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Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Thomas Malory
page 104 of 567 (18%)
savest not this lady that slew herself, that might have saved her
an thou wouldest. By the faith of my body, said Balin, I might
not save her, for she slew herself suddenly. Me repenteth, said
Merlin; because of the death of that lady thou shalt strike a
stroke most dolorous that ever man struck, except the stroke of
our Lord, for thou shalt hurt the truest knight and the man of
most worship that now liveth, and through that stroke three
kingdoms shall be in great poverty, misery and wretchedness
twelve years, and the knight shall not be whole of that wound for
many years. Then Merlin took his leave of Balin. And Balin
said, If I wist it were sooth that ye say I should do such a
perilous deed as that, I would slay myself to make thee a liar.
Therewith Merlin vanished away suddenly. And then Balan and his
brother took their leave of King Mark. First, said the king,
tell me your name. Sir, said Balan, ye may see he beareth two
swords, thereby ye may call him the Knight with the Two Swords.
And so departed King Mark unto Camelot to King Arthur, and Balin
took the way toward King Rience; and as they rode together they
met with Merlin disguised, but they knew him not. Whither ride
you? said Merlin. We have little to do, said the two knights, to
tell thee. But what is thy name? said Balin. At this time, said
Merlin, I will not tell it thee. It is evil seen, said the
knights, that thou art a true man that thou wilt not tell thy
name. As for that, said Merlin, be it as it be may, I can tell
you wherefore ye ride this way, for to meet King Rience; but it
will not avail you without ye have my counsel. Ah! said Balin,
ye are Merlin; we will be ruled by your counsel. Come on, said
Merlin, ye shall have great worship, and look that ye do
knightly, for ye shall have great need. As for that, said Balin,
dread you not, we will do what we may.
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