prophecy fulfilled, that he should go down into the earth alive.  Much they marvelled in Arthur’s court what had become of the great magician, till on a time, there rode past the stone a certain Knight of the Round Table and heard Merlin lamenting his sad fate.  The knight would have striven to raise the mighty stone, but Merlin bade him not waste his labour, since none might release him save her who had imprisoned him there.  Thus Merlin passed from the world through the treachery of a damsel, and thus Arthur was without aid in the days when his doom came upon him.

CHAPTER VII

BALIN AND BALAN

Among the princes that thought scorn of Arthur in the days when first he became king, none was more insolent than Ryons of North Wales.  So, on a time when King Arthur held high festival at Camelot, Ryons sent a herald who, in the presence of the whole court, before brave knights and fair dames, thus addressed the King:  “Sir Arthur, my master bids me say that he has overcome eleven kings with all their hosts, and, in token of their submission, they have given him their beards to fringe him a mantle.  There remains yet space for the twelfth; wherefore, with all speed, send him your beard, else will he lay waste your land with fire and sword.”  “Viler message,” said King Arthur, “was never sent from man to man.  Get thee gone, lest we forget thine office protects thee.”  So spoke the King, for he had seen his knights clap hand to sword, and would not that a messenger should suffer hurt in his court.

Now among the knights present the while was one whom men called Balin le Savage, who had but late been freed from prison for slaying a knight of Arthur’s court.  None was more wroth than he at the villainy of Ryons, and immediately after the departure of the herald, he left the hall and armed him; for he was minded to try if, with good fortune, he might win to Arthur’s grace by avenging him on the King of North Wales.  While he was without, there entered the hall a Witch Lady who, on a certain occasion, had done the King a service, and for this she now desired of him a boon.  So Arthur bade her name her request, and thus she said:  “O King, I require of you the head of the knight Balin le Savage.”  “That may I not grant you with my honour,” replied the King; “ask what it may become me to give.”  But the Witch Lady would have naught else, and departed from the hall, murmuring against the King.  Then, as it chanced, Balin met her at the door, and immediately when he saw her, he rode upon her, sword in hand, and, with one blow, smote off her head.  Thus he took vengeance for his mother’s death, of which she had been the cause, and, well content, rode away.  But when it was told King Arthur of the deed that Balin had done, he was full wroth, nor was his anger lessened though Merlin declared the wrong the Witch Lady had done to Balin.  “Whatsoever cause he had against her, yet should he have done her no violence in my court,” said the King, and bade Sir Lanceour of Ireland ride after Balin and bring him back again.