The Soul of Osiris

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