The Once and Future King

только после того начались лекции второй разновидности.

Выглядели они так:

A. Мы гораздо многочисленнее их, а потому имеем право на их кисель.

Б. Они гораздо многочисленнее нас, а потому норовят бесстыдно украсть наш кисель.

B. Мы — могучая раса, а потому обладаем естественным правом поработить их жалкую расу.

Г. Они — могучая раса, и вопреки естеству норовят поработить нашу безобидную расу.

Д. Мы должны напасть на них ради самообороны.

Е. Обороняя себя, они нападают на нас.

Ж. Если сегодня мы на них не нападем, они нападут на нас завтра.

3. В любом случае мы вовсе не нападаем на них. Мы несем им неисчислимые блага.

One explanation for Guenever, for what it is worth, is that she was what they used to call a ‘real’ person. She was not the kind who can be fitted away safely under some label or other, as ‘loyal’ or ‘disloyal’ or ‘self-sacrificing’ or ‘jealous’. Sometimes she was loyal and sometimes she was disloyal. She behaved like herself. And there must have been something in this self, some sincerity of heart, or she would not have held two people like Arthur and Lancelot. Like likes like, they say — and at least they are certain that her men were generous. She must have been generous too. It is difficult to write about a real person.

“If I were to be made a knight” said the Wart, staring dreamily into the fire, ” I should pray to God to let me encounter all the evil in the world in my own person, so that if I conquered there should be none left , while if I were defeated, it would be I who would suffer for it.”
“That would be extremely presumptuous of you,” said Merlyn, “and you would be conquered, and you would suffer for it.”
“I shouldn’t mind.”
“Wouldn’t you? Wait till it happens and see.”
“Why do people not think, when they are grown up, as I do when I am young?”
“Oh dear,” said Merlyn. “You are making me feel confused. Suppose you wait until you are grown up and know the reason?”
“I don’t think that is an answer at all,” replied the Wart, pretty justly.
“Well anyway, suppose they didn’t let you stand against all the evil in the world?”
“I could ask,” said the Wart.
“You could ask,” repeated Merlyn.

"Are you frightened of Sk Mordred, Agnes?"
"Yes, madam, that I am."
"So am I. He walks about so softly lately, and... looks at people in a queer way. And then there are all these speeches about Gaels and Saxons and Jews, and all the shouting and hysterics. I heard him laughing last week, by himself. It was horrible."
"He is a sly one. Maybe he is listening now."
"Agnes!"
Guenever dropped her needle as if she had been struck.
"Oh, come now, madam: you must not take on. I was only having my joke."
But the Queen remained frozen.
"Go to the door. I believe you are right"
"Oh, madam, I couldn't do that."
"Open it at once, Agnes."
"Madam, but suppose he is there!"
She had caught the feeling. The hopeless rushlights were not enough. He might have been in the room itself, in a dark corner. She rose in a flutter, like a partridge while the hawk is over, and plucked at her skirt. For both women the castle was suddenly too dark, too empty, too lonely, too northerly, too full of night and winter.
"If you open it, he will go away."
"But we must give him time to go away."
They strove with their voices, feeling thelmselves to be under a black wing.
"Stand near it and speak loudly then, before you open."
"Madam, what shall I say?"
"Say 'Shall I open the door?' Then I will say, "Yes, I think it is time to go to bed."
"I think it is time to go to bed."
"Go on."
"Very good, madam. Shall I begin?"
"Begin, yes, quickly."
"I don't know as I can do it." '
"Oh, Agnes, please be quick!"
"Very well, madam. I think I can do it now."
Facing the door as if it might attack her, Agnes addressed it at the top of her voice.
"I am going to open the door!"
"It is time to go to bed!"
Nothing happened..
"Now open it," said the Queen.
She lifted the latch and threw it open, and there was Mordred smiling in the frame.
"Good evening, Agnes."
"Oh, sir!"