Chương Chương 2 · First, How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and

. First, How Uther Pendragon sent for the duke of Cornwall and

Igraine his wife, and of their departing suddenly again.

It befell in the days of Uther Pendragon, when he was king of all

England, and so reigned, that there was a mighty duke in Cornwall that

held war against him long time. And the duke was called the Duke of

Tintagil. And so by means King Uther sent for this duke, charging him

to bring his wife with him, for she was called a fair lady, and a

passing wise, and her name was called Igraine.

So when the duke and his wife were come unto the king, by the means of

great lords they were accorded both. The king liked and loved this lady

well, and he made them great cheer out of measure, and desired to have

lain by her. But she was a passing good woman, and would not assent

unto the king. And then she told the duke her husband, and said, I

suppose that we were sent for that I should be dishonoured; wherefore,

husband, I counsel you, that we depart from hence suddenly, that we may

ride all night unto our own castle. And in like wise as she said so

they departed, that neither the king nor none of his council were ware

of their departing. All so soon as King Uther knew of their departing

so suddenly, he was wonderly wroth. Then he called to him his privy

council, and told them of the sudden departing of the duke and his

wife.

Then they advised the king to send for the duke and his wife by a great

charge; and if he will not come at your summons, then may ye do your

best, then have ye cause to make mighty war upon him. So that was done,

and the messengers had their answers; and that was this shortly, that

neither he nor his wife would not come at him.

Then was the king wonderly wroth. And then the king sent him plain word

again, and bade him be ready and stuff him and garnish him, for within

forty days he would fetch him out of the biggest castle that he hath.

When the duke had this warning, anon he went and furnished and

garnished two strong castles of his, of the which the one hight

Tintagil, and the other castle hight Terrabil. So his wife Dame Igraine

he put in the castle of Tintagil, and himself he put in the castle of

Terrabil, the which had many issues and posterns out. Then in all haste

came Uther with a great host, and laid a siege about the castle of

Terrabil. And there he pight many pavilions, and there was great war

made on both parties, and much people slain. Then for pure anger and

for great love of fair Igraine the king Uther fell sick. So came to the

king Uther Sir Ulfius, a noble knight, and asked the king why he was

sick. I shall tell thee, said the king, I am sick for anger and for

love of fair Igraine, that I may not be whole. Well, my lord, said Sir

Ulfius, I shall seek Merlin, and he shall do you remedy, that your

heart shall be pleased. So Ulfius departed, and by adventure he met

Merlin in a beggar’s array, and there Merlin asked Ulfius whom he

sought. And he said he had little ado to tell him. Well, said Merlin, I

know whom thou seekest, for thou seekest Merlin; therefore seek no

farther, for I am he; and if King Uther will well reward me, and be

sworn unto me to fulfil my desire, that shall be his honour and profit

more than mine; for I shall cause him to have all his desire. All this

will I undertake, said Ulfius, that there shall be nothing reasonable

but thou shalt have thy desire. Well, said Merlin, he shall have his

intent and desire. And therefore, said Merlin, ride on your way, for I

will not be long behind.