King Arthurs Knights | Page 3

into holes and crannies of the rocks. And then the
red one took heart, and with a fury that was marvellous to see, he drove
and tore the white dragon full terribly, and anon the white one crawled
away sore wounded. And the red dragon walked up and down in the
place of his triumph, and grew proud, and fought smaller red dragons
and conquered. Thus for a long time he stayed, and was secure and
boastful. Then I saw the white dragon return with a rage that was very
terrible, and the red dragon fought with him; but his pride had softened
him, so he drew off. Then other red dragons came upon him in his
wounds and beat him sore, which seeing, the white dragon dashed upon
them all--and I awoke. Merlin, tell me what this may mean, for my
mind is sore distraught with the vision.'
Then Merlin looked at the trembling king, wasted with disease, and in
his wise heart was great pity.
'It means, lord,' he said in slow grave tones, 'that thy people shall
conquer--that a red dragon shall rise from thy kin, who shall drive out
the loathsome pagan and shall conquer far and wide, and his fame shall
go into all lands and for all time.'
'I thank thee, Merlin, for thy comfort,' sighed the wearied king. 'I have
feared me these last years that the pagan will at the last drive my people
into the western sea, and that the name of Christ shall die out of this
fair land, and the foul pagan possess it. But thy words give me great
heart.'
'Nay, sir,' said Merlin, 'take comfort. Great power will come to this

people in a near time, and they shall conquer all their enemies.'
Anon the king slept, and lay thus for three further days, neither
speaking nor moving. Many great lords and barons came craving to
speak with Merlin, asking if the king were not better. But, looking into
their crafty eyes, and seeing there the pride and ambitions of their
hearts, Merlin knew that they wished the king were already dead; for all
thought that King Uther had no son to take the kingdom after him, and
each great baron, strong in men, plotted to win the overlordship when
the king should be gone.
'If he dieth and sayeth not which he shall name to succeed him,' some
asked, 'say, Merlin, what's to be done?'
'I shall tell you,' said Merlin. 'Come ye all into this chamber
to-morrow's morn, and, if God so wills, I will make the king speak.'
Next morn, therefore, came all the great barons and lords into the high
hall of the palace, and many were the proud and haughty glances
passing among them. There was King Lot of Orkney, small and slim,
with his dark narrow face and crafty eyes under pent eyebrows; King
Uriens of Reged, tall and well-seeming, with grim eyes war-wise, fresh
from the long harrying of the fleeing pagans; King Mark of Tintagel,
burly of form, crafty and mean of look; King Nentres of Garlot, ruddy
of face, blusterous of manner, who tried to hide cunning under a guise
of honesty; and many others, as Duke Cambenet of Loidis, King
Brandegoris of Stranggore, King Morkant of Strathclyde, King
Clariance of Northumberland, King Kador of Cornwall, and King Idres
of Silura.
Now, when all these were assembled about the bed of Uther, Merlin
went to the side of the sleeping king, and looked long and earnestly
upon his closed eyes. Anon he passed his hands above the face of the
king, and Uther instantly awoke, and looked about him as if startled.
'Lord,' said Merlin, 'God's hand is drawing you to Him, and these your
lords desire you to name your successor ere you pass from life. Is it not
your desire that your son Arthur shall take the kingdom after you, with

your blessing?'
Those who craned towards the bed started and looked darkly at Merlin
and then at each other; for none had heard of the son whom the wizard
named Arthur. Then in the deep silence the dying king raised his hand
in the sign of blessing, and in a hollow whisper said:
'Such is my desire. With God's blessing I wish my son Arthur to take
this kingdom after me, and all that love me must follow him.'
His eyes closed, a shiver passed down the tall frame as it lay beneath
the clothes, and with a sigh the soul of Uther sped.
In a few days the king was buried in all solemnity with the dead of his
kindred in the Roman temple that had been made a church, where now
stands St. Paul's. Thereafter men waited and wondered, for the land was
without a