Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066; Middle Ages -- Sources
For this purpose he summoned together several carpenters and masons, and
commanded them to employ the utmost of their art, in contriving some new
structure, for a lasting monument to those great men. But they, in
diffidence of their own skill, refusing to undertake it, Tremounus,
archbishop of the City of Legions, went to the king, and said, "If any
one living is able to execute your commands, Merlin, the prophet of
Vortigern, is the man. In my opinion there is not in all your kingdom a
person of a brighter genius, either in predicting future events, or in
mechanical contrivances. Order him to come to you, and exercise his
skill in the work which you design." Whereupon Aurelius, after he had
asked a great many questions concerning him, despatched several
messengers into the country to find him out, and bring him to him. After
passing through several provinces, they found him in the country of the
Gewisseans, at the fountain of Galabes, which he frequently resorted to.
As soon as they had delivered their message to him, they conducted him
to the king, who received him with joy, and, being curious to hear some
of his wonderful speeches, commanded him to prophesy. Merlin made
answer: "Mysteries of this kind are not to be revealed but when there is
the greatest necessity for it. If I should pretend to utter them for
ostentation or diversion, the spirit that instructs me would be silent,
and would leave me when I should have occasion for it." When he had made
the same refusal to all the rest present, the king would not urge him
any longer about his predictions, but spoke to him concerning the
monument which he designed. "If you are desirous," said Merlin, "to
honour the burying-place of these men with an everlasting monument, send
for the Giant's Dance, which is in Killaraus, a mountain in Ireland. For
there is a structure of stones there, which none of this age could
raise, without a profound knowledge of the mechanical arts. They are
stones of a vast magnitude and wonderful quality; and if they can be
placed here, as they are there, round this spot of ground, they will
stand for ever."
CHAP. XI.--_Uther Pendragon is appointed with Merlin to bring over the
Giant's Dance._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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