Sir Palamedes

SIR PALAMEDES, THE SARACEN KNIGHT Beast. Standing up, that he may enjoy the reward, he findeth another answer to the riddle. Yet abideth in the quest. xxxviii. Sir Palamede is confronted by a stranger knight, whose arms are his own, as also his features, This knight mocketh Sir Palamede for an impudent pretender, and impersonator of the chosen knight. Sir Palamede in all humility alloweth that there is no proof possible, and offereth ordeal of battle, in which the stranger is slain, Sir Palamede heweth him into the smallest dust without pity, xxxix. In a green valley he obtaineth the vision of Pan, Thereby he regaineth all that he had expended of strength and youth; is gladdened thereat, for he now devoteth again his life to the quest; yet more utterly cast down than ever, for that this supreme vision is not the Beast. xl. Upon the loftiest summit of a great mountain he perceiveth Naught. Even this is, however, not the Beast. xii. Returning to Camelot to announce his failure, he maketh entrance into the King’s hall, whence he started out upon the quest. The Beast cometh nestling to him, All the knights attain the quest. The voice of Christ is heard: “Well done.” He sayeth that each failure is a step in the Path, The poet prayeth success therein for himself and his readers, viii