Kay, your
foster brother, the steward of all your lands."

"That shall be done," said Arthur, "and more. He shall have that
office as long as I live."

Then the three went to the Archbishop of Canterbury and related
to him the story of Merlin and all that had occurred. At his
request they told no one else.

At the command of the archbishop on Twelfth day, which is the
sixth of January, all the great lords assembled in the churchyard.
Each tried to draw forth the sword, and each failed. Then the
untitled people came and tried. Everyone failed until at last
Arthur stepped forward. He hardly more than touched the sword
when it came away in his hand.

At this many of the great lords were angry.

[Illustration: _"He hardly more than touched the sword"_]

"He is but a boy," they said, "and not of high blood."

They refused to believe the story of his birth told by Merlin and
Sir Hector. And because of all the quarreling, it was decided to
have another trial at Candlemas, which fell in the month of
February. Again Arthur was victorious. Then the great lords
decreed that there should be another trial at Easter, and again
Arthur succeeded. Next they decided to have a final trial at the
feast of the Pentecost, which fell in May.

Meanwhile, Merlin advised the archbishop to see that Arthur had a
bodyguard. So the archbishop selected several knights whom the
former king, Uther, had trusted. These were Sir Ulfius and Sir
Brastias and Sir Bedivere; Sir Geraint and Sir Hector and Sir Kay
were also chosen. These brave men formed a bodyguard for Arthur
until the feast of the Pentecost.

At this time Arthur again drew out the sword from the anvil. Then
the common people, who had so far let the lords have their will,
cried out:

"We will have Arthur for our king, and we will have no more
delay, for we see that it is God's will that he shall be our
ruler."

Then all the people knelt down, high and low, rich and poor, and
begged Arthur's pardon for the delay he had undergone. Arthur
forgave them, and taking his sword, reverently placed it on the
great altar beside which the archbishop stood. This was a sign
that he meant to dedicate himself and his sword to God.

Afterward the crowning was held, and all the brave men and fair
ladies in the land were present. The lords wore beautiful robes
of velvet and ermine, with gold and jewels on their breast-plates.
The ladies' robes were of purple and white and scarlet and gold
and