Oracles

I56 THE EARL’S QUEST A shallop rocked before the sullen breeze. Midway, a hermit’s hut stood solitary, A dim light set therein. Near and at ease A jolly well-lit inn—no phantom airy ! Solid and warm, short snatches of light song Issuing cheery now and then. “ Be wary ! ” Quoth the wise Earl, “ I wander very long Far from my quest, assuredly to fall Sideways each step towards the House of Wrong, “ Were but one choice demented. Choice is small Here though. (A flash of insight in his mind) Which of these three gets answer to its call ? “ Yon shallop ?—leave to Galahad ! Resigned Yon hermit to be welcome Lancelot ! For me—the inn—what fate am I to find ? “ Who cares ? Shall I seek ever—do ye wot ?— But in the outré, the obscure, the occult ? My Master is of might to lift me what “ Hangs, veil of glamour, on my ‘ Quisque vult,’ The morion’s motto : to exhaust the cross, Bidding it glow with roses—the result “ What way he will : may be adventure’s loss Is gain to common sense ; whereby I guess Wise men have hidden Mount Biagenos