and alighted, and asked the priest what the castle was, and he
told them that it was the great Tintagel.

"And how is this ground all caved in about the castle?"

"Sir," saith the priest, "I will tell you. Sir," saith he, "King Uther
Pendragon, that was father of King Arthur, held a great court and
summoned all his barons. The King of this castle that then was here
was named Gorlois. He went to the court and took his wife with him,
that was named Ygerne, and she was the fairest dame in any kingdom.
King Uther sought acquaintance of her for her great beauty, and
regarded her and honoured her more than all the others of his court.
King Gorlois departed thence and made the Queen come back to this
castle for the dread that he had of King Uther Pendragon. King Uther
was very wroth with him, and commanded him to send back the Queen his
wife. King Godois said that he would not. Thereupon King Uther
Pendragon defied him, and then laid siege about this castle where the
Queen was. King Gorlois was gone to seek for succour. King Uther
Pendragon had Merlin with him of whom you have heard tell, that was so
crafty. He made him be changed into the semblance of King Gorlois, so
that he entered there within by Merlin's art and lay that night with
the Queen, and so begat King Arthur in a great hall that was next to
the enclosure there where this abysm is. And for this sin hath the
ground sunken in on this wise."

He cometh with them toward the chapel that was right fair, and had a
right rich sepulchre therein.

"Lords, in this sepulchre was placed the body of Merlin, but never
mought it be set inside the chapel, wherefore perforce it remained
outside. And know of a very truth that the body lieth not within the
sepulchre, for, so soon as it was set therein, it was taken out and
snatched away, either on God's behalf or the Enemy's, but which we know
not."

XI.

"Sir," saith King Arthur, "And what became of King Gorlois?"

"Sir." saith he, "The King slew him on the morrow of the night he lay
with his wife, and so forthwith espoused Queen Ygerne, and in such
manner as I tell you was King Arthur conceived in sin that is now the
best King in the world."

King Arthur hath heard this as concerning his birth that he knew not,
and is a little shamed thereof and confounded on account of Messire
Gawain and Lancelot. He himself marvelleth much thereof, and much it
misliketh him that the priest hath said so much. They lay the n