To the hill of Kylar[3] send in to Ireland,
After the noble stones that there habbet[4] long ystand;
That was the treche of giants,[5] for a quainte work there is
Of stones all with art ymade, in the world such none is.
Ne there n'is nothing that me should myd[6] strength adowne cast.
Stood they here, as they doth there, ever a woulde last.'
The king somdeal to-lygh[7], when he hearde this tale:
'How might,' he said, 'such stones, so great and so fale,[8]
Be ybrought of so far land? And yet mist of were,
Me would ween that in this lande no stone to wonke n'ere.'
Sir king,' quoth Merlin, 'ne make nought an idle such laughing;
For it n'is an idle nought that I tell this tiding.
For in the farrest stude of Afric giants while fet [9]
These stones for medicine and in Ireland them set,
While they wonenden in Ireland to make their bathe's there,
There under for to bathe when they sick were.
For they would the stones wash and therein bathe ywis;
For is no stone there among that of great virtue n'is.'
The king and his counsel rode the stones for to fet,
And with great power of battle if any more them let.
Uther, the kinge's brother, that Ambrose hett[10] also,
In another name ychose was thereto,
And fifteen thousand men, this deede for to do,
And Merlin for his quaintise thither went also.

[1] If I should say any thing out of wantonness or vanity, the spirit
which teaches me would immediately leave me.
[2] Bade him use his cunning, for the sake of the bodies of those noble
and wise Britons.
[3] 'Kylar:' Kildare.