"Here lieth Lanceor, the son of Ireland's king, who was slain in fair combat by the hands of Balin; and his lady Colombe, who for deep love and sorrow slew herself with her true love's sword. May lovers henceforth make this their place of pilgrimage."
CHAPTER II.
HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS.
While the tomb was being erected over the dead knight and his love, Merlin appeared at the scene.
"You have done yourself great harm," he said to Balin. "Why saved you not this lady?"
"By the faith of my body, I could not," said Balin, "she slew herself so suddenly."
"This must I tell you," said Merlin. "Because of the death of this lady you shall strike a stroke the most dolorous that ever man struck, except the stroke of our Lord; for you shall hurt the truest knight and the man of most worship that now lives, and through that stroke three kingdoms shall be in great poverty, misery, and wretchedness for twelve years, and the knight you will hurt shall not be whole of his wound for many years."
"If I knew that it were true as you say," answered Balin, "I would do such a rash deed as to slay myself to make you a liar. But the future must reveal itself. I trust no man's predictions."