Anon as they met him, fair they him greeted: "Hail be
thou, Uther; these territories are thine own. Dead is Aurelie, noblest
of kings; he hath set to thee in hand all his regal land; he bade thee
be in prosperity, and think of his soul." Then wept Uther wondrously
much there. Uther proceeded forth-right into Winchester; then were
before him, without the burgh, all the burghers with piteous cries. So
soon as they saw him, they said to him: "Uther, thy favour, now and
evermore! Our king we have lost, woe is to us therefore. Thou wert his
brother--he had no other, nor he had no son, who might become king.
But take thou the crown, it is thy right, and we will help thee, and
hold for lord, with weapons and with goods, and with all our might."
Uther heard this; he was wise and he was aware, that there was no
other course, since his brother was dead. He took the crown, that came
to him exceeding well, and he worthily became king, and held good
laws, and loved his folk. Whilst that he was king, and chose his
ministers, Merlin disappeared; he knew not ever whither he went, nor
ever in the worlds-realm what became of him.
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