56
XX
Srp PALAMEDE hath reasoned out
Beyond the shadow of a doubt
That this his Questing Beast is one;
For were it Beasts, he must suppose
An earlier Beast to father those.
So all the tracks of herds that run
Into the forest he discards,
And only turns his dark regards
On single prints, on marks unique.
Sir Palamede doth now attain
Unto a wide and grassy plain,
Whereon he spies the thing to seek.
Thereat he putteth spur to horse
And runneth him a random course,
The Beast a-questing aye before.
But praise to good Sir Palamede!
*Hath gotten him a fairy steed
Alike for venery and for war,
So that in little drawing near
The quarry, lifteth up his spear
To run him of his malice through.