I will counsel thee of thy nearest need, and say to thee right here what thou hast in heart.  A plain is by Ambresbury, that is broad, and exceeding pleasant, there was thy kindred deprived of life with knives, there was many bold Briton betrayed to the death; and thinkest to greet the place with worship, and with surprising works to honour the dead, that there shall ever stand, to the world’s end.  But thou hast never any man, that knows aught thereon, who can make a work that never will fail.  But I will counsel thee at such need, for I know a work with wonder encompassed, far the work standeth in Ireland.  It is a most surprising thing, it is named the Giant’s Ring, the work is of stone, such another there is none, so wide as is the worlds-realm is no work its like.  The stones are great, and virtue they have; the men who are sick they go to the stones, and they wash the stones, and therewith bathe their bones; after a little while they become all sound!  But the stones are mickle, and immensely great; for was never any man born, in every any burgh, who might with strength bring the stones thence.”  Then answered the king:  “Merlin, thou sayest strange thing, that never any man born may bring them thence, nor with any strength carry from the place, how might I then bring them hence?” Then answered Merlin to the king who spake with him:  “Yes, yes, lord king, it was of yore said, that better is art, than evil strength; for with art men may hold what strength may not obtain.  But assemble thine army, and go to the land, and lead thou with thee a good host; and I will go with thee—­thy worship will be the more!  Ere thou back come, thy will thou shalt have, and the work thou shalt bring with thee to this land, and so thou shalt carry it to the burial-place, and honour the spot where thy friends lie.  And thou thyself shalt therein thy bones rest; when thy life endeth, there shalt thou rest.”  Thus said Merlin, and afterwards he sate still, as though he would from the world depart.  The king caused him to be brought into a fair chamber, and dwell therein, after his will.

Aurche the king caused a husting to be summoned from all the lands that stood in his hand; he bade them counsel him at such need.  And his noble barons they well advised him, that he should do the counsel that Merlin had said to him.  But they would not lead the king out of this land, but they chose them for chief Uther the good, and fifteen thousand knights, weaponed fair, of bold Britons, who thither should go.  When this army was all ready, then began they to fare with all the best ships that by the sea stood, and voyaged so long that they came to Ireland.  And the brave knights took the haven, they went upon the sea-strand, and beheld Ireland.  Then spake Merlin, and discoursed with words:  “See ye now, brave men, the great hill, the hill so exceeding high, that to the welkin it is full high?  That is the marvellous thing, it is named the Giant’s Ring, to each work unlike—­it came from Africa.  Pitch your tents over all these fields, here we shall rest for the space of three days; on the fourth day we shall march hence toward the hill, where our will is.  But we shall first refresh us, and assemble our warriors, make ready our weapons, for well they behove us (we shall need them).”  Thus it remained, and there lay the army.