“I will tell you, O mighty King, without fear or favor,” replied Merlin, “although I know full well that what I have to say will not be at all to your liking. You may build your tower now, for there is nothing to hinder you; and you may shut yourself up within its strong walls. Nevertheless, Pendragon and Uther, the sons of King Constantine whose trust you betrayed, and the brothers of the young heir Constans whom you so cruelly murdered, have to-day landed on your shores with a mighty army. Forty days and forty nights shall the siege continue, and at the end of that time your tower shall be destroyed with every living soul within its walls.
“Then shall reign in Britain first Pendragon and afterwards Uther; and all the days of their lives they shall war against the Saxon whom you, Sir King, have brought to this land. The White Dragon stands for the Saxon, and the Red Dragon for the Briton. Long and deadly shall be the strife between them, but in the fulness of time there shall be born to Uther a son whose name shall be called ARTHUR. He shall be the greatest king that these Islands are destined ever to know. He and his wonderful knights shall make war on the Saxon and drive him from the land. So shall the mischief of your reign be repaired—for a season.”
Then the King, still clinging to the shadow of his former hope, hastened the building of his tower, and shut himself within its mighty walls. Nevertheless, within forty days after the beginning of the siege, having been driven back time and again, Pendragon and Uther, counselled by Merlin, threw burning brands over the ramparts, so that the tower took fire and burned with a mighty conflagration until all within had perished.
Thus was Merlin’s prophecy concerning Vortigern fulfilled; and as for his other prophecies—that is another story.
(Number Two—“How Arthur Won His Kingdom”—will appear in the next issue)
GLOSSARY FOR BEGINNERS
1. Adjure, to charge or entreat solemnly. 2. Artificer, one who works or constructs with skill. 3. Astrologer, one who reads the supposed destinies of men in the stars. 4. Battering-ram, a long beam, usually with a heavy head, used in making breaches in walls. 5. Boulder, a stone or rock. 6. Catapult, a military engine used for throwing spears. 7. Cauldron, a large kettle or boiler. 8. Hamlet, a small village. 9. Incantations, the saying or singing of magical words for enchantment. 10. Over-lord, a king or chief who held authority over other lords. 11. Quest, a search. 12. Realm, a kingdom. 13. Sage, a wise man. 14. Vigil, a night watch. 15. Wizard, one having the power of magic; a male witch.