When his brother Uther took his place, Merlin the enchanter advisedhim to paint a dragon on a flag and bear it always before him to bringgood fortune, and this he always did. Then Merlin said to him, "Wilt thoudo nothing more on the Plain of Salisbury, to honor thy brother?" The Kingsaid, "What shall be done?" Then Merlin said, "I will cause a thing to bedone that will endure to the world's end." Then he bade Utherpendragon, ashe called the new king, to send many ships and men to Ireland, and heshowed him stones such as seemed far too large and heavy to bring, but heplaced them by his magic art upon the boats and bore them to England; andhe devised means to transport them and to set them on end, "for they shallseem fairer so than if they were lying." And there they are to this day.This was the way in which Merlin would sometimes obtain the favor andadmiration of young ladies. There was a maiden of twelve named Nimiane orVivian, the daughter of King Dionas, and Merlin changed himself into theappearance of "a fair young squire," that he might talk with her beside afountain, described in the legends as "a well, whereof the springs werefair and the water clear and the gravel so fair that it seemed of finesilver." By degrees he made acquaintance with the child, who told him whoshe was, adding, "And what are you, fair, sweet friend?" "Damsel," saidMerlin, "I am a travelling squire, seeking for my master, who has taughtme wonderful things.
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