27.06.2013 Views

Equinox I (04).pdf

Equinox I (04).pdf

Equinox I (04).pdf

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT<br />

The saint of Mary”—there he stayed,<br />

For out of Memnon's singing stone<br />

So fierce a questing barked and brayed,<br />

It turned his laughter to a groan.<br />

His vow forgot, his task undone,<br />

His soul whipped in God's bitter school!<br />

(He moaned a mighty malison!)<br />

The perfect knight? The perfect fool!<br />

“Now, by God's wounds!” quoth he, “my strength<br />

Is burnt out to a pest of pains.<br />

Let me fling off my curse at length<br />

In old Chaldea's starry plains!<br />

Thou blessèd Jesus, foully nailed<br />

Unto the cruel Calvary tree,<br />

Look on my soul's poor fort assailed<br />

By all the hosts of devilry!<br />

Is there no medicine but death<br />

That shall avail me in my place,<br />

That I may know the Beauteous Breath<br />

And taste the Goodly Gift of Grace?<br />

Keep Thou yet firm this trembling leaf<br />

My soul, dear God Who died for men;<br />

Yea! for that sinner-soul the chief,<br />

Sir Palamede the Saracen!”<br />

77

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!