Sir Palamedes

70 For all these Paynim knights may rest In the black bliss they struggle to.” But from the earth’s full-flowered breast Brake the blind roar of earthquake through, Tearing the belly of its mother, Engulphing all that heathen crew, That cried and cursed on one another. Aghast he standeth, Palamede ! For twinned with Earthquake laughs her brother The Questing Beast. As Goddes reed Sweats blood for sin, so now the heart Of the good knight begins to bleed. Of all the ruinous shafts that dart Within his liver, this hath plied The most intolerable smart. “ By Goddes wounds!” the good knight cried, “What is this quest, grown daily dafter, Where nothing—nothing—may abide ? Westward!” They fly, but rolling after Echoes the Beast’s unsatisfied And inextinguishable laughter!