THE SCENE: When a construction project goes awry, King Vortigern is told that he must shed the blood of a fatherless child to secure the building. When he summons such a child, though, the person who stands before him is nothing less than a youthful Merlin, already confident in his powers.
THE TEXT: Merlin went up to the King and asked: “Why have my mother and I been brought into your presence?” “My magicians have advised me,” answered Vortigern, “that I should look for a fatherless man, so that my building can be sprinkled with his blood and thus stand firm.” “Tell your magicians to appear in front of me,” answered Merlin, “and I will prove that they have lied.”
The King was amazed at what Merlin said. He ordered his magicians to come immediately and sit down in front of Merlin. “Just because you do not know what is obstructing the foundations of the tower which these men have begun,” said Merlin to the magicians, “you have recommended that my blood should be sprinkled on the mortar to make the building stand firm. Tell me, then, what lies hidden under the foundation. There is certainly something there which is preventing it from holding firm.”
“The magicians, who were terrified, said nothing. Merlin, who was also called Ambrosius, then went on: “My Lord King, summon your workmen. Order them to dig in the earth, and, underneath you will find a pool. That is what is preventing the tower from standing.” This was done. A pool was duly found beneath the earth, and it was this which made the ground unsteady.
Ambrosius Merlin went up to the magicians a second time and said, “Tell me, now, you lying flatterers. What lies beneath the pool?” They remained silent, unable to utter a single sound. “Order the pool to be drained,” said Merlin, “and at the bottom you will observe two hollow stones. Inside the stones you will see two Dragons which are sleeping.”
The King believed what Merlin said, for he had told the truth about the pool. He ordered the pool to be drained. He was more astounded by Merlin than he had ever been by anything. All those present were equally amazed at his knowledge, and they realized that there was something supernatural about him. While Vortigern, King of the Britons, was still sitting on the bank of the pool which had been drained of its water, there emerged two Dragons, one white, one red. As soon as they were near enough to each other, they fought bitterly, breathing out fire as they panted. The White Dragon began to have the upper hand and to force the Red one back to the edge of the pool. The Red Dragon bewailed the fact that it was being drive out and then turned upon the White One and forced it backwards in its turn. As they struggled on in this way, the King ordered Ambrosius Merlin to explain just what this battle of the Dragons meant. Merlin immediately burst into tears. He went into a prophetic trance and then spoke as follows:
“Alas for the Red Dragon, for its end is near. Its cavernous dens shall be occupied by the White Dragon, which stands for the Saxons whom you have invited over. The Red Dragon represents the people of Britain, who will be overrun by the White One: for Britain’s mountains and valleys shall be leveled, and the streams in its valleys shall run with blood.”
– Geoffrey of Monmouth, The History of the Kings of Britain, 12th Century AD
