Then the king sat in a study, and bade his men fetch his horse as fast as ever they might.

Right so came by him Merlin like a child of fourteen year of age, and saluted the king, and asked him why he was so pensive.

I may well be pensive, said the king, for I have seen the marvellest sight that ever I saw.

That know I well, said Merlin, as well as thyself, and of all thy thoughts, but thou art but a fool to take thought, for it will not amend thee.

Also I know what thou art, and who was thy father, and of whom thou wert begotten; King Uther Pendragon was thy father, and begat thee on Igraine.