He ordered the marriage and coronation to be prepared for in royal pomp, but with no needless delay.
"And, Merlin," he said, "I pray you to go and seek me out fifty knights of the highest honor and valor, to complete the tale of my Round Table Knights."
Merlin went, and in a short time brought twenty-eight knights whom he deemed worthy of that high honor, but no more could he find.
Then the Archbishop of Canterbury was brought, and he blessed the seats of the Round Table with great worship and ceremony, and placed the twenty-eight knights in their chairs. When this was done Merlin said,—
Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
KING ARTHUR'S FAIR LOVE.
"Fair sirs, you must all rise and come to King Arthur and do him homage. For henceforth you are his chosen knights, and must so declare. And know you well, that great shall be the future honor and fame of all who worthily occupy these seats."
At this request the knights arose, and did homage to the king. And when they had risen from their seats there appeared in each in letters of gold the name of him who had sat therein. But two seats were wanting from the full tale.
"What is the reason of this?" asked Arthur. "Why are there two seats lacking?"