" "And what master is that?" she asked. "It is one,"he said, "who has taught me so much that I could here erect for you acastle, and I could make many people outside to attack it and inside todefend it; nay, I could go upon this water and not wet my feet, and Icould make a river where water had never been.""These are strange feats," said the maiden, "and I wish that I could thusdisport myself." "I can do yet greater things," said Merlin, "and no onecan devise anything which I cannot do, and I can also make it to endureforever." "Indeed," said the girl, "I would always love you if you couldshow me some such wonders." "For your love," he answered, "I will show yousome of these wondrous plays, and I will ask no more of you." Then Merlinturned and described a circle with a wand and then came and sat by heragain at the fountain. At noon she saw coming out of the forest manyladies and knights and squires, holding each other by the hand and singingin the greatest joy; then came men with timbrels and tabours and dancing,so that one could not tell one-fourth part of the sports that went on.Then Merlin caused an orchard to grow, with all manner of fruit andflowers; and the maiden cared for nothing but to listen to their singing,"Truly love begins in joy, but ends in grief." The festival continued frommid-day to even-song; and King Dionas and his courtiers came out to seeit, and marvelled whence these strange people came.
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