Equinox I (04).pdf

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

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72 SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT In all the seasons and the tides. But ah! the more it changed and changed”— (The good knight laughed to split his sides!) “What? Is the soul of things deranged? The more it changed, and rippled through Its changes, and still changed, and changed, The liker to itself it grew. “Bear me,” he cried, “to purge my bile To the old land of Hormakhu, That I may sit and curse awhile At all these follies fond that pen My quest about—on, on to Nile! Tread tenderly, my merry men! For nothing is so void and vile As Palamede the Saracen.”

XXVIII SIR PALAMEDE the Saracen Hath clad him in a sable robe; Hath curses, writ by holy men From all the gardens of the globe. He standeth at an altar-stone; The blood drips from the slain babe’s throat; His chant rolls in a magick moan; His head bows to the crownèd goat. His wand makes curves and spires in air; The smoke of incense curls and quivers; His eyes fix in a glass-cold stare: The land of Egypt rocks and shivers! “Lo! by thy Gods, O God, I vow To burn the authentic bones and blood Of curst Osiris even now To the dark Nile's upsurging flood! I cast thee down, oh crowned and throned! To black Amennti's void profane. Until mine anger be atoned Thou shalt not ever rise again.” 73

72<br />

SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT<br />

In all the seasons and the tides.<br />

But ah! the more it changed and changed”—<br />

(The good knight laughed to split his sides!)<br />

“What? Is the soul of things deranged?<br />

The more it changed, and rippled through<br />

Its changes, and still changed, and changed,<br />

The liker to itself it grew.<br />

“Bear me,” he cried, “to purge my bile<br />

To the old land of Hormakhu,<br />

That I may sit and curse awhile<br />

At all these follies fond that pen<br />

My quest about—on, on to Nile!<br />

Tread tenderly, my merry men!<br />

For nothing is so void and vile<br />

As Palamede the Saracen.”

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