Before history began he ruled inBritain, then a delightful island of flowery meadows. His subjects were"small people" (fairies), and their lives were a continued festival ofsinging, playing, and enjoyment. The sage ruled them as a father, hisfamiliar servant being a tame wolf. He also possessed a kingdom, beneaththe waves, where everything was beautiful, the inhabitants being charminglittle beings, with waves of long, fair hair falling on their shoulders incurls. Fruits and milk composed the food of all, meat and fish being heldin abhorrence. The only want felt was of the full light of the sun, which,coming to them through the water, was but faint, and cast no shadow.Here was the famous workshop where Merlin forged the enchanted sword socelebrated by the bards, and where the stones were found by which alonethe sword could be sharpened. Three British heroes were fated to wieldthis blade in turn; viz., Lemenisk the leaper (_Leim_, meaning leap),Utherpendragon, and his son King Arthur. By orders of this last hero, whenmortally wounded, it was flung into the sea, where it will remain till hereturns to restore the rule of his country to the faithful British race.The bard once amused and puzzled the court by entering the hall as ablind boy led by a greyhound, playing on his harp, and demanding asrecompense to be allowed to carry the king's banner in an approachingbattle.
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