“He had fought valiantly against the enemies”
“You all know the prophecy—that a child who never had mortal parents shall soon appear among us, and that he shall be able to read more in the stars than the wisest of our astrologers, that he shall be a greater magician than the greatest of us, and that through him we shall lose our power and pass away?”
“Ah! yes, we have heard,” they answered, shaking their white heads mournfully.
“That child,” continued the Sage, “is living somewhere in Britain at this very moment, and his name is Merlin. Let us tell the King that his tower, to make it stand, needs but the blood of this child sprinkled upon its foundations. So shall we by the same act save our lives and rid ourselves of one who otherwise will surely work us harm.”
Then the Wise Men bowed their heads and answered:
“You have spoken the words of wisdom.”
So at high noon that day, when they were once more gathered about the throne, they gave their answer:
“Seek, your Majesty,” said they, “a child named Merlin who never had mortal parents. Sprinkle his blood upon the foundations of your tower. Then will it stand until the end of time.”