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consuls and princes of the kingdom together at York, where he gave
orders for the restoration of the churches, which the Saxons had
destroyed. He himself undertook the rebuilding of the metropolitan
church of that city, as also the other cathedral churches in that province.
After fifteen days, when he had settled workmen in several places, he
went to London, which city had not escaped the fury of the enemy. He
beheld with great sorrow the destruction made in it, and recalled the
remainder of the citizens from all parts, and began the restoration of it.
Here he settled the affairs of the whole kingdom, revived the laws,
restored the right heirs to the possessions of their ancestors; and those
estates, whereof the heirs had been lost in the late grievous calamity, he
distributed among his fellow soldiers. In these important concerns, of
restoring the nation to its ancient state, repairing the churches,
re-establishing peace and law, and settling the administration of justice,
was his time wholly employed. From hence he went to Winchester, to
repair the ruins of it, as he did of other cities; and when the work was
finished there, he went, at the instance of bishop Eldad, to the monastery
near Kaercaradoc, now Salisbury, where the consuls and princes, whom
the wicked Hengist had treacherously murdered, lay buried. At this
place was a convent that maintained three hundred friars, situated on the
mountain of Ambrius, who, as is reported, had been the founder of it.
The sight of the place where the dead lay, made the king, who was of a
compassionate temper, shed tears, and at last enter upon thoughts, what
kind of monument to erect upon it. For he thought something ought to
be done to perpetuate the memory of that piece of ground, which was
honoured with the bodies of so many noble patriots, that died for their
country.
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Chapter 10. Aurelius is advised by Merlin to remove
the GiantÕs Dance from the mountain Killaraus.
For this purpose he summoned together several carpenters and
masons, and commanded them to employ the utmost of their art, in
contriving some new structure, for a lasting monument to those great
men. But they, in diffidence of their own skill, refusing to undertake it,
Tremounus, archbishop of the City of Legions, went to the king, and
said, ÒIf any one living is able to execute your commands, Merlin, the
prophet of Vortigern, is the man. In my opinion there is not in all your
kingdom a person of a brighter genius, either in predicting future events,
or in mechanical contrivances. Order him to come to you, and exercise his
skill in the work which you design.Ó Whereupon Aurelius, after he had
asked a great many questions concerning him, despatched several
messengers into the country to find him out, and bring him to him. After
passing through several provinces, they found him in the country of the
Gewisseans, at the fountain of Galabes, which he frequently resorted to.
As soon as they had delivered their message to him, they conducted him
to the king, who received him with joy, and, being curious to hear some
of his wonderful speeches, commanded him to prophesy. Merlin made
answer: ÒMysteries of this kind are not to be revealed but when there is
the greatest necessity for it. If I should pretend to utter them for
ostentation or diversion, the spirit that instructs me would be silent, and
would leave me when I should have occasion for it.Ó When he had made
the same refusal to all the rest present, the king would not urge him any
longer about his predictions, but spoke to him concerning the monument
which he designed. ÒIf you are desirous,Ó said Merlin, Òto honour the
burying-place of these men with an everlasting monument, send for the
GiantÕs Dance, which is in Killaraus, a mountain in Ireland. For there is a
structure of stones there, which none of this age could raise, without a
profound knowledge of the mechanical arts. They are stones of a vast
magnitude and wonderful quality; and if they can be placed here, as they
are there, round this spot of ground, they will stand for ever.Ó
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Geoffrey of Monmouth
Chapter XI. Uther Pendragon is appointed with Merlin
to bring over the GiantÕs Dance.
At these words of Merlin, Aurelius burst into laughter, and said,
ÒHow is it possible to remove such vast stones from so distant a country,
as if Britain was not furnished with stones fit for the work?Ó Merlin
replied, ÒI entreat your majesty to forbear vain laughter; for what I say is
without vanity. They are mystical stones, and of a medicinal virtue. The
giants of old brought them from the farthest coast of Africa, and placed
them in Ireland, while they inhabited that country. Their design in this
was to make baths in them, when they should be taken with any illness.
For their method was to wash the stones, and put their sick into the
water, which infallibly cured them. With the like success they cured
wounds also, adding only the application of some herbs. There is not a
stone there which has not some healing virtue.Ó When the Britons heard
this, they resolved to send for the stones, and to make war upon the
people of Ireland if they should offer to detain them. And to accomplish
this business, they made choice of Uther Pendragon, who was to be
attended with fifteen thousand men. They chose also Merlin himself, by
whose direction the whole affair was to be managed. A fleet being
therefore got ready, they set sail, and with a fair wind arrived in Ireland.
Chapter 12. Gillomanius being routed by Uther,
the Britons bring over the GiantÕs dance into Britain,
At that time Gillomanius, a youth of wonderful valour, reigned in
Ireland; who, upon the news of the arrival of the Britons in his kingdom,
levied a vast army, and marched out against them. And when he had
learned the occasion of their coming, he smiled, and said to those about
him, ÒNo wonder a cowardly race of people were able to make so great a
devastation in the island of Britain, when the Britons are such brutes and
fools. Was ever the like folly heard of? What are the stones of Ireland
better than those of Britain, that our kingdom must be put to this
disturbance for them? To arms, soldiers, and defend your country; while
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I have life they shall not take from us the least stone of the GiantÕs
Dance.Ó Uther, seeing them prepared for a battle, attacked them; nor was
it long ere the Britons had the advantage, who, having dispersed and
killed the Irish, forced Gillomanius to flee. After the victory they went to
the mountain Killaraus, and arrived at the structure of stones, the sight
of which filled them both with joy and admiration. And while they were
all standing round them, Merlin came up to them and said, ÒNow try
your forces, young men, and see whether strength or art can do the most
towards taking down these stones.Ó At this word they all set to their
engines with one accord, and attempted the removing of the GiantÕs
Dance. Some prepared cables, others small ropes, others ladders for the
work, but all to no purpose. Merlin laughed at their vain efforts, and
then began his own contrivances. When he had placed in order the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]