Even in Homer there isno one described, except the gods, as having such authority over a ruler.Merlin came and went as he pleased and under any form he might please. Heforetold the result of a battle, ordered up troops, brought aid from adistance. He rebuked the bravest knights for cowardice; as when Ban, Bors,and Gawain had concealed themselves behind some bushes during a fight. "Isthis," he said to King Arthur and Sir Bors, "the war and the help that youdo to your friends who have put themselves in adventure of death in many aneed, and ye come hither to hide for cowardice." Then the legend says,"When the king understood the words of Merlin, he bowed his head forshame," and the other knights acknowledged their fault. Then Merlin tookthe dragon banner which he had given them and said that he would bear ithimself; "for the banner of a king," he said, "should not be hid inbattle,--but borne in the foremost front." Then Merlin rode forth andcried with a loud voice, "Now shall be shown who is a knight." And theknights, seeing Merlin, exclaimed that he was "a full noble man"; and"without fail," says the legend, "he was full of marvellous powers andstrength of body and great and long stature; but brown he was and lean andrough of hair." Then he rode in among the enemy on a great black horse;and the golden dragon which he had made and had attached to the bannergave out from its throat such a flaming fire that the air was black withits smoke; and all King Arthur's men began to fight again more stoutly,and Arthur himself held the bridle reins in his left hand, and so wieldedhis sword with his right as to slay two hundred men.
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