Kabanata Kabanata 39 · Of the interment of twelve kings, and of the prophecy of

. Of the interment of twelve kings, and of the prophecy of

Merlin, and how Balin should give the dolorous stroke.

So at the interment came King Lot’s wife Margawse with her four sons,

Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Gareth. Also there came thither King

Uriens, Sir Ewaine’s father, and Morgan le Fay his wife that was King

Arthur’s sister. All these came to the interment. But of all these

twelve kings King Arthur let make the tomb of King Lot passing richly,

and made his tomb by his own; and then Arthur let make twelve images of

latten and copper, and over-gilt it with gold, in the sign of twelve

kings, and each one of them held a taper of wax that burnt day and

night; and King Arthur was made in sign of a figure standing above them

with a sword drawn in his hand, and all the twelve figures had

countenance like unto men that were overcome. All this made Merlin by

his subtle craft, and there he told the king, When I am dead these

tapers shall burn no longer, and soon after the adventures of the

Sangreal shall come among you and be achieved. Also he told Arthur how

Balin the worshipful knight shall give the dolorous stroke, whereof

shall fall great vengeance. Oh, where is Balin and Balan and Pellinore?

said King Arthur. As for Pellinore, said Merlin, he will meet with you

soon; and as for Balin he will not be long from you; but the other

brother will depart, ye shall see him no more. By my faith, said

Arthur, they are two marvellous knights, and namely Balin passeth of

prowess of any knight that ever I found, for much beholden am I unto

him; would God he would abide with me. Sir, said Merlin, look ye keep

well the scabbard of Excalibur, for ye shall lose no blood while ye

have the scabbard upon you, though ye have as many wounds upon you as

ye may have. So after, for great trust, Arthur betook the scabbard to

Morgan le Fay his sister, and she loved another knight better than her

husband King Uriens or King Arthur, and she would have had Arthur her

brother slain, and therefore she let make another scabbard like it by

enchantment, and gave the scabbard Excalibur to her love; and the

knight’s name was called Accolon, that after had near slain King

Arthur. After this Merlin told unto King Arthur of the prophecy that

there should be a great battle beside Salisbury, and Mordred his own

son should be against him. Also he told him that Bagdemegus was his

cousin, and germain unto King Uriens.