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.]