andindeedwouldhavemarredit,hinderedit,spoileditssymmetry——perhapsrendereditsexistenceimpossible.
Therewasafinemanlinessobservableinalmosteveryface;andinsomeacertainloftinessandsweetnessthatrebukedyourbelittlingcriticismsandstilledthem.AmostnoblebenignityandpurityreposedinthecountenanceofhimtheycalledSirGalahad,andlikewiseintheking\'salso;andtherewasmajestyandgreatnessinthegiantframeandhighbearingofSirLauncelotoftheLake.
TherewaspresentlyanincidentwhichcenteredthegeneralinterestuponthisSirLauncelot.Atasignfromasortofmasterofceremonies,sixoreightoftheprisonersroseandcameforwardinabodyandkneltonthefloorandlifteduptheirhandstowardtheladies\'galleryandbeggedthegraceofawordwiththequeen.Themostconspicuouslysituatedladyinthatmassedflower-bedoffeminineshowandfineryinclinedherheadbywayofassent,andthenthespokesmanoftheprisonersdeliveredhimselfandhisfellowsintoherhandsforfreepardon,ransom,captivity,ordeath,assheinhergoodpleasuremightelect;andthis,ashesaid,hewasdoingbycommandofSirKaytheSeneschal,whoseprisonerstheywere,hehavingvanquishedthembyhissinglemightandprowessinsturdyconflictinthefield.
Surpriseandastonishmentflashedfromfacetofacealloverthehouse;
thequeen\'sgratifiedsmilefadedoutatthenameofSirKay,andshelookeddisappointed;andthepagewhisperedinmyearwithanaccentandmannerexpressiveofextravagantderision——
\"SirKAY,forsooth!Oh,callmepetnames,dearest,callmeamarine!
Intwiceathousandyearsshalltheunholyinventionofmanlaboratoddstobegetthefellowtothismajesticlie!\"
EveryeyewasfastenedwithsevereinquiryuponSirKay.Buthewasequaltotheoccasion.Hegotupandplayedhishandlikeamajor——andtookeverytrick.Hesaidhewouldstatethecaseexactlyaccordingtothefacts;hewouldtellthesimplestraightforwardtale,withoutcommentofhisown;\"andthen,\"saidhe,\"ifyefindgloryandhonordue,yewillgiveituntohimwhoisthemightiestmanofhishandsthateverbareshieldorstrakewithswordintheranksofChristianbattle——evenhimthatsitteththere!\"andhepointedtoSirLauncelot.Ah,hefetchedthem;itwasarattlinggoodstroke.ThenhewentonandtoldhowSirLauncelot,seekingadventures,somebrieftimegoneby,killedsevengiantsatonesweepofhissword,andsetahundredandforty-twocaptivemaidensfree;
andthenwentfurther,stillseekingadventures,andfoundhim(SirKay)
fightingadesperatefightagainstnineforeignknights,andstraightwaytookthebattlesolelyintohisownhands,andconqueredthenine;andthatnightSirLauncelotrosequietly,anddressedhiminSirKay\'sarmorandtookSirKay\'shorseandgathimawayintodistantlands,andvanquishedsixteenknightsinonepitchedbattleandthirty-fourinanother;andalltheseandtheformerninehemadetoswearthataboutWhitsuntidetheywouldridetoArthur\'scourtandyieldthemtoQueenGuenever\'shandsascaptivesofSirKaytheSeneschal,spoilofhisknightlyprowess;andnowherewerethesehalfdozen,andtherestwouldbealongassoonastheymightbehealedoftheirdesperatewounds.
Well,itwastouchingtoseethequeenblushandsmile,andlookembarrassedandhappy,andflingfurtiveglancesatSirLauncelotthatwouldhavegothimshotinArkansas,toadeadcertainty.
EverybodypraisedthevalorandmagnanimityofSirLauncelot;andasforme,Iwasperfectlyamazed,thatoneman,allbyhimself,shouldhavebeenabletobeatdownandcapturesuchbattalionsofpracticedfighters.
IsaidasmuchtoClarence;butthismockingfeatherheadonlysaid:
\"AnSirKayhadhadtimetogetanotherskinofsourwineintohim,yehadseentheaccomptdoubled.\"
Ilookedattheboyinsorrow;andasIlookedIsawthecloudofadeepdespondencysettleuponhiscountenance.Ifollowedthedirectionofhiseye,andsawthataveryoldandwhite-beardedman,clothedinaflowingblackgown,hadrisenandwasstandingatthetableuponunsteadylegs,andfeeblyswayinghisancientheadandsurveyingthecompanywithhiswateryandwanderingeye.Thesamesufferinglookthatwasinthepage\'sfacewasobservableinallthefacesaround——thelookofdumbcreatureswhoknowthattheymustendureandmakenomoan.
\"Marry,weshallhaveitaagain,\"sighedtheboy;\"thatsameoldwearytalethathehathtoldathousandtimesinthesamewords,andthatheWILLtelltillhedieth,everytimehehathgottenhisbarrelfullandfeelethhisexaggeration-milla-working.WouldGodIhaddiedorIsawthisday!\"
\"Whoisit?\"
\"Merlin,themightyliarandmagician,perditionsingehimforthewearinessheworkethwithhisonetale!Butthatmenfearhimforthathehaththestormsandthelightningsandallthedevilsthatbeinhellathisbeckandcall,theywouldhavedughisentrailsoutthesemanyyearsagotogetatthattaleandsquelchit.Hetellethitalwaysinthethirdperson,makingbelieveheistoomodesttoglorifyhimself——maledictionslightuponhim,misfortunebehisdole!Goodfriend,pritheecallmeforevensong.\"
Theboynestledhimselfuponmyshoulderandpretendedtogotosleep.
Theoldmanbeganhistale;andpresentlytheladwasasleepinreality;
soalsowerethedogs,andthecourt,thelackeys,andthefilesofmen-at-arms.
Thedroningvoicedronedon;asoftsnoringaroseonallsidesandsupporteditlikeadeepandsubduedaccompanimentofwindinstruments.Someheadswereboweduponfoldedarms,somelaybackwithopenmouthsthatissuedunconsciousmusic;thefliesbuzzedandbit,unmolested,theratsswarmedsoftlyoutfromahundredholes,andpatteredabout,andmadethemselvesathomeeverywhere;andoneofthemsatuplikeasquirrelontheking\'sheadandheldabitofcheeseinitshandsandnibbledit,anddribbledthecrumbsintheking\'sfacewithnaiveandimpudentirreverence.Itwasatranquilscene,andrestfultothewearyeyeandthejadedspirit.
Thiswastheoldman\'stale.Hesaid:
\"RightsothekingandMerlindeparted,andwentuntilanhermitthatwasagoodmanandagreatleech.Sothehermitsearchedallhiswoundsandgavehimgoodsalves;sothekingwastherethreedays,andthenwerehiswoundswellamendedthathemightrideandgo,andsodeparted.Andastheyrode,Arthursaid,Ihavenosword.Noforce*,saidMerlin,herebyisa[*FootnotefromM.T.:Nomatter.]swordthatshallbeyoursandI
may.Sotheyrodetilltheycametoalake,thewhichwasafairwaterandbroad,andinthemidstofthelakeArthurwaswareofanarmclothedinwhitesamite,thatheldafairswordinthathand.Lo,saidMerlin,yonderisthatswordthatIspakeof.Withthattheysawadamselgoinguponthelake.Whatdamselisthat?saidArthur.ThatistheLadyofthelake,saidMerlin;andwithinthatlakeisarock,andthereinisasfairaplaceasanyonearth,andrichlybeseen,andthisdamselwillcometoyouanon,andthenspeakyefairtoherthatshewillgiveyouthatsword.
AnonwithalcamethedamseluntoArthurandsalutedhim,andheheragain.
Damsel,saidArthur,whatswordisthat,thatyonderthearmholdethabovethewater?Iwoulditweremine,forIhavenosword.SirArthurKing,saidthedamsel,thatswordismine,andifyewillgivemeagiftwhenIaskityou,yeshallhaveit.Bymyfaith,saidArthur,Iwillgiveyouwhatgiftyewillask.Well,saidthedamsel,goyeintoyonderbargeandrowyourselftothesword,andtakeitandthescabbardwithyou,andI
willaskmygiftwhenIseemytime.SoSirArthurandMerlinalight,andtiedtheirhorsestotwotrees,andsotheywentintotheship,andwhentheycametotheswordthatthehandheld,SirArthurtookitupbythehandles,andtookitwithhim.Andthearmandthehandwentunderthewater;andsotheycameuntothelandandrodeforth.AndthenSirArthursawarichpavilion.Whatsignifiethyonderpavilion?Itistheknight\'spavilion,saidMerlin,thatyefoughtwithlast,SirPellinore,butheisout,heisnotthere;hehathadowithaknightofyours,thathightEgglame,andtheyhavefoughttogether,butatthelastEgglamefled,andelsehehadbeendead,andhehathchasedhimeventoCarlion,andweshallmeetwithhimanoninthehighway.Thatiswellsaid,saidArthur,nowhaveIasword,nowwillIwagebattlewithhim,andbeavengedonhim.
Sir,yeshallnotso,saidMerlin,fortheknightiswearyoffightingandchasing,sothatyeshallhavenoworshiptohaveadowithhim;also,hewillnotlightlybematchedofoneknightliving;andthereforeitismycounsel,lethimpass,forheshalldoyougoodserviceinshorttime,andhissons,afterhisdays.Alsoyeshallseethatdayinshortspaceyeshallberightgladtogivehimyoursistertowed.WhenIseehim,Iwilldoasyeadviseme,saidArthur.ThenSirArthurlookedonthesword,andlikeditpassingwell.Whetherlikethyoubetter,saidMerlin,theswordorthescabbard?Melikethbetterthesword,saidArthur.Yearemoreunwise,saidMerlin,forthescabbardisworthtenofthesword,forwhileyehavethescabbarduponyouyeshallneverlosenoblood,beyeneversosorewounded;therefore,keepwellthescabbardalwayswithyou.
SotheyrodeintoCarlion,andbythewaytheymetwithSirPellinore;
butMerlinhaddonesuchacraftthatPellinoresawnotArthur,andhepassedbywithoutanywords.Imarvel,saidArthur,thattheknightwouldnotspeak.Sir,saidMerlin,hesawyounot;forandhehadseenyouyehadnotlightlydeparted.SotheycameuntoCarlion,whereofhisknightswerepassingglad.Andwhentheyheardofhisadventurestheymarveledthathewouldjeopardhispersonsoalone.Butallmenofworshipsaiditwasmerrytobeundersuchachieftainthatwouldputhispersoninadventureasotherpoorknightsdid.\"
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter4Chapter4-SirDinadantheHumoristITseemedtomethatthisquaintliewasmostsimplyandbeautifullytold;
butthenIhadhearditonlyonce,andthatmakesadifference;itwaspleasanttotheotherswhenitwasfresh,nodoubt.
SirDinadantheHumoristwasthefirsttoawake,andhesoonrousedtherestwithapracticaljokeofasufficientlypoorquality.Hetiedsomemetalmugstoadog\'stailandturnedhimloose,andhetorearoundandaroundtheplaceinafrenzyoffright,withalltheotherdogsbellowingafterhimandbatteringandcrashingagainsteverythingthatcameintheirwayandmakingaltogetherachaosofconfusionandamostdeafeningdinandturmoil;atwhicheverymanandwomanofthemultitudelaughedtillthetearsflowed,andsomefelloutoftheirchairsandwallowedonthefloorinecstasy.Itwasjustlikesomanychildren.SirDinadanwassoproudofhisexploitthathecouldnotkeepfromtellingoverandoveragain,toweariness,howtheimmortalideahappenedtooccurtohim;andasisthewaywithhumoristsofhisbreed,hewasstilllaughingatitaftereverybodyelsehadgotthrough.Hewassosetupthatheconcludedtomakeaspeech——ofcourseahumorousspeech.IthinkIneverheardsomanyoldplayed-outjokesstrungtogetherinmylife.Hewasworsethantheminstrels,worsethantheclowninthecircus.Itseemedpeculiarlysadtosithere,thirteenhundredyearsbeforeIwasborn,andlistenagaintopoor,flat,worm-eatenjokesthathadgivenmethedrygripeswhenI
wasaboythirteenhundredyearsafterwards.Itaboutconvincedmethatthereisn\'tanysuchthingasanewjokepossible.Everybodylaughedattheseantiquities——butthentheyalwaysdo;Ihadnoticedthat,centurieslater.However,ofcoursethescofferdidn\'tlaugh——Imeantheboy.No,hescoffed;therewasn\'tanythinghewouldn\'tscoffat.HesaidthemostofSirDinadan\'sjokeswererottenandtherestwerepetrified.Isaid\"petrified\"wasgood;asIbelieved,myself,thattheonlyrightwaytoclassifythemajesticagesofsomeofthosejokeswasbygeologicperiods.
Butthatneatideahittheboyinablankplace,forgeologyhadn\'tbeeninventedyet.However,Imadeanoteoftheremark,andcalculatedtoeducatethecommonwealthuptoitifIpulledthrough.Itisnousetothrowagoodthingawaymerelybecausethemarketisn\'tripeyet.
NowSirKayaroseandbegantofireuponhishistory-millwithmeforfuel.Itwastimeformetofeelserious,andIdid.SirKaytoldhowhehadencounteredmeinafarlandofbarbarians,whoallworethesameridiculousgarbthatIdid——agarbthatwasaworkofenchantment,andintendedtomakethewearersecurefromhurtbyhumanhands.Howeverhehadnullifiedtheforceoftheenchantmentbyprayer,andhadkilledmythirteenknightsinathreehours\'battle,andtakenmeprisoner,sparingmylifeinorderthatsostrangeacuriosityasIwasmightbeexhibitedtothewonderandadmirationofthekingandthecourt.Hespokeofmeallthetime,intheblandestway,as\"thisprodigiousgiant,\"and\"thishorriblesky-toweringmonster,\"and\"thistuskedandtalonedman-devouringogre\",andeverybodytookinallthisboshinthenaivestway,andneversmiledorseemedtonoticethattherewasanydiscrepancybetweenthesewateredstatisticsandme.HesaidthatintryingtoescapefromhimIsprangintothetopofatreetwohundredcubitshighatasinglebound,buthedislodgedmewithastonethesizeofacow,which\"all-tobrast\"themostofmybones,andthensworemetoappearatArthur\'scourtforsentence.Heendedbycondemningmetodieatnoononthe21st;andwassolittleconcernedaboutitthathestoppedtoyawnbeforehenamedthedate.
Iwasinadismalstatebythistime;indeed,IwashardlyenoughinmyrightmindtokeeptherunofadisputethatsprungupastohowIhadbetterbekilled,thepossibilityofthekillingbeingdoubtedbysome,becauseoftheenchantmentinmyclothes.Andyetitwasnothingbutanordinarysuitoffifteen-dollarslopshops.Still,Iwassaneenoughtonoticethisdetail,towit:manyofthetermsusedinthemostmatter-offactwaybythisgreatassemblageofthefirstladiesandgentlemeninthelandwouldhavemadeaComancheblush.Indelicacyistoomildatermtoconveytheidea.However,Ihadread\"TomJones,\"and\"RoderickRandom,\"andotherbooksofthatkind,andknewthatthehighestandfirstladiesandgentlemeninEnglandhadremainedlittleornocleanerintheirtalk,andinthemoralsandconductwhichsuchtalkimplies,clearuptoahundredyearsago;infactclearintoourownnineteenthcentury——inwhichcentury,broadlyspeaking,theearliestsamplesoftherealladyandrealgentlemandiscoverableinEnglishhistory——orinEuropeanhistory,forthatmatter——maybesaidtohavemadetheirappearance.SupposeSirWalter,insteadofputtingtheconversationsintothemouthsofhischaracters,hadallowedthecharacterstospeakforthemselves?WeshouldhavehadtalkfromRebeccaandIvanhoeandthesoftladyRowenawhichwouldembarrassatrampinourday.However,totheunconsciouslyindelicateallthingsaredelicate.
KingArthur\'speoplewerenotawarethattheywereindecentandIhadpresenceofmindenoughnottomentionit.
Theyweresotroubledaboutmyenchantedclothesthattheyweremightilyrelieved,atlast,whenoldMerlinsweptthedifficultyawayforthemwithacommon-sensehint.Heaskedthemwhytheyweresodull——whydidn\'titoccurtothemtostripme.InhalfaminuteIwasasnakedasapairoftongs!Anddear,dear,tothinkofit:Iwastheonlyembarrassedpersonthere.Everybodydiscussedme;anddiditasunconcernedlyasifIhadbeenacabbage.QueenGueneverwasasnaivelyinterestedastherest,andsaidshehadneverseenanybodywithlegsjustlikeminebefore.ItwastheonlycomplimentIgot——ifitwasacompliment.
FinallyIwascarriedoffinonedirection,andmyperilousclothesinanother.Iwasshovedintoadarkandnarrowcellinadungeon,withsomescantremnantsfordinner,somemoldystrawforabed,andnoendofratsforcompany.
AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur\'sCourt-Chapter5Chapter5-AnInspirationIWASsotiredthatevenmyfearswerenotabletokeepmeawakelong.
WhenInextcametomyself,Iseemedtohavebeenasleepaverylongtime.Myfirstthoughtwas,\"Well,whatanastonishingdreamI\'vehad!
IreckonI\'vewakedonlyjustintimetokeepfrombeinghangedordrownedorburnedorsomethingI\'llnapagaintillthewhistleblows,andthenI\'llgodowntothearmsfactoryandhaveitoutwithHercules.\"
ButjustthenIheardtheharshmusicofrustychainsandbolts,alightflashedinmyeyes,andthatbutterfly,Clarence,stoodbeforeme!Igaspedwithsurprise;mybreathalmostgotawayfromme.
\"What!\"Isaid,\"youhereyet?Goalongwiththerestofthedream!
scatter!\"
Butheonlylaughed,inhislight-heartedway,andfelltomakingfunofmysorryplight.
\"Allright,\"Isaidresignedly,\"letthedreamgoon;I\'minnohurry.\"
\"Pritheewhatdream?\"
\"Whatdream?Why,thedreamthatIaminArthur\'scourt——apersonwhoneverexisted;andthatIamtalkingtoyou,whoarenothingbutaworkoftheimagination.\"
\"Oh,la,indeed!andisitadreamthatyou\'retobeburnedto-morrow?
