the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

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

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30 SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT The monster from the oozy bed, And bounded through the crashing glades. —But now a staring savage head Lurks at him through the forest shades. This was a naked Indian, Who led within the city gate The fooled and disappointed man, Already broken by his fate. Here were the brazen towers, and here The scupltured rocks, the marble shrine Where to a tall black stone they rear The altars due to the divine. The God they deem in sensual joy Absorbed, and silken dalliance: To please his leisure hours a boy Compels an elephant to dance. So majesty to ridicule Is turned. To other climes and men Makes off that strong, persistent fool Sir Palamede the Saracen.

XI SIR PALAMEDE the Saracen Hath hied him to an holy man, Sith he alone of mortal men Can help him, if a mortal can. (So tell him all the Scythian folk.) Wherefore he makes a caravan, And finds him. When his prayers invoke The holy knowledge, saith the sage: “This Beast is he of whom there spoke The prophets of the Golden Age: ‘Mark! all that mind is, he is not.’ ” Sir Palamede in bitter rage Sterte up: “Is this the fool, ’Od wot, To see the like of whom I came From castellated Camelot?” The sage with eyes of burning flame Cried: “Is it not a miracle? Ay! for with folly travelleth shame, 31

XI<br />

SIR PALAMEDE <strong>the</strong> Saracen<br />

Hath hied him to an holy man,<br />

Sith he alone of mortal men<br />

Can help him, if a mortal can.<br />

(So tell him all <strong>the</strong> Scythian folk.)<br />

Wherefore he makes a caravan,<br />

And finds him. When his prayers invoke<br />

<strong>The</strong> holy knowledge, saith <strong>the</strong> sage:<br />

“This Beast is he of whom <strong>the</strong>re spoke<br />

<strong>The</strong> prophets of <strong>the</strong> Golden Age:<br />

‘Mark! all that mind is, he is not.’ ”<br />

Sir Palamede in bitter rage<br />

Sterte up: “Is this <strong>the</strong> fool, ’Od wot,<br />

To see <strong>the</strong> like of whom I came<br />

From castellated Camelot?”<br />

<strong>The</strong> sage with eyes of burning flame<br />

Cried: “Is it not a miracle?<br />

Ay! for with folly travelleth shame,<br />

31

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