HOW ARTHUR BECAME KING
Soon after the crowning of King Arthur, he was journeying through the land with Merlin, the wise old magician, when they met a knight who challenged Arthur to a combat. The two fought, and at last the knight wounded Arthur severely. In the end the king was victorious, but he had lost so much blood that he could go no farther. Merlin took him to a good hermit who healed his wound in three days. Then the king departed with Merlin, and as they were slowly riding along he said:
"I am still weak from the blood I have lost, and my sword is broken."
"Do not fear," said Merlin. "You shall lose no more blood and you shall have a good sword. Ride on trustfully with me."
They rode in silence until they came to a lake, large and quiet, and as beautiful in color as a pearl. While Arthur was looking at its beauty, he became suddenly aware of three tall women, with fair, sweet faces, standing on the bank.
"Who are they?" the king asked.
"Three queens who shall help you at your worst need," answered Merlin. "Now look out upon the lake again."
Arthur turned his eyes upon the lake and saw that in the distance a slight mist had arisen. Through it the figure of a lady glided over the surface of the water. Her robe appeared to be made of waves which streamed away in flowing curves from her body. Her head and shoulders seemed wrapped in foam tinted with the colors of the rainbow, and her arms glittered with sparkles which came from bubbles of water. She was so wonderful that Arthur looked at
her for some time before he asked softly:
"Who is she?"
"She is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlin. "She lives in a rockin the middle of the lake. See, she is coming toward us. Look at what is beyond her in the water."
Arthur looked and saw rising above the surface of the water an arm clothed in pure white. This arm held a huge cross-hilted sword, so brilliant that Arthur's eyes were dazzled.
When the Lady of the Lake approached nearer, he said:
"Damsel, what sword is that? I wish it were mine, for I have
none."
The lady smiled, saying:
"Step into yonder boat, row to the sword, and take it, together
with the scabbard."
