This tale is written for Nathan and Mikey, Ellis and Ty.
It is also written for all the boys and girls that dare to dream.
For without the dreams and the children to dream them.
Where would we be?
It is also for King Arthur and his Knights.
For I have seen and I believe.


For Arthur.

This tale was never to be told.
I tell it now as I grow old.
For I fear the story will be lost.
And England left to count the cost.

A man once dreamt of a perfect land.
Built with honor, with valor, by strength of hand.
King Arthur stood for everything good.
Both Chivalry, loyalty, tested in blood.

But now I look to the turning tide.
And see divide grow ever wide.
Once more with sword down by his side.
Beware I fear this knight will ride.


King Arthur, Excalibur, Merlin, Camelot.

Arthur rowed across the lake that night.
He’d been drawn to the shore by a brilliant light.
The sword he saw was beyond compare.
Twas a ladies hand that held it there.

He would remember the hand that held it tight.
It bore a ring that held a stone so bright.
Once more he looked to the sword that shone.
Then the sword was passed and the hand was gone.

As Arthur held the sword up high.
A ladies whisper, a breath, floated on the sky.
Excalibur, oh Excalibur, the sword hath name.
Twas the rightful King of England came.

Arthur rowed back to land and stepped ashore.
A wizened old man there stood before.
With flowing white hair and mane for beard.
Strange hat on his head, towards Arthur he neared.

This land of Alderley welcomes its King.
With Excalibur in hand our lady doth sing.
On the morrow more men will join you here.
Then make them your Knights and hold them dear.
For many battles ahead till you gain your crown.
And many a Knights life will be laid down.

Wizened or Wizard was never clear.
No man ever saw him disappear.
But always when, in times of fear.
Merlin was sure to reappear.

Years later to Alderley Arthur came.
King of England his joyous Knights proclaim.
This land of Alderley, said Arthur, rename.
As Camelot, my Kingdom, my domain.


King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin.

The sight that befell King Arthur’s eyes.
Did take away his speech.
With Merlin standing just in front.
Her beauty out of reach.

Said Merlin this is Guinevere.
I bring here you this time.
A Queen to sit beside her King.
Hearts one and souls entwine.

And blessed day when they were wed.
In Camelot, as one.
For on that day as vows were made.
All hope Arthur, was gone.

Arthur saw the ring his Queen did wear.
For the stone did catch his eye.
Twas a stone that he had seen before.
On the hand of a ladies sigh.

The hand the stone and Excalibur.
Arthur turned to thoughts that day.
He remembered the sight on the lake that night.
As the hand, just slipped away.

Arthur’s council kept the couple kissed.
With their happiness intact.
The secret of Brisingamen.
Between the two, a silent pact.


The Stone of Brisingamen.

The stone shines on the wearer bright.
But beware the hidden within the light.
The spell bewitches the chosen one.
Besotted, heart and mind are gone.

Merlin did cast upon this stone.
A bewitching spell but not alone.
The second spell to owner and ring.
Protection against all other spells bring.

To Guinevere, Merlin gave this ring.
To work its magic on the King.
Work done the stone did now move on.
Soon Lancelot’s heart and mind were gone.


King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot.

Six summers passed in joyous haze.
In bliss they didn’t count the days.
Then Arthur felt a sudden chill.
What once was good did now feel ill.

Suspecting all was not as should.
Arthur looked for reason to make it good.
His favored Knight and Guinevere.
Had been deceiving, his gravest fear.

Arthur called his Knights their arms to bear.
Around the table beside each chair.
Lancelot and Guinevere stood before.
The vote to banish for evermore.


Lancelot and Guinevere.

Lancelot now walked on alone.
He trailed his horse behind.
No longer knowing where to look.
And Guinevere to find.

For Camelot they left that day.
They’d vowed to go as one.
Then as he’d drank out from the stream.
In silent haste she’d gone.

Lancelot would wander now.
And this would be his life.
To search the hills and valleys.
For the one who’d be his wife.


King Arthur, Merlin, the Knights.

Arthur and Knights before table round.
Did sit and ponder thoughts profound.
Then once more did Merlin re-appear.
And whisper quietly in Arthur’s ear.

In your pain you have a chance to shine.
And join a cause that is divine.
For you and Knights your defense is needed.
For no mortal soul this warning heeded.

Arthur and Knights followed Merlin in.
Through walls of rock and then within.
To a chamber big as the evening sky.
Then all lined up, all asking why.

They had all been called along with king.
To the depths of Alderley and horses bring.
Merlin answered now without a pause.
You now fight Knights, for another cause.

Then Merlin cast with wave of hand.
A spell of sleep on Arthur’s band.
The Grail to you I do entrust.
Now sleep and know your cause is just.

Then with another wave of hand.
Camelot was gone from off this land.
Nevermore again to reappear
And let the mortal world get near.


Merlin, Guinevere and the stone of Brizingamen.

Arthur and Merlin, the day they met.
Contrived or coincidence, the cast was set.
Arthur and Guinevere, he made her his wife.
With Lancelot she left, took with her his life.

On Guinevere’s hand a stone so bright.
To Arthur a stone and a hand in the night.
That a stone as this, a duplicate make.
Or Guinevere’s ring on the Lady of the Lake.

Merlin the Wizard had looked wizened and frail.
The look was contrived to protect the Grail.
Travelling far from his home in the east with his charge.
He arrived at old Alderley with caves looming large.

The rest you have read as the tale unfolds.
And Arthur with Grail, within cave now holds.
With his Knights beside him they all sit sleeping.
The Grail between them, safely keeping.


Alderley Edge.

In the tree covered hills above Alderley.
Lie caves as old as time.
Some known and some long forgotten.
Now covered and hidden with vine.

Secrets these caves long withheld.
From the gaze of inquisitive eye.
The wise would know not to look for.
The foolish for reasons know why.

These hills and caves made of legend.
In folklore generations passed down.
Truth now that's cloaked over with fiction.
On secrets they sit like a gown.

These caves running down different courses.
Though all coming down to one source.
To a chamber and the savior of England.
In the darkness where he sleeps on his horse.

Arthurian knights side by side him in slumber.
Wizard’s spell cast to stop them all waking.
Until England in peril now asunder.
They fight for honor and glory the taking.

From these caves they ride out in the night.
Horse’s breath steams from nostrils, they flare.
Capes flying high above armor as they fight.
Shields protect with swords slashing the air.

Then once more they return to the cave.
King and knights they surrender to sleep.
This procession of valor to save.
Wizards spell evermore here to keep.

The sun rises to the east and greets the day.
Arthur clutches Excalibur and sleeps away.


Camelot.

Go to Alderley and step to the edge.
Turn around, step away from the ledge.
Look before you behold Camelot.
Merlin’s vision and dreams time forgot.

© DWSmith 2008.