Английские легенды / English Legends

When they reached Rome and informed Maxen Wledig of the success of their mission he at once gathered his army and marched across Europe towards Britain. He conquered Britain and eventually reached the fair country of Snowdon. He entered the castle and saw, at last, with his own eyes first the two youths, Kynon[17 - Kynon – Кинон] and Adeon[18 - Adeon – Адеон], playing chess, then their father, Eudav[19 - Eudav – Юдав], the son of Caradoc[20 - Caradoc – Карадок], and then his beloved, beautiful Helena, daughter of Eudav.

“Empress of Rome, all hail!” Maxen Wledig said; and the princess bent forward in her chair and kissed him, for she knew he was her destined husband. The next day they were married, and the Emperor Maxen Wledig gave Helena as dowry all Britain for her father, the son of Caradoc, and for herself three castles, Caernarvon[21 - Caernarvon – Карнарвон], Caerlleon[22 - Caerlleon – Карлеон], and Caermarthen[23 - Caermarthen – Кармартен], where she lived in turn; and in one of them was born her son Constantine, the only British-born Emperor of Rome.

To this day in Wales the old Roman roads that once connected Helena’s three castles are known as “Sarn Helen.”

The Tale of Gamelyn[24 - Gamelyn – Гэмлин]

In the reign of King Edward I[25 - King Edward I – Эдуард I, правил Англией в 1272—1307 гг.], there lived in Lincolnshire a noble gentleman, Sir John of the Marches. He was now old, but was still a model of all courtesy and a perfect gentle knight.

He had three sons, of whom the youngest, Gamelyn, was born in his father’s old age, and was greatly beloved by the old man; the other two were much older than he, and John, the eldest, had already developed a wicked character. Gamelyn and his second brother, Otho, respected their father, but John had no respect or obedience for the good gentleman, and was the chief trouble of his declining years, as Gamelyn was his chief joy.

At last old age and weakness overcame the worthy old Sir John, and he was forced to take to his bed[26 - take to one’s bed – слечь в постель], where he lay sadly thinking of his children’s future, and wondering how to divide his possessions fairly among the three. Fearing that he could commit an injustice, Sir John sent throughout the district for wise knights, asking them to come hastily, if they wished to see him alive and help him.