THE GATE OF THE SANCTUARY. 
59 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE NAMELESS QUEST. 
 
 
HE king was silent.  In the blazoned hall 
 Shadows, more mute than at a funeral 
True mourners, waited, waited in the gloom ; 
Waited to hear what child was in the womb 
Of his high thoughts.  As dead men were we all ; 
As dead men wait the trumpet in the tomb. 
 
The king was silent.  Tense the high-strung air 
Must save itself by trembling—if it dare. 
Then a long shudder ran across the space ; 
Each man ashamed to see his fellow’s face, 
Each troubled and confused.  He did not spare 
Our fear—he spake not yet a little space.  
 
After a while he took the word again : 
“ Go thou then moonwards on the great salt plain ; 
So to a pillar.  Adamant, alone, 
It stands.  Around it see them overthrown, 
King, earl, and knight.  There lie the questing slain, 
A thousand years forgotten—bone by bone. 
 
  T