Before the crown had learned its burden Before the hall had learned his name Merlin walked beside young Arthur Teaching fire without the flame. Not every foe would meet in battle Not every wound would bleed or scar Some would come As smiling counsel Some would hide Behind a star You drew the sword That made you chosen What you do Will make you king Steel can break A gate before you Wisdom knows Which doors to leave Listen first Before commanding Learn the weight Behind each vow Men may kneel Before the symbol They must trust The man somehow THE WIZARD AND THE KING One sees the road One bears the ring THE WIZARD AND THE KING One speaks of what The years may bring A sword can win A kingdom But wisdom Keeps the crown And every tower Built in glory Can one day Come down. Merlin showed him winter kingdoms, Fields where banners turned to dust. Kings who ruled By fear and hunger. Kings who broke Because none trusted. Then he showed A brighter vision. Not of conquest. Not of gold. One great table. One shared purpose. One new order To uphold. But every light Will cast a shadow. Every oath Will face the test. Love may wound The strongest kingdom. Pride may poison Even best. You will build What men remember. You will lose What men adore. Still the dream Must outlive ruin. Still the king Must ask for more. THE WIZARD AND THE KING. One holds the blade. One reads the wind. THE WIZARD AND THE KING. The lesson Never truly ends. A crown is not A promise. A throne is not A right. The king who learns To rule himself May yet Rule others right. Arthur looked Toward Camelot. Merlin looked Beyond. And neither spoke Of what he saw Waiting At the dawn.
