Uther heard this, who was king most stark, that Gorlois, his earl, had gathered his forces, and would hold war, with much wrath.  The king summoned his host over all this territory, over all the land that stood in his hand, people of many kind marched them together, and came to London to the sovereign.  Out of London’s town fared Uther Pendragon, he and his knights proceeded forth-right, so long, that they came into Cornwall, and over the water they passed, that Tambres hight, right to the castle, where they knew Gorlois to be.  With much enmity the castle they besieged, oft they assaulted it with fierce strength; together they leapt, people there fell.  Full seven nights the king with his knights besieged the castle, his men there had sorrow, he might not of the earl anything win, and all the se’nnight lasted the marvellous fight.  When Uther the king saw that nothing sped to him, oft he bethought him what he might do, for Ygaerne was so dear to him, even as his own life, and Gorlois was to him in the land of all men most loathsome; and in each way was woe to him in this world’s realm, because he might not have anything of his will.

Then was with the king an old man exceeding well-informed; he was a very rich thane, and skilful in each doom, he was named Ulfin, much wisdom was with him.  The king drew up his chin, and looked on Ulfin, greatly he mourned, his mood was disturbed.  Then quoth Uther Pendragon to Ulfin the knight:  “Ulfin, say me some counsel, or I shall be full soon dead, so much it longeth me after the fair Ygaerne, that I may not live.  This word hold to me secret; for Ulfin the dear, thy good counsels, loud and still I will do them.”  Then answered Ulfin to the king who spake with him:  “Now hear I a king say great marvel!  Thou lovest Ygaerne, and holdest it so secret, the woman is to thee dear, and her lord all loath, his land thou consumest, and makest him destitute, and threatenest himself to slay, and his kin to destroy.  Weenest thou with such harm to obtain Ygaerne?  She should do then as no woman doth, with dread unmeet hold love sweet.  But if thou lovest Ygaerne, thou shouldest hold it secret, and send her soon of silver and of gold, and love her with art, and with loving behest.  The yet it were a doubt, whether thou mightest possess her, for Ygaerne is chaste, a woman most true; so was her mother, and more of the kin.  In sooth I thee say, dearest of all kings, that otherwise thou must begin, if thou wilt win her.  For yesterday came to me a good hermit, and swore by his chin, that he knew Merlin, where he each night resteth under heaven, and oft he spake with him, and stories him told.  And if we might with art get Merlin, then mightest thou thy will wholly obtain.”