"He was Uther Pendragon, the king," replied the seeming boy, "and you are of royal blood."
"How can you know that? I will not believe you without better proof," said Arthur.
At these words the child departed, but quickly after there came to the king an old man of fourscore years.
"Why are you so sad?" asked the old man.
"For many things," replied Arthur. "Here but now was a child who told me things which it seems to me he could not know."
"He told you the truth," said the old man, "and would have told you more if you had listened. This I am bidden to tell you, that you have done things which have displeased God, and that your sister shall bear a son who will destroy you and all the knights of your land. That is the meaning of your dream in which griffons and serpents burnt and slew all before them, and wounded you to the death."
"Who are you," said Arthur, "that tell me these things?"
"I am Merlin," replied the old man. "And I was the child who came to you."
"You are a marvellous man," replied Arthur. "But how can you know that I shall die in battle?"
"How I know matters not, but this much more I am bidden to tell you: your death will be a noble one; but I shall die a shameful death, and shall be put in the earth alive for my follies. Such is the voice of destiny."