Chapter Chapter 47 · How Merlin buried them both in one tomb, and of Balin’s

. How Merlin buried them both in one tomb, and of Balin’s

sword.

In the morn came Merlin and let write Balin’s name on the tomb with

letters of gold, that Here lieth Balin le Savage that was the Knight

with the Two Swords, and he that smote the Dolorous Stroke. Also Merlin

let make there a bed, that there should never man lie therein but he

went out of his wit, yet Launcelot de Lake fordid that bed through his

noblesse. And anon after Balin was dead, Merlin took his sword, and

took off the pommel and set on another pommel. So Merlin bade a knight

that stood afore him handle that sword, and he assayed, and he might

not handle it. Then Merlin laughed. Why laugh ye? said the knight. This

is the cause, said Merlin: there shall never man handle this sword but

the best knight of the world, and that shall be Sir Launcelot or else

Galahad his son, and Launcelot with this sword shall slay the man that

in the world he loved best, that shall be Sir Gawaine. All this he let

write in the pommel of the sword. Then Merlin let make a bridge of iron

and of steel into that island, and it was but half a foot broad, and

there shall never man pass that bridge, nor have hardiness to go over,

but if he were a passing good man and a good knight without treachery

or villainy. Also the scabbard of Balin’s sword Merlin left it on this

side the island, that Galahad should find it. Also Merlin let make by

his subtilty that Balin’s sword was put in a marble stone standing

upright as great as a mill stone, and the stone hoved always above the

water and did many years, and so by adventure it swam down the stream

to the City of Camelot, that is in English Winchester. And that same

day Galahad the haut prince came with King Arthur, and so Galahad

brought with him the scabbard and achieved the sword that was there in

the marble stone hoving upon the water. And on Whitsunday he achieved

the sword as it is rehearsed in the book of Sangreal.

Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him of the

dolorous stroke that Balin gave to King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan

fought together the marvellest battle that ever was heard of, and how

they were buried both in one tomb. Alas, said King Arthur, this is the

greatest pity that ever I heard tell of two knights, for in the world I

know not such two knights. Thus endeth the tale of Balin and of Balan,

two brethren born in Northumberland, good knights.

Sequitur iii. liber.

BOOK III.