and some they went forth south; some they went right east, and some they went right west, some they went anon, so that they came to Alaban, that is a fair well in Welsh land.  The well he (Merlin) much loved, and oft therein bathed him; the knights him found where he sate by the strand.  So soon as they him met, they greeted him fair; and thus said the two knights to him forth-right:  “Hail be thou, Merlin, wisest of men!  By us he who is a goodly king, named Aurelie, noblest of all kings, greets thee, and he beseecheth thee courteously, that thou come to him; and he will give land to thee, both silver and gold, if thou in the realm wilt counsel the king.”  Then answered Merlin, what to the knights was full woe:  “I reck not of his land, his silver, nor his gold, nor his clothes, nor his horses; myself I have enow.”  Then sate he still a long time.  These knights were afraid, that he would flee.  When it all brake forth, it was good that he spake:  “Ye are two knights come right here; yesterday ere noon I knew that ye should come, and if I so would, ye might not have found me.  Ye bring me greeting from Aurelie the king.  I knew his qualities ere he came to land, and I knew the other, Uther his brother; I knew both ere they were born, though I never saw either with eye.  But alas! alas! that it is so ordered, that the monarch may not live long!  But now will I go, and be your companion; to the king I will proceed, and perform his will.”

Forth went Merlin, and the knights with him, so long that they came to the sovereign.  The good tidings came to the king; never ere in his life was the king so blithe, for ever any kind of man that came to him!  The king went to his steed, and out gan him ride, and all his knights with him, to welcome Merlin.  The king him met, and greeted him fair, he embraced him, he kissed him, he made him his familiar.  Great was the mirth among the people, all for Merlin’s arrival, who was son of no man.  Alas! that in the world was no wise man that ever knew here whose son he were, but the Lord alone, who surveys (or explores) all clean!  The king led to chamber Merlin who was dear; and he gan ask him anon with his fair words, that he should cause him to understand of the world’s course, and of all the years that were to come, for it were to him greatly in will, that he thereof knew.  Merlin then answered, and to the king said thus:  “O Aurelie, the king, thou askest me a strange thing, look that thou no more such thing inquire.  For my spirit truly is wrathful, that is in my breast; and if I among men would make boast, with gladness, with game, with goodly words, my spirit would wrath himself, and become still, and deprive me of my sense, and my wise words fore-close, then were I dumb of every sentence.  But leave all such things,” quoth Merlin to the king, “for whensoever need shall come to ever any people, and man will beseech me with mildness, and I may with my will dwell still, then may I say, how it afterwards shall happen.  But