Merlin

The wizard Merlin is the hero of many legends. He was sometimes called Merlin Sylvester or Merddin Wyallt, and is said to have lived in Caer-fyrddin, Carmarthenshire. Tales of Merlin were written in early times. King Vortigern wished to build a city and fortress in the kingdom of Gwynedd, a district of mid-Wales. The King’s wise men led him to a wild region near the summit of Snowdon. “Command, O King,” they cried, “that masons and carpenters set to work to collect the stone and wood and order them to build. The King did as they advised, but a strange thing happened. All the materials that the workmen had collected disappeared in the night. The wise men took council together. Their leader spoke to King Vortigern, advising him to break the evil spell; “You must find a fatherless child. Put him to death, and sprinkle with his blood the ground on which the fortress is to be built. If you neglect to do this, the fortress will never be built.” King Vortigern paid heed to the words. Messengers travelled far and wide to seek the fatherless child. At length, they came to a field near Carmarthen, where a group of boys were playing football. “No good will come of you, boy without a father.” Cried one of the boys. The messenger beckoned t the boy. They questioned him and then carried him away to the king. When the king’s men were ready to kill the boy, Merlin laughed. He spoke in a clear voice, and told them that his death would not help them. Then turning to King Vortigern he said; “Command your workmen to dig into the ground, and you will find a pond which causes the foundation of your fortress to sink.” The workmen dug deep and came to the pond. “Dig deeper, you will find something strange.” Cried Merlin. The workmen continued to dig until they came to two great hollow stones. “A strange sight, in truth,” exclaimed King Vortigern. “Come nearer, and examine them,” said Merlin. Inside, were two dragons asleep. When they awoke, they fought. “What means this?” asked the king in alarm. Merlin turned aside to hide his tears. “It means that two nations will fight. The Yellow dragon is the Saxon, the Red Dragon is the Celt.” Said Merlin. “Which will win?” cried King Vortigern. But Merlin only smiled the strange mysterious smile of a wizard, and the two dragons were lost to sight in a heavy mist.

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