Equinox I (04).pdf

Equinox I (04).pdf Equinox I (04).pdf

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70 SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT For all these Paynim knights may rest In the black bliss they struggle to.” But from the earth's full-flowered breast Brake the blind roar of earthquake through, Tearing the belly of its mother, Engulphing all that heathen crew, That cried and cursed on one another. Aghast he standeth, Palamede! For twinned with Earthquake laughs her brother The Questing Beast. As Goddes reed Sweats blood for sin, so now the heart Of the good knight begins to bleed. Of all the ruinous shafts that dart Within his liver, this hath plied The most intolerable smart. “By Goddes wounds!” the good knight cried, “What is this quest, grown daily dafter, Where nothing—nothing—may abide? Westward!” They fly, but rolling after Echoes the Beast's unsatisfied And inextinguishable laughter!

XXVII SIR PALAMEDE goes aching on (Pox of despair's dread interdict!) Aye to the western horizon, Still meditating, sharp and strict, Upon the changes of the earth, Its towers and temples derelict, The ready ruin of its mirth, The flowers, the fruits, the leaves that fall, The joy of life, its growing girth— And nothing as the end of all. Yea, even as the Yang-tze rolled Its rapids past him, so the wall Of things brake down; his eyes behold The mighty Beast serenely couched Upon its breast of burnished gold. “Ah! by Christ's blood!” (his soul avouched), “Nothing but change (but change!) abides. Death lurks, a leopard curled and crouched, 71

XXVII<br />

SIR PALAMEDE goes aching on<br />

(Pox of despair's dread interdict!)<br />

Aye to the western horizon,<br />

Still meditating, sharp and strict,<br />

Upon the changes of the earth,<br />

Its towers and temples derelict,<br />

The ready ruin of its mirth,<br />

The flowers, the fruits, the leaves that fall,<br />

The joy of life, its growing girth—<br />

And nothing as the end of all.<br />

Yea, even as the Yang-tze rolled<br />

Its rapids past him, so the wall<br />

Of things brake down; his eyes behold<br />

The mighty Beast serenely couched<br />

Upon its breast of burnished gold.<br />

“Ah! by Christ's blood!” (his soul avouched),<br />

“Nothing but change (but change!) abides.<br />

Death lurks, a leopard curled and crouched,<br />

71

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