s
not space there to say how it came about. And as the tales of the
Round Table are full of this lady, Queen Guenevere, it is well that
anybody who reads this book should learn how she became Queen.

After King Arthur had fought and conquered many enemies, he said one
day to Merlin, whose counsel he took all the days of his life, 'My
Barons will let me have no rest, but bid me take a wife, and I have
answered them that I shall take none, except you advise me.'

'It is well,' replied Merlin, 'that you should take a wife, but is
there any woman that you love better than another?' 'Yes,' said
Arthur, 'I love Guenevere, daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard,
in whose house is the Round Table that my father gave him. This maiden
is the fairest that I have ever seen, or ever shall see.' 'Sir,'
answered Merlin, 'what you say as to her beauty is true, but, if your
heart was not set on her, I could find you another as fair, and of
more goodness, than she. But if a man's heart is once set it is idle
to try to turn him.' Then Merlin asked the King to give him a company
of knights and esquires, that he might go to the Court of King
Leodegrance and tell him that King Arthur desired to wed his daughter,
which Arthur did gladly. Therefore Merlin rode forth and made all the
haste he could till he came to the Castle of Cameliard, and told King
Leodegrance who had sent him and why.

'That is the best news I have ever had,' replied Leodegrance, 'for
little did I think that so great and noble a King should seek to marry
my daughter. As for lands to endow her with, I would give whatever he
chose; but he has lands enough of his own, so I will give him instead
something that will please him much more, the Round Table which Uther
Pendragon gave me, where a hundred and fifty Knights can sit at one
time. I myself can call to my side a hundred good Knights, but I lack
fifty, for the wars have slain many, and some are absent.' And without
more words King Leodegrance gave his consent that his daughter should
wed King Arthur. And Merlin returned with his Knights and esquires,
journeying partly by water and partly by land, till they drew near to
London.

When King Arthur heard of the coming of Merlin and of the Knights with
the Round Table he was filled with joy, and said to those that stood
about him, 'This news that Merlin has brought me is welcome indeed,
for I have long loved this fair lady, and the Round Table is dearer to
me than grea