From the first day when Allan began to understand the tales of chivalry3 and knightly4 deeds, he fancied and longed for the day when he would grow into manhood and by the same token into knighthood. Then would he go unto King Arthur on some Pentecost and crave5 the boon6 of serving him. Mayhap, too, he would through brave and worthy7 deeds gain seat among those of the Round Table. So he would dream, this youth with eager eyes, and his father, Sir Gaunt, soon came to know of his son's fancies and was overly proud and pleased with them. For he himself had, in his days, been a great and worthy knight1, of many adventures and victor of many an onslaught. It pleased him that son of his would follow in his footsteps.
When Allan was fourteen, Sir Gaunt proceeded to Sir Percival who was great friend of his and bespoke8 for his son the place of page. And so to please Sir Gaunt and for friendship's sake, Sir Percival gave ready consent. Therewith, he found the youth pleasing to the eye and of a great willingness to serve.
So must we return to Allan who is now on his way for many an hour. As he made his way, he marveled that he should have had notice brought upon himself, for he was young and diffident and should by every token have escaped attention in these his first days at court. How would his heart have grown tumultuous had he known that none other than Arthur himself had made him choice. But that he was not to know for many a year.
Night came on and the boy traveled far. Yet gave he no thought to rest for he knew that he could ill afford to tarry and that only with the best of fortune could he overtake the two knights in time to make early return. About him the woods were dark and mysterious. Owls10 hooted11 now and then and other sounds of the night there were, yet was the boy so filled with urge of his mission that he found not time to think of ghosts nor black magic.
Then, as he turned the road he saw the dim shadow of a horse. Ghostly it seemed, until through closer view it proved flesh and blood. Lying close by was a knight who seemed exceeding weak and sorely wounded.
Quick from his horse came Allan and so made the strange knight be of greater comfort.
"Grievously have I been dealt with by an outlaw12 band. This day was I to meet my two brothers Sir Ronald and Sir Marvin yet cannot proceed for very weakness. Which way do you go, lad?"
"I keep on my way to Cornwall," replied Allan.
"From yonder do my brothers journey and should you meet with them bid them hasten here so that together we can go forth13 to find this outlaw band and it chastise14."
"That shall I do. Sir Knight. It grieves me that I may not stay and give you such aid as I may but so must I hasten that I cannot. Yet shall I stop at first abode15 and commission them to hurry here to you."
"For that I thank you, lad. And should time ever come when you my aid require, know then to call on Philip of Gile."
So Allan pressed forward. At early dawn he came upon Sir Ronald and Sir Marvin who had found rest along the wayside. And when he found that these were the two knights he gave them their brother's message.
"Then must we hasten thence, Ronald. And thank you, lad, for bringing us this message. Choose you and you can rest awhile and partake of such food that we have."
"Of food I will have, Sir Knights, for hunger calls most urgently. But tarry I cannot for I must find Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Mayhap you have met with them?"
"Of a truth can we say that we have met with them and suffered thereby16. Yet do we hold proof as to their knightly valor17 and skill. They have gone but a little way, for it was their purpose to find rest nearby. We doubt not you will find them at the first fair abode. In the meantime must we hasten to our brother's aid and leave our wounded comrades to such care as they may get."
The knights spoke truly, for Allan found upon inquiry18 that the two he sought were lodged19 close by. Boldly the boy called, now for Sir Launcelot, now for Sir Gawaine, but both were overtired and of a great weariness and it took many minutes before at last Sir Launcelot opened wide his eyes.
"And who are you, boy?" for he knew him not.
"My name is Allan and I am page to Sir Percival."
"Come you with a message from Sir Percival? Does he need our help?"
"Nay20, sir. Rather do I come with a message from the court--the herald21 of which sent me urging you and Sir Gawaine to return before sundown for a great conclave22 is to gather which the King himself has called."
"Awaken23 then, thou sleepy knight," Sir Launcelot called to his comrade who had not stirred. "It were pity that all this must be told to you again."
Sir Gawaine now arose rubbing eyes still filled with sleep. To him Allan repeated his message.
"What say you, Gawaine? Shall we return?"
"As for me," replied Sir Gawaine, "I would say no. What matter if we are or are not present. Already we are late for our present journey's purpose. So say I, let us not return but rather ask this youth to bespeak24 for us the king's clemency25."
"And I, too, am of the same mind, Gawaine. So lad," Sir Launcelot turned to the boy and spoke kindly26, "return you to court and give them our message. This errand on which we are at present bound holds urgent need, else would we return at our King's behest."
Rueful and with a great gloom Allan saw his errand fail.
"Kind sirs, Sir Percival bid me bespeak for him as well, and ask you, as true comrades, to make certain to return. Furthermore, my knights, this, my first mission would be unfortunate if it did not terminate successfully. So I pray you that you return."
Loud and long Sir Launcelot laughed and yet not unkindly while Sir Gawaine placed hand upon the boy's shoulder approvingly.
"By my faith, Launcelot, we can do no more than return. That Percival speaks counts for much, but this youth's honor is also at stake." The light of laughter played in the speaker's eyes.
"Yes," said Sir Launcelot, "let us return. It would be pity to send this lad back after his long journey, without success. So then to our horses and let us make haste. The hours are few and the miles many."
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1
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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3
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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7
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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8
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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9
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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13
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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14
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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15
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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19
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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21
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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22
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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23
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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24
bespeak
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| v.预定；预先请求 | |
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25
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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