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Equinox I (04).pdf

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110<br />

THE HIGH HISTORY OF GOOD<br />

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

A sudden thunder. Still they stood.<br />

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

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

The blast tore down the tapestry<br />

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

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

(Sir Palamedes) in the gap<br />

Was found—God knoweth—bitterly<br />

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

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

What gift had Fortune in her lap<br />

Like thee? Embrace me!” “Rather rend<br />

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

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

All mine intent and my desire,<br />

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

Burn them 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. Then<br />

Merlin uprose, his face unveiled;

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