transcript
Speaker 1:
[00:01] Good evening, and welcome to The Sleepy Bookshelf, where we put down our worries from the day, and pick up a good book. I'm your host, Elizabeth, and it's lovely to have you here with me tonight. This evening, we will be beginning King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. It is believed to have been written in about 1470, and the version we will be reading was edited by Rupert S Holland and published in 1919. The original Le Monde d'Auteur comprised of several tales about the legendary King Arthur, Gwynevere, Lancelot, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table. This story includes the famous Sword in the Stone, the establishment of Camelot, and the quest for the Holy Grail. All hugely well-known moments and characters in literary history, although perhaps not everyone has read them firsthand. I can't wait to get started. If this is your first visit to The Sleepy Bookshelf, don't worry. If you drop off before I finish this part of the story, at the beginning of the next episode, I'll give you a thorough recap. That way, you can rest easy without worrying about missing anything important. Keep in mind that all the books on the show are selected and edited to help you fall asleep. We keep the plot lines, protagonists and antagonists, and moments of tension, but we remove anything that might be startling or upsetting, to ensure you always get a good night's rest. That's what makes this The Sleepy Bookshelf. As always, let's take some time to put the day behind us. Inhale, and have a nice, big stretch. And on your exhale, relax and allow your limbs to fall heavy. Let go of any tension you are holding in your muscles, and with each exhale, sink deeper and deeper into your bed. Let's take another deep breath, hold it for a moment, and then exhale completely, allowing any lingering thoughts to dissolve into the air. Now all you need to do is listen to the sound of my voice as you make your way into a peaceful sleep. And while you do that, I'll turn to the first pages of King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. The Coming of Arthur and The Founding of the Round Table. Chapter 1 Merlin Foretells the Birth of Arthur. King Vortigern, the usurper, sat upon his throne in London, when suddenly, upon a certain day, ran in a breathless messenger, and cried aloud, Arise, Lord King, for the enemy is come, even Ambrosius and Uther, upon whose throne thou sittest, and fooled twenty thousand with them.
Speaker 2:
[04:34] And they have soared by a great oath, Lord, to slay thee, ere this year be done. And even now they march towards thee as the north wind of winter for bitterness and haste.
Speaker 1:
[04:51] At those words, Vortigern's face grew white as ashes, and rising in confusion and disorder, he sent for all the best artificers and craftsmen and mechanics, and commanded them vehemently to go and build him straight away, in the furthest west of his lands, a great and strong castle, where he might fly for refuge and escape the vengeance of his master's sons. And moreover, cried he, let the work be done within a hundred days from now, for I will surely spare no life amongst you all. But no sooner were the walls raised up above the ground, than all their work was overwhelmed. And the same thing happening again, and yet again, all the workmen full of terror sought out the king, and threw themselves upon their faces before him, beseeching him to interfere and help them, or to deliver them from their dreadful work. Filled with mixed rage and fear, the king called for the astrologers and wizards, and took counsel with them what these things might be, and how to overcome them. The wizards worked their spells and incantations, and in the end declared that nothing but the blood of a youth, born without mortal father, smeared on the foundations of the castle, could avail to make it stand. Messengers were therefore sent forthwith through all the land to find, if it were possible, such a child. And as some of them went down a certain village street, they saw a band of lads fighting and quarreling, and heard them shout at one, Afont thou imp, affaunt, son of no mortal man? At that, the messengers looked steadfastly on the lad and asked who he was. One said his name was Merlin, another that his birth and parentage were known by no man, a third that the foul fiend alone was his father. Hearing the things, the officers seized Merlin and carried him before the king by force. But no sooner was he brought to him than he asked in a loud voice for what cause he was thus dragged there. My magicians, answered Vortigaun, told me to seek out a man that had no human father, and to sprinkle my castle with his blood that it may stand.
Speaker 2:
[09:16] Order those magicians, said Merlin, to come before me, and I will convict them of a lie.
Speaker 1:
[09:25] The king was astonished at his words, but commanded the magicians to come and sit down before Merlin, who cried to them.
Speaker 2:
[09:48] But tell me now, rather, what there is below that ground, for something there is surely underneath that would not suffer the tower to stand.
Speaker 1:
[10:01] The wizards at these words began to fear and made no answer.
Speaker 2:
[10:08] Then said Merlin to the king, I pray, lord, that workmen may be ordered to dig deep down into the ground, till they shall come to a great pool of water.
Speaker 1:
[10:21] This then was done, and the pool discovered, far beneath the surface of the ground. Then, turning again to the magicians, Merlin said, Tell me now, false sycophants.
Speaker 2:
[10:40] What is there underneath that pool?
Speaker 1:
[10:43] But they were silent.
Speaker 2:
[10:46] Then said he to the king, Command this pool to be drained, and at the bottom shall be found two dragons, great and huge, which now are sleeping, but which at night awake and fight and tear each other. At their great struggle all will the ground shakes and trembles, and so cast down thy towers, which, therefore, never yet could find secure foundations.
Speaker 1:
[11:18] The king was amazed at these words, but commanded the pool to be forthwith drained, and surely at the bottom of it did they presently discover the two dragons, fast asleep, as Merlin had declared. But Vortigaunt sat upon the brink of the pool till night to see what else would happen. Then those two dragons, one of which was white, the other red, rose up and came near one another, and began a sore fight, and cast forth fire with their breath. But the white dragon had the advantage, and chased the other to the end of the lake. When their battle was done, the king desired Merlin to tell him what it meant. Whereat he, bursting into tears, cried out this prophecy, which first foretold the coming of King Arthur.
Speaker 2:
[13:02] Woe to the red dragon, which figureth the British nation, for his banishment cometh quickly. His lurking hole shall be seized by the white dragon, the Saxon, whom thou, O king, has called to the land. The mountains shall be leveled as the valleys, and the rivers of the valleys shall run blood. Cities shall be burned, and churches laid in ruins. Till at length the oppressed shall turn for a season and prevail against the strangers. For a bore of cornwall shall arise and rend them, and trample their necks beneath his feet. The island shall be subject to his power, and he shall take the forests of Gaul. The house of Romulus shall dread him, all the world shall fear him, and his end shall no man know. He shall be immortal in the mouths of the people, and his works shall be food to those that tell them. But as for thee, O Vortigaun, flee thou the sons of Constantine, for they shall burn thee in thy tower. For thine own ruin wasst thou traitor to their father, and didst bring the Saxon heathens to the land. Heralius and Uther are even now upon thee to revenge their father's murder, and the brood of the White Dragon shall waste thy country and shall lick thy blood. Find out some refuge if thy wilt, but who may escapeth the doom of God?
Speaker 1:
[15:05] The king heard all this, trembling greatly, and convicted of his sins, said nothing in reply. Only he hasted the builders of his tower by day and night, and rested not till he had fled thereto. In the meantime, Aurelius, the rightful king, was hailed with joy by the Britons, who flocked to his standard, and prayed to be led against the Saxons. But he, till he had first killed Vortigaun, would begin no other war. He marched, therefore, to Cambria, and came before the tower which the usurper had built. Then, crying out to all his knights, avenge ye on him who hath ruined Britain and slain my father and your king. He rushed with many thousands at the castle walls, but being driven back again, and yet again, at length he thought of fire, and ordered blazing brands to be cast into the building from all sides. These, finding soon a proper fuel, ceased not to rage, till, spreading to a mighty conflagration, they burned down the tower, and fought again within it. Then did Aurelius turn his strength against Hengist and the Saxons, and defeating them in many places, weakened their power for a long season, so that the land had peace. Anon the King, making journeys to and fro, restoring ruined churches and creating order, came to the monastery near Salisbury, where all those British knights lay buried, who had been slain there by the treachery of Hengist. For when in former times, Hengist had made a solemn truce with Vortigaen, to meet in peace and settle terms, whereby himself and all his Saxons should depart from Britain. The Saxon soldiers carried every one of them beneath his garment, a long dagger, and at a given signal fell upon the Britons, and slew them to the number of nearly five hundred. The sight of the place where the dead lay moved Aurelius to great sorrow, and he cast about in his mind how to make a worthy tomb over so many noble martyrs who had died there for their country. When he had in vain consulted many craftsmen and builders, he sent by the advice of the Archbishop for Merlin and asked him what to do. If you would honor the burying place of these men, said Merlin, with an everlasting monument, send for the giant's dance, which is a killer out, a mountain in Ireland. But there is a structure of stone there which none of this age could raise without a perfect knowledge of the arts. At these words of Merlin, Aurelius burst into laughter and said, How is it possible to remove such vast stones from so great a distance as if Britain also has no stones fit for the work? What I have said is true, for those stones are mystical and have healing virtues. The giants of old brought them from the furthest coast of Africa, and placed them in Ireland, while they lived in that country. And their design was to make baths in them, for use in time of grievous illness. For if they washed the stones and put the sick into the water, it certainly healed them, as also it did them that were wounded in battle. And there is no stone among them but have the same virtue still. When the Britons heard this, they resolved to send for the stones, and to make war upon the people of Ireland if they offered to withhold them. So, when they had chosen Uther, the king's brother, for their chief, they set sail to the number of 15,000 men, and came to Ireland. There, Gilimanius, the king, withstood them, fiercely. And not till after a great battle could they approach the giant stance, the sight of which filled them with joy and admiration. But when they sought to move the stones, the strength of all the army was in vain. Until Merlin, laughing at their failures, contrived machines of wondrous cunning, which took them down with ease, and placed them in the ships. When they had brought the whole to Salisbury, Aurelius, with the crown upon his head, kept for four days the feast of Pentecost with royal pomp. Soon thereafter, it befell that Aurelius was slain by poison at Winchester, and was himself buried with the giant's stance. At the same time came forth a comet of amazing size and brightness, darting out a beam at the end whereof was a cloud of fire, shaped like a dragon, from whose mouth went out two rays, one stretching over Gaul, the other ending in seven lesser rays over the Irish Sea. At the appearance of this star, a great dread fell upon the people, and Uther, marching into Cambria against the son of Vortigaun, himself was very troubled to learn what it might mean. Then Merlin, being called before him, cried with a loud voice, Oh mighty loss!
Speaker 3:
[23:53] Oh stricken Britain! Alas, the great prince is gone from us. Aurelius Ambrosius is dead, whose death will be ours also unless God help us. Haste therefore noble Uther to destroy the enemy. The victory shall be thine, and thou shalt be king of all Britain.
Speaker 1:
[24:18] For the star with the fiery dragon signifies thyself, and the ray over goal portends that thou shalt have a son, most mighty, whom all those kingdoms shall obey which the ray covers. Thus, for the second time, did Merlin foretell the coming of King Arthur. And Uther, when he was made king, remembered Merlin's words, and caused two dragons to be made in gold, in likeness of the dragon he had seen in the star. One of these he gave to Winchester Cathedral, and had the other carried into all his wars before him. Whence he was ever after called Uther Pendragon, or the Dragon's Head. Now, when Uther Pendragon had passed through all the land, and settled it, and even voyaged into all the countries of the Scots, and tamed the fierceness of that rebel people, he came to London, and ministered justice there. And it befell at a certain great banquet and high feast, which the king made at Eastertide. There came with many other earls, and barons, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, and his wife, Igerna, who was the most famous beauty in all Britain. And soon thereafter, Gorlois being slain in battle, Uther determined to make Igerna his own wife. But in order to do this, and enable him to come to her, for she was shut up in the high castle of Tintagil, on the furthest coast of Cornwall, the king sent for Merlin to take council with him, and to pray his help. This, therefore, Merlin promised him on one condition, namely, that the king should give him up the first son born of the marriage. For Merlin, by his art, foreknew that this first born should be the long-wished fore-prince, King Arthur. When Uther, therefore, was at length happily wedded, Merlin came to the castle on a certain day and said, Sir, thou must now provide thee for the nourishing of thy child. I know a lord of thine in this land, said Merlin, who is a man both true and faithful. Let him have the nourishing of the child. His name is Sir Hector, and he hath fair possessions both in England and in Wales. When therefore the child is born, let him be delivered unto me, unchristened, at yonder Postengate, and I will bestow him in the care of this good night. So when the child was born, the king bid two knights and two ladies to take it, bound in rich cloth of gold, and deliver it to a poor man whom they should discover at the Postengate. And the child, being delivered thus to Merlin, who himself took the guise of a poor man, was carried by him to a holy priest, and christened by the name of Arthur, and then was taken to Sir Hector's house, and nourished at Sir Hector's wife's own breasts. And in the same house, he remained previlly for many years, no man so ever knowing where he was, save Merlin and the king. And on it befell that the king was seized by a lingering distemper, and the Saxon heathens, taking their occasion, came back from over sea and swarmed upon the land, wasting it with fire and sword. When Uther heard thereof, he fell into a greater rage than his weakness could bear, and commanded all his nobles to come before him, that he might upbraid them for their cowardice. And when he had sharply and hotly rebuked them, he swore that he himself, nigh unto death although he lay, would lead them forth against the enemy. Then, causing a horse litter to be made, in which he might be carried, for he was too faint and weak to ride, he went up with all his army swiftly against the Saxons. But they, when they heard that Uther was coming in a litter, disdained to fight him, saying it would be shame for brave men to fight with one half dead. So they retired into their city, and as it were in scorn of danger, left the gates wide open. But Uther, straight away commanding his men to assault the town, they did so without loss of time, and had already reached the gates when the Saxons, repenting too late of their haughty pride, rushed forth to the defense. The battle raged till night, and was begun again next day. But at last, their leaders, Octa and Jossa, being slain, the Saxons turned their backs and fled, leaving the Britons a full triumph. The King at this felt so great joy that whereas before he could scarce raise himself without help, he now sat upright in his litter by himself and said with a laughing and merry face, They called me the half-dead king, and so indeed I was, but victory to me half-dead is better than their feet and their best health, but to die with honor is far better than to live disgraced. But the Saxons, although thus defeated, were still ready for war. Uther would have pursued them, but his illness had by now so grown that his knights and barons kept him from the adventure. Whereat, the enemy took courage, and left nothing undone to destroy the land, until, descending to the vilest treachery, they resolved to kill the king by poison. To this end, as he lay sick at Verilam, they sent and poisoned stealthily a spring of clear water, whence he was wont to drink daily. And so, on the very next day, he was taken with the pains of death, as were also a hundred others after him, before the villainy was discovered, and heaps of earth thrown over the well. The knights and barons, full of sorrow, now took council together, and came to Merlin for his help, to learn the king's will before he died, for he was, by this time, speechless. Sirs, there is no remedy, said Merlin. And God's will must be done. Then Uther Pendragon turned him about and said in the hearing of them all, God's blessing a mine be upon him. I bid him pray for my soul and also that he claim my crown or forfeit all my blessing. And with those words, he died. Then came together all the bishops and the clergy and great multitudes of people, all and bewailed the king. Chapter 2 The Crowning of Arthur and the Sword Excalibur Now, Arthur, the prince, had all this time been nourished in Sir Hector's house as his own son, and was fair, and tall, and comely, being of the age of fifteen years, great in strength, gentle in manner, and accomplished in all exercises proper for the training of a knight. But as yet, he knew not of his father, for Merlin had so dealt that none, save Uther and himself, knew all about him. And on, the chief lords and princes set forth each to his own land, and raising armed men and multitudes of followers, determined every one to gain the crown for himself. For they said in their hearts, If there be any such son at all as he of whom this wizard forced the king to speak, who were we that a beardless boy should have rule over us? Then Merlin went to Bryce, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and advised him to require all the earls and barons of the realm, and all the knights and gentlemen-at-arms to come to him at London before Christmas, under pain of cursing, that they might learn the will of heaven who should be king. This, therefore, the Archbishop did, and upon Christmas Eve, were met together in London all the greatest princes, lords, and barons, and long before day they prayed in St. Paul's Church, and the Archbishop besought heaven for a sign who should be lawful king of all the realm. And as they prayed, there was seen in the churchyard, set straight before the doorways of the church, a huge square stone, having a naked sword stuck in the midst of it. At this, all the people wondered greatly. And when mass was over, the nobles, knights and princes ran out eagerly from the church to see the stone and the sword. When all had tried in vain, the archbishop declared the man whom heaven had chosen was not yet there.
Speaker 3:
[40:13] But God, said he, will doubtless make him known ere many days.
Speaker 1:
[40:22] So ten knights were chosen, being men of high renown, to watch and keep the sword. And there was proclamation made through all the land that whosoever would had leave and liberty to try and pull it from the stone. But though great multitudes of people came, both gentle and simple, for many days no man could ever move the sword a hair's breadth from its place. Now, at the New Year's Eve, a great tournament was to be held in London, which the Archbishop had devised to keep together lords and commons, lest they should grow estranged in the troublous and unsettled times. To the witch tournament there came with many other knights, Sir Hector, Arthur's foster father, who had great possessions near to London. And with him came his son, Sir Key, but recently made knight, to take his part in the jousting. And young Arthur, also to witness all the sports and fighting. But as they rode towards the jousts, Sir Key found suddenly he had no sword, for he had left it at his father's house. And turning to Arthur, he prayed him to ride back and fetch it for him. I will, with the goodwill, said Arthur, and rode fast back after the sword. So he rode and came to the churchyard, and delighting from his horse, he tied him to the gate and went to the pavilion, which was pitched near the stone, wherein abode the ten knights who watched and kept it. But he found no knights there, for all were gone to see the jousting. Then he took the stone by its handle, and lightly and fiercely he pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode, until he came to Sir Key and delivered him the sword. But as soon as Sir Key saw it, he knew well it was the sword of the stone, and riding swiftly to his father, he cried out, Lo, here, sir, is the sword of the stone, wherefore it is I who must be king of all this land. When Sir Hector saw the sword, he turned back straight with Arthur and Sir Key, and came to the churchyard. And there, alighting, they went, all three, into the church, and Sir Key was sworn to tell truly how he came by the sword. Then he confessed it was his brother Arthur who had brought it to him. Whereat Sir Hector, turning to young Arthur, asked him, How gottest thou the sword? Sir, said he, I will tell you. When I went home to fetch my brother's sword, I found nobody to deliver it to me, for all were abroad, to the Jouse. Yet I was loath to leave my brother swordless, and, bethinking me of this one, I came hither eagerly to fetch it for him, and pulled it out of the stone without any pain. Then, said Sir Hector, much amazed, and looking steadfastly on Arthur, if this indeed be thus, tis thou who shalt be king of all this land, and God will have it so, for none but he who should be rightful lord of Britain might ever draw this sword forth from that stone. But let me now, with mine own eyes, see thee put it back, the sword into the place, and draw it forth again. That is no mastery, said Arthur, and straight away set it in the stone. And then Sir Hector pulled at it himself, and after him, Sir Key, with all his might, but both of them in vain. Then Arthur, reaching forth his hand, and grasping at the pommel, pulled it out easily and at once. Then fell Sir Hector down upon his knees, upon the ground before young Arthur, and Sir Key also with him, and straight away did him homage as their sovereign lord. But Arthur cried aloud, Alas, my own dear father and my brother, why kneel ye thus to me? Nay, my lord Arthur, answered then Sir Hector. We are of no blood kinship with thee, and little though I thought how high thy kin might be, yet wast thou never more than foster child of mine. Then he told him all he knew about his infancy, and how a stranger had delivered him, with a great sum of gold, into his hands, to be brought up, and nourished as his own born child, and then had disappeared. But when young Arthur heard of it, he fell upon Sir Hector's neck, and wept, and made great lamentation.
Speaker 2:
[47:03] For now, said he, I have in one day lost my father, and my mother, and my brother.
Speaker 1:
[47:10] Sir, said Sir Hector presently, when thou shalt be made king, be good, and gracious unto me and mine.
Speaker 2:
[47:21] If not, said Arthur, I were no true man's son at all. For thou art he in all the world to whom I owe the most. And my good lady, my mother, thy wife, hath ever kept and fostered me as though I were her own. So if it be God's will that I be king hereafter, as thou sayest, desire of me whatever thing thou wilt, and I will do it.
Speaker 1:
[47:51] And God forbid that I should fail thee in it. I will but pray, replied Sir Hector. That thou wilt make my son Sir Key thy foster brother, censor shong of all the lands. That shall he be, said Arthur.
Speaker 2:
[48:09] And never shall another hold that office save thy son, while he and I do live.
Speaker 1:
[48:16] And on they left the church, and went to the archbishop to tell them that the sword had been achieved. And when he saw the sword in Arthur's hand, he set a day, and summoned all the princes, knights, and barons to meet again at St. Paul's Church and see the will of heaven signified. So when they came together, the sword was put back in the stone and all tried, from the greatest to the least, to move it. But there before them, all not one could take it out, save Arthur only. But then befell a great confusion and dispute, for some cried out it was the will of heaven and long live King Arthur. But many more were full of wrath and said, What? But when Candlemus was come, Arthur alone again pulled forth the sword, though more than ever came to win it, and the barons, sorely vexed and angry, put it in delay till Easter. But as he had spared before, so he did at Easter, and the barons yet once more contrived delays till Pentecost. But now the Archbishop, fully seeing God's will, called together by Merlin's council a band of knights and gentlemen at arms, and set them about Arthur, to keep him safely till the feast of Pentecost. And when at the feast, Arthur still again alone prevailed to move the sword, the people all with one accord cried out, Long live King Arthur! We will have no more delay nor any other king, for so it is God's will. And we will slay whoso resisteth him and Arthur. Then he full sweetly and majestically pardoned them, and taking in his hand the sword, he offered it upon the high altar of the church. And on was he solemnly knighted with great pomp by the most famous knight there present, and the crown was placed upon his head. And having taken oath to all the people, lords and commons, to be true king and deal in justice only until his life's end, he received homage and service from all the barons who held lands, and castles from the crown. Then he made Sir Key, High Steward of England, and Sir Badawan of Britain, Constable, and Sir Oedipus Chamberlain. And after this, with all his court, and a great retinue of knights and armed men, he journeyed into Wales, and was crowned again in the old city of Carlean upon Usk. Meanwhile, those kings and barons who had so long delayed him from the crown, met together, and went up to the coronation feast at Carlean, as if to do him homage. And there they ate, and drank such things as were set before them at the royal banquet, sitting with the others in the great hall. But when after the banquet, Arthur began, according to the ancient royal custom, to bestow great boons and fives on whomever he would. They all, with one accord, rose up, and they scornfully refused his gifts, crying that they would take nothing from a beardless boy come of low or unknown birth, but would instead give him good gifts of hard sword strokes between neck and shoulders. Whereat, arose a deadly tumult in the hall, and every man there made him ready to fight. But Arthur leapt up as a flame of fire against them, and all his knights and barons, drawing their swords, rushed after him upon them, and began a full, sore battle. And presently, the king's party prevailed, and drove the rebels from the hall and from the city, closing the gates behind them. And King Arthur break his sword upon them in his eagerness and rage. But amongst them were six kings of great renown and might, who more than all raged against Arthur and determined to destroy him, namely King Lot, King Nantes, King Urien, King Carrados, King Ida, and King Anguisant. These six, therefore, joining their armies together, laid close siege to the city of Carlyon, wherefrom King Arthur had so shamefully driven them. And after fifteen days, Merlin came suddenly into their camp and asked them what this treason meant. Then he declared to them that Arthur was no base adventurer, but King Uther's son, whom they were bound to serve and honor, even though heaven had not vouchsafed the wondrous miracle of the sword. Some of the kings, when they heard Merlin speak thus, marveled and believed him. But others, as King Lot, laughed him and his words to scorn, and mocked him for a conjurer and wizard. But it was agreed with Merlin that Arthur should come forth and speak with the kings. So he went forth to them to the city gate, and with him the Archbishop and Merlin and Sir Key, Sir Brastius, and a great company of others. And he spared them not in his speech, but spoke to them as king and chieftain, telling them plainly he would make them all bow to him if he lived, unless they choose to do him homage there and then. And so they parted in great wrath, and each side armed in haste.
Speaker 3:
[56:48] What will ye do?
Speaker 1:
[56:50] said Merlin to the kings. Ye had best hold your hands, for were ye ten times as many, ye should not prevail. Shall we be afraid of a dream reader? quoth King Lott in scorn. With that, Merlin vanished away and came to King Arthur. So they rode out that night, till they came to a fair and broad lake, and in the midst of it, King Arthur saw an arm thrust up, clothed in white Samite and holding a great sword in the hand. Said Merlin. Then saw they a damsel floating on the lake in the moonlight. What damsel is that, said the king. The lady of the lake, said Merlin, for upon this lake there is a rock, and on the rock a noble palace, where she abideth. And she will come towards thee presently, when thou shalt ask her courteously for the sword. Therewith, the damsel came to King Arthur and saluted him, and he saluted her and said, Lady, what sword is that the arm holdeth above the water?
Speaker 2:
[59:19] and row thyself unto the sword, and take it, and the scabbard with thee. And I will ask my gift of thee when I see my time.
Speaker 1:
[59:37] So King Arthur and Merlin alighted, and tied their horses to two trees, and went into the barge. And when they came to the sword that the hand held, King Arthur took it by the handle and bore it with him. And the arm and hand went down under the water. And so they came back to land and rode again to Carlean.