It is said that in the days of the famed Prince Arthur, who was king of Britain, in the year 516, there lived a great magician, called Merlin, the most learned and skilful enchanter in the world at that time.
This great magician, who could assume any form he pleased, was travelling in the disguise of a poor beggar, and being very much fatigued, he stopped at the cottage of an honest ploughman to rest himself, and asked for some refreshment.
The countryman gave him a hearty welcome, and his wife, who was a very good–hearted, hospital woman, soon brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, an some coarse brown bread on a platter.