24.03.2013 Views

the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT<br />

By simple faith, not hea<strong>the</strong>n might,<br />

Catch him, and thus achieve <strong>the</strong> quest!”<br />

<strong>The</strong>n quoth that melancholy wight:<br />

“I will believe!” <strong>The</strong> hermit blessed<br />

His convert: on <strong>the</strong> horizon<br />

Appears <strong>the</strong> Beast. “To <strong>the</strong>e <strong>the</strong> rest!”<br />

He cries, to urge <strong>the</strong> good knight on.<br />

But no! Sir Palamedes grips<br />

<strong>The</strong> hermit by <strong>the</strong> woebegone<br />

Beard of him; <strong>the</strong>n away he rips,<br />

Wood as a maniac, to <strong>the</strong> West,<br />

Where down <strong>the</strong> sun in splendour slips,<br />

And where <strong>the</strong> quarry of <strong>the</strong> quest<br />

Canters. <strong>The</strong>y run like hippogriffs!<br />

Like men pursued, or swine possessed,<br />

Over <strong>the</strong> dizzy Cretan cliffs<br />

<strong>The</strong>y smash. And lo! it comes to pass<br />

He sees in no dim hieroglyphs,<br />

In knowledge easy to amass,<br />

This hermit (while he drew his breath)<br />

Once dead is like a mangy ass.<br />

Bruised, broken, but not bound to death,<br />

He calls some passing fishermen<br />

To bear him. Presently he saith:<br />

47

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!