the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

the Equinox - The Hermetic Library the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

24.03.2013 Views

28 SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT Until one billow curls to leap, And flings him breathless on the shore Half drowned. O fool! his God's asleep, His armour in illusion’s war Itself illusion, all his might And courage vain. Yet ardours pour Through every artery. The knight Scales the Himalaya's frozen sides, Crowned with illimitable light, And there in constant war abides, Smiting the spangles of the snow; Smiting until the vernal tides Of earth leap high; the steady flow Of sunlight splits the icy walls: They slide, they hurl the knight below. Sir Palamede the mighty falls Into an hollow where there dwelt A bearded crew of monachals Asleep in various visions spelt By mystic symbols unto men. But when a foreigner they smelt They drive him from their holy den, And with their glittering eyeballs pelt Sir Palamede the Saracen.

Now findeth he, as all alone He moves about the burning East, The mighty trail of some unknown, But surely some majestic beast. X So followeth he the forest ways, Remembering his knightly oath, And through the hot and dripping days Ploughs through the tangled undergrowth. Sir Palamede the Saracen Came on a forest pool at length, Remote from any mart of men, Where there disported in his strength The lone and lordly elephant. Sir Palamede his forehead beat. “O amorous! O militant! O lord of this arboreal seat!” Thus worshipped he, and stalking stole Into the presence: he emerged. The scent awakes the uneasy soul Of that Majestic One: upsurged 29

Now findeth he, as all alone<br />

He moves about <strong>the</strong> burning East,<br />

<strong>The</strong> mighty trail of some unknown,<br />

But surely some majestic beast.<br />

X<br />

So followeth he <strong>the</strong> forest ways,<br />

Remembering his knightly oath,<br />

And through <strong>the</strong> hot and dripping days<br />

Ploughs through <strong>the</strong> tangled undergrowth.<br />

Sir Palamede <strong>the</strong> Saracen<br />

Came on a forest pool at length,<br />

Remote from any mart of men,<br />

Where <strong>the</strong>re disported in his strength<br />

<strong>The</strong> lone and lordly elephant.<br />

Sir Palamede his forehead beat.<br />

“O amorous! O militant!<br />

O lord of this arboreal seat!”<br />

Thus worshipped he, and stalking stole<br />

Into <strong>the</strong> presence: he emerged.<br />

<strong>The</strong> scent awakes <strong>the</strong> uneasy soul<br />

Of that Majestic One: upsurged<br />

29

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