_How king Pellinore took Arthur’s horse and followed the questing
beast, and how Merlin met with Arthur._
Sir knight, said the king, leave that quest and suffer me to have it,
and I will follow it another twelve month. Ah fool, said the knight
unto Arthur, it is in vain thy desire, for it shall never be achieved
but by me, or my next kin. Therewith he stert unto the king’s horse,
and mounted into the saddle, and said, Gramercy, this horse is mine
own. Well, said the king, thou mayest take my horse by force, but and I
might prove thee whether thou wert better on horseback or I. Well, said
the knight, seek me here when thou wilt, and here nigh this well thou
shalt find me; and so passed on his way. Then the king sat in a study,
and bad his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might. Right so
came by him Merlin like a child of fourteen year of age, and saluted
the king, and asked him why he was so pensive? I may well be pensive,
said the king, for I have seen the marvellest sight that ever I saw.
That know I well, said Merlin, as well as thyself, and of all thy
thoughts; but thou art but a fool to take thought, for it will not
amend thee. Also I know what thou art, and who was thy father, and of
whom thou wert born; king Uther Pendragon was thy father, and had thee
of Igraine. That is false, said king Arthur; how shouldest thou know
it? for thou art not so old of years to know my father. Yes, said
Merlin, I know it better than ye or any man living. I will not believe
thee, said Arthur, and was wroth with the child. So departed Merlin;
and came again in the likeness of an old man of fourscore years of age,
whereof the king was right glad, for he seemed to be right wise.
Then said the old man, Why are ye so sad? I may well be heavy, said
Arthur, for many things. Also here was a child, and told me many things
that me seemeth he should not know, for he was not of age to know my
father. Yes, said the old man, the child told you truth, and more would
he have told you and ye would have suffered him. But ye have done a
thing late that God is displeased with you, and your sister shall have
a child that shall destroy you and all the knights of your realm. What
are ye, said Arthur, that tell me these tidings? I am Merlin, and I was
he in the child’s likeness. Ah, said king Arthur, ye are a marvellous
man, but I marvel much of thy words that I must die in battle. Marvel
not, said Merlin, for it is God’s will your body to be punished for
your foul deeds. But I may well be sorry, said Merlin, for I shall die
a shameful death, to be put in the earth quick, and ye shall die a
worshipful death. And as they talked this, came one with the king’s
horse, and so the king mounted on his horse and Merlin on another, and
so rode unto Carlion. And anon the king asked Ector and Ulfius how he
was born. And they told him that Uther Pendragon was his father, and
queen Igraine his mother: then he said to Merlin, I will that my mother
be sent for, that I may speak with her, and if she say so herself, then
will I believe it. In all haste the queen was sent for, and she came
and brought with her Morgan le Fay her daughter, that was as fair a
lady as any might be. And the king welcomed Igraine in the best manner.