Or hath come, since the making of the world. Then murmured Arthur, 'Place me in the barge.'

So to the barge they came. There those three Queens

Put forth their hands, and took the King, and wept.

But she, that rose the tallest of them all 375
And fairest, laid his head upon her lap,
And loosed the shattered casque, and chafed
his hands,

And called him by his name, complaining loud,

And dropping bitter tears against a brow Striped with dark blood: for all his face was white

380

420 Both for themselves and those who call them friend?

For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
But now farewell. I am going a long way
With these thou seëst - if indeed I go
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt) -
To the island-valley of Avilion;

425

Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow. Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies Deep-meadowed, happy, fair with orchard lawns

430

And bowery hollows crowned with summer sea,

Where I will heal me of my grievous wound.'

So said he, and the barge with oar and sail Moved from the brink, like some fullbreasted swan

That, fluting a wild carol ere her death, 435

Or cataract music

Of falling torrents,
Flitted The Gleam.

Down from the mountain
And over the level,

And streaming and shining on
Silent river,

Silvery willow,

Pasture and plowland,

Innocent maidens,

Garrulous children,
Homestead and harvest,
Reaper and gleaner,
And rough-ruddy faces
Of lowly labour,
Slided The Gleam -

Then, with a melody
Stronger and statelier,
Led me at length
To the city and palace
Of Arthur the king;

Touched at the golden

Cross of the churches,

Flashed on the Tournament, Flickered and bickered

From helmet to helmet,

And last on the forehead

Of Arthur the blameless

Rested The Gleam.

Clouds and darkness
Closed upon Camelot;
Arthur had vanished
I knew not whither,

The king who loved me,