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the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

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110<br />

THE HIGH HISTORY OF GOOD<br />

As <strong>the</strong> simoom, and forth did roll<br />

A sudden thunder. Still <strong>the</strong>y stood.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n came a bugle-blast. <strong>The</strong> soul<br />

Of each knight stirred. With vigour rude,<br />

<strong>The</strong> blast tore down <strong>the</strong> tapestry<br />

That hid <strong>the</strong> door. All ashen-hued<br />

<strong>The</strong> knights laid hand to sword. But he<br />

(Sir Palamedes) in <strong>the</strong> gap<br />

Was found—God knoweth—bitterly<br />

Weeping. Cried Arthur: “Strange <strong>the</strong> hap!<br />

My knight, my dearest knight, my friend!<br />

What gift had Fortune in her lap<br />

Like <strong>the</strong>e? Embrace me!” “Ra<strong>the</strong>r rend<br />

Your garments, if you love me, sire!”<br />

(Quod he). “I am come unto <strong>the</strong> end.<br />

All mine intent and my desire,<br />

My quest, mine oath—all, all is done.<br />

Burn <strong>the</strong>m with me in fatal fire!<br />

For I have failed. All ways, each one<br />

I strove in, mocked me. If I quailed<br />

Or shirked, God knows. I have not won:<br />

That and no more I know. I failed.”<br />

King Arthur fell a-weeping. <strong>The</strong>n<br />

Merlin uprose, his face unveiled;

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