ncelot with this sword shall slay Sir Gawaine, the
man he loves best in the world." All this he wrote in the pommel of the
sword.

Then Merlin built to the island a bridge of steel and iron that was but
half a foot broad, and ordained that no man should cross that bridge
unless he were of virtuous life and free from treachery or evil thoughts
and deeds.

This done, Merlin by magical skill fixed Balin's sword in a block of
marble as great as a millstone, and set it afloat upon the stream in
such a way that the sword always stood upright above the water. And for
years this stone swam down the stream, for no man could take it from the
water or draw the sword, until in time it came to the city of Camelot
(which is in English Winchester), where the sword was drawn, and many
strange things followed thereupon, as shall be hereafter related.

Soon after this was done, Merlin came to King Arthur and told him the
story of the dolorous stroke which Balin had given to King Pellam, and
of the marvellous battle Balin and Balan had fought, and how they were
buried in one tomb.

"Alas!" cried Arthur, "I never heard a sadder tale. And much is the loss
to knighthood and chivalry, for in the world I know not two such
knights."

Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two brethren born in
Northumberland, good knights.

CHAPTER V.

MERLIN'S FOLLY AND FATE.

And now we have again a tale of disaster to tell, namely, how Merlin the
wise fell into love's dotage, and through folly brought himself to a
living death, so that thenceforth he appeared no more upon the earth,
and his wise counsels were lost to Arthur and his knights.

For the old magician, who had so long kept free from love's folly,
became besotted with the damsel named Nimue, she whom King Pellinore had
brought to the court on his quest at Arthur's marriage.

Merlin quite lost his wits and wisdom through his mad passion for this
young lady, to whom he would give no rest, but followed her wherever she
went. The shrewd damsel, indeed, encouraged her doting lover, for he was
ready to teach her all the secrets of his art, so that in time she
learned from him so much of his craft that she became skilled in
necromancy beyond all enchantresses of her time.

The wise magician knew well that his end was at hand, and that the woman
whom he loved would prove his ruin, but his doting passion was such that
he had no strength of mind to resist. He came thereupon unto King