Oracles

THE EARL’S QUEST I57 “ And all its height from fools who looked no less For snows to lurk beneath the roots of yew, Or in the caverns grim with gloominess “ Hid deep i’ the forests they would wander through, Instead of travelling the straightforward road. I call them fools—well, I have been one too. “ Now then at least for the secure abode And way of luck—knight-errantry once doffed, The ox set kicking at his self-set goad, “ Here’s for the hostel and the light aloft ! Roderic, my lad ! there’s pelf to pay the score For ale and cakes and venison and a soft “ Bed we have missed this three months—now no more Of folly ! Avaunt, old Merlin’s nonsense lore ! Ho there ! Travellers ! Mine host ! Open the door ! ” [In the second part—a joyous inn fireside—the Earl refuses power, knowledge, and love (offered him by a guest) by the symbolic drink of ale and the cherry cheeks of the maid. In part three she, coming secretly to him, warns him he must destroy the three vices, faith, hope, and charity. This he does easily, save the love of the figure of the Crucified ; but at last conquering this, he attains. These were never written.—R. P. L.]