merlin

So that the realm has gone to wrack: but now,

_ This year, when Merlin (for his hour had come)

Brought Arthur forth, and set him in the hall,

The informant here is the evil and insidious Vivien, the

story of whose beguilement of Merlin fills the next Idyll.

Her talk is crowded with references to the corruption of

Deliver’d at a secret postern-gate

To Merlin, to be holden far apart —

Until his hour should come; because the lords

} And each is twice as old as I; and one

Is Merlin, the wise man that ever served

) King Uther thro’ his magic art; and one

Her to restraine, and give her good reliefe

Through hope of those, which Merlin had

her told

are: "Children of the Night", 1897; "Captain Craig", 1902; "The Town

Down the River", 1910; "The Man against the Sky", 1916; "Merlin", 1917;

and "Launcelot", 1920. The last-named volume was awarded a prize of five

character quoted in Shakespeare's _King Lear_, iii. 2. 81. Shakespeare

calls his lines _Merlin's_ prophecy; and it has pleased the editors of

Chaucer to call the first six lines _Chaucer's_ Prophecy[234]. They appear

Never on such a night have lovers met, 170

Since Merlin paid his Demon all the monstrous debt.