Sir Palamedes

As the simoom, and forth did roll A sudden thunder. Still they stood. Then came a bugle-blast. The soul Of each knight stirred. With vigour rude, The blast tore down the tapestry That hid the door. All ashen-hued The knights laid hand to sword. But he (Sir Palamedes) in the gap Was found—God knoweth—bitterly Weeping. Cried Arthur: “Strange the hap! My knight, my dearest knight, my friend ! What gift had Fortune in her lap Like thee? Embrace me!” “ Rather rend Your garments, if you love me, sire!” (Quod he). “Iam come unto the end. All mine intent and my desire, My quest, mine oath—all, all is done. Burn them with me in fatal fire! For I have failed. All ways, each one I strove in, mocked me. If I quailed Or shirked, God knows. I have not won: That and no more I know. I failed.” King Arthur fell a-weeping. Then Merlin uprose, his face unveiled;