Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK II CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XIX

How Merlin buried them both in one tomb, and of
Balin's sword.

IN the morn came Merlin and let write Balin's name on the tomb
with letters of gold, that Here lieth Balin le Savage that was
the Knight with the Two Swords, and he that smote the Dolorous
Stroke.  Also Merlin let make there a bed, that there should
never man lie therein but he went out of his wit, yet Launcelot
de Lake fordid that bed through his noblesse.  And anon after
Balin was dead, Merlin took his sword, and took off the pommel
and set on another pommel.  So Merlin bade a knight that stood
afore him handle that sword, and he assayed, and he might not
handle it.  Then Merlin laughed.  Why laugh ye? said the knight. 
This is the cause, said Merlin: there shall never man handle this
sword but the best knight of the world, and that shall be Sir
Launcelot or else Galahad his son, and Launcelot with this sword
shall slay the man that in the world he loved best, that shall be
Sir Gawaine.  All this he let write in the pommel of the sword. 
Then Merlin let make a bridge of iron and of steel into that
island, and it was but half a foot broad, and there shall never
man pass that bridge, nor have hardiness to go over, but if he
were a passing good man and a good knight without treachery or
villainy.  Also the scabbard of Balin's sword Merlin left it on
this side the island, that Galahad should find it.  Also Merlin
let make by his subtilty that Balin's sword was put in a marble
stone standing upright as great as a mill stone, and the stone
hoved always above the water and did many years, and so by
adventure it swam down the stream to the City of Camelot, that is
in English Winchester.  And that same day Galahad the haut prince
came with King Arthur, and so Galahad brought with him the
scabbard and achieved the sword that was there in the marble
stone <78>hoving upon the water.  And on Whitsunday he achieved
the sword as it is rehearsed in the book of Sangreal.

Soon after this was done Merlin came to King Arthur and told him
of the dolorous stroke that Balin gave to King Pellam, and how
Balin and Balan fought together the marvellest battle that ever
was heard of, and how they were buried both in one tomb.  Alas,
said King Arthur, this is the greatest pity that ever I heard
tell of two knights, for in the world I know not such two
knights.  Thus endeth the tale of Balin and of Balan, two
brethren born in Northumberland, good knights.

Sequitur iii liber.