Some of the many legends place thistower in the forest of Broceliande; while others transport it afar to amagic island, where Merlin dwells with his nine bards, and where Vivianalone can come or go through the magic walls. Some legends describe it asan enclosure "neither of iron nor steel nor timber nor of stone, but ofthe air, without any other thing but enchantment, so strong that it maynever be undone while the world endureth." Here dwells Merlin, it is said,with nine favorite bards who took with them the thirteen treasures ofEngland. These treasures are said to have been:--1. A sword; if any man drew it except the owner, it burst into a flamefrom the cross to the point. All who asked it received it; but because ofthis peculiarity all shunned it.2. A basket; if food for one man were put into it, when opened it wouldbe found to contain food for one hundred.3. A horn; what liquor soever was desired was found therein.4. A chariot; whoever sat in it would be immediately wheresoever he wished.5. A halter, which was in a staple below the feet of a bed; and whateverhorse one wished for in it, he would find it there.6. A knife, which would serve four-and twenty men at meat all at once.7. A caldron; if meat were put into it to boil for a coward, it wouldnever be boiled; but if meat were put in it for a brave man, it would beboiled forthwith.
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