It pleased me well enough." "Nay, nay," said Hall, 66 Why take the style of those heroic times? For nature brings not back the Mastodon, Nor we those times; and why should any man I hoard it as a sugar-plum for Holmes." "But I," He laugh'd, and I, though sleepy, like a horse MORTE D'ARTHUR. So all day long the noise of battle roll'd Until King Arthur's table, man by man, Had fall'n in Lyonness about their Lord, King Arthur: then, because his wound was deep, Sir Bedivere, the last of all his knights, Then spake King Arthur to Sir Bedivere: They sleep-the men I loved. I think that we Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds, Of Camelot, as in the days that were. I perish by this people which I made,- I am so deeply smitten through the helm In aftertime, this also shall be known : But now delay not: take Excalibur, And fling him far into the middle meer : Watch what thou seëst, and lightly bring me word." To him replied the bold Sir Bedivere : "It is not meet, Sir King, to leave thee thus, Aidless, alone, and smitten through the helm. A little thing may harm a wounded man. Yet I thy hest will all perform at full, Watch what I see, and lightly bring thee word." So saying, from the ruin'd shrine he stept And in the moon athwart the place of tombs, Where lay the mighty bones of ancient men, Old knights, and over them the sea-wind sang Shrill, chill, with flakes of foam. He, stepping down By zig-zag paths, and juts of pointed rock, Came on the shining levels of the lake. There drew he forth the brand Excalibur, And o'er him, drawing it, the winter moon, In act to throw but at the last it seem'd Better to leave Excalibur conceal'd There in the many-knotted waterflags, That whistled stiff and dry about the marge. And answer made the bold Sir Bedivere : "I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, And the wild water lapping on the crag." To whom replied King Arthur, faint and pale : "Thou hast betray'd thy nature and thy name, Not rendering true answer, as beseem'd Thy fealty, nor like a noble knight : For surer sign had follow'd, either hand, Or voice, or else a motion of the meer. This is a shameful thing for men to lie. Yet now, I charge thee, quickly go again As thou art lief and dear, and do the thing I bad thee, watch, and lightly bring me word." Then went Sir Bedivere the second time, |