Sir Palamedes

And smote his bosom murderous. His nails like eagles’ claws were grown ; His eyes were wild and dull; but thus Sir Lancelot spake: “Thy deeds atone By knightly devoir!” He returned That “While the land was overgrown With giant, fiend, and ogre burned My sword ; but now the Paynim bars Are broke, and men to virtue turned : Therefore I sit upon the scars Amid my beard, even as the sun Sits in the company of the stars!” Then Lancelot bade this deed be done, The achievement of the Questing Beast. Which when he spoke that holy one Rose up, and gat him to the east With Lancelot; when as they drew Unto the palace and the feast He put his littlest finger to The dwarf, who rose to upper air, Piercing the far eternal blue Beyond the reach of song or prayer. Then did Sir Palamede amend His nakedness, his horrent hair, 23