_First how Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and Igraine
his wife, and of their departing suddenly again._
It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all
England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that
held war against him long time. And the duke was named the duke of
Tintagil. And so by means king Uther sent for this duke, charging him
to bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a
passing wise, and her name was called Igraine. So when the duke and his
wife were come unto the king, by the means of great lords they were
accorded both: the king liked and loved this lady well, and he made
them great cheer out of measure, and desired to have had her love. But
she was a passing good woman, and would not assent unto the king. And
then she told the duke her husband, and said, I suppose that we were
sent for that I should be dishonoured, wherefore, husband, I counsel
you that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may ride all night to
our own castle. And in like wise as she said so they departed, that
neither the king nor none of his council were ware of their departing.
All so soon as king Uther knew of their departing so suddenly, he was
wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privy council, and told them
of the sudden departing of the duke and his wife. Then they advised the
king to send for the duke and his wife by a great charge: and if he
will not come at your summons, then may ye do your best; then have ye
cause to make mighty war upon him. So that was done, and the messengers
had their answers, and that was this, shortly, that neither he nor his
wife would not come at him. Then was the king wonderly wroth. And then
the king sent him plain word again, and bade him be ready and stuff him
and garnish him, for within forty days he would fetch him out of the
biggest castle that he hath. When the duke had this warning, anon he
went and furnished and garnished two strong castles of his, of the
which the one hight Tintagil and the other castle hight Terrabil. So
his wife, dame Igraine, he put in the castle of Tintagil, and himself
he put in the castle of Terrabil, the which had many issues and
posterns out. Then in all haste came Uther with a great host, and laid
a siege about the castle of Terrabil. And there he pight many
pavilions, and there was great war made on both parties, and much
people slain. Then for pure anger and for great love of fair Igraine
the king Uther fell sick. So came to the king Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble
knight, and asked the king why he was sick. I shall tell thee, said the
king; I am sick for anger and for love of fair Igraine, that I may not
be whole. Well, my lord, said Sir Ulfius, I shall seek Merlin, and he
shall do you remedy that your heart shall be pleased. So Ulfius
departed, and by adventure he met Merlin in a beggar’s array, and there
Merlin asked Ulfius whom he sought? and he said he had little ado to
tell him. Well, said Merlin, I know whom thou seekest, for thou seekest
Merlin; therefore seek no further, for I am he, and if king Uther will
well reward me, and be sworn unto me to fulfil my desire, that shall be
his honour and profit more than mine, for I shall cause him to have all
his desire. All this will I undertake, said Ulfius, that there shall be
nothing reasonable but thou shalt have thy desire. Well, said Merlin,
he shall have his intent and desire. And therefore, said Merlin, ride
on your way, for I will not be long behind.