I have come here to search the way,
To find the red egg;
The red egg of the marine serpent,
By the seaside, in the hollow of the stone.

I am going to seek in the valley
The green water-cress, and the golden grass,
And the top branch of the oak,
In the wood by the side of the fountain.

Merlin! Merlin! retrace your steps;
Leave the branch on the oak,
And the green water-cress in the valley,
As well as the golden grass;
And leave the red egg of the marine serpent
In the foam by the hollow of the stone.
Merlin! Merlin! retrace thy steps;
There is no diviner but God.

Merlin was supposed to know the past, the present, and the future, and to
be able to assume the form of any animal, and even that of a
_menhir_, or huge standing stone. Before history began he ruled in
Britain, then a delightful island of flowery meadows. His subjects were
"small people" (fairies), and their lives were a continued festival of
singing, playing, and enjoyment. The sage ruled them as a father, his
familiar servant being a tame wolf. He also possessed a kingdom, beneath
the waves, where everything was beautiful, the inhabitants being charming
little beings, with waves of long, fair hair falling on their shoulders in
curls. Fruits and milk composed the food of all, meat and fish being held
in abhorrence. The only want felt was of the full light of the sun, which,