Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
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This tradition Spenser is said to have copied from Giraldi Cambresis, who, in the
twelfth century, got it among the legends of the early British bards, who probably
received it from the Arabians. To Spenser also we are indebted for the information
that Merlin made a “ glassie globe,” and gave it to King Bynce, which showed him the
approach of all enemies, and discovered treason; and a wonderful sword, whose metal
was mixed with meadow-wort, that it might be proof against enchantments. It was
forged in the flames of Etna, and to give it hidden virtue, dipped in the bitter waters
of the Styx. Perhaps this was the world-renowned weapon of King Arthur, but we
are not told so expressly.
Merlin is said to have roamed the woods like Nebuchadnezzar, in remorse for the
death of his nephew; and, from his mode of life, got the name of Lailoken. St Kenti-
gern, it is said, demanded an explanation of his mode of life. The wild Merlin replied,
that he did penance for a contest which took place between Lidel and Carwanlow, of
which he was the cause, and that Heaven imposed the penance. Waldhave says he
was lying on Lomond Law one day, and heard a voice bid him rise and defend himself.
On looking round he saw a flock of foxes and hares pursued by a savage scarcely like a
man, who assaulted Waldhave with a club, and was defeated by him. He, however,
refused any explanation of his strange conduct, and only uttered the following obscure
saying, and vanished—“ Go, musing upon Merlin if thou wilt, for I mean no more,
man, at this time.”
Merlin predicted the manner of his own death, saying he would die by earth,
wood, and water. Thus it is said this prophecy was fulfilled. He was being chased
and stoned by the countrymen, probably, for some disastrous prophecy, when he fell
from a rock into the Tweed, and was caught on the point of a stake placed there for
fish-nets. The death of Merlin of Caledonia is related as so much alike, that I think
it gives good ground for supposing the two to be one and the same person. It is fabled
of him by Fordun that his sister sent her page in three difl'erent disguises to consult
the oracle how the person should die, who, in a manner pointed out, had deeply injured
his mistress. The page, however, took care not to reveal that the guilty person was
Merlin himself, who had assisted in putting an end to some of the wicked deeds of his
sister. To the first messenger the oracle said, The guilty one should die by a fall from
a rock; to the second, That he should die by a tree; and to the third, That he should
be drowned.
And now, my readers, having come to the end of my tether, if I may so speak, I
don’t see how I could better finish this sketch than by a short quotation from “ The
Bridal of Triermain,” which I hope will tempt you all to read it as a whole. The