Which was my pride; for thou rememberest how And fling him far into the middle of the mere ;1 To him replied the bold Sir Bedivere; It is not meet, Sir King, to leave thee thus, Watch what I see, and lightly bring thee word."" So saying, he stepped down from the ruined shrine, and hastened to the lake to do the king's command. But as he drew forth the beautiful sword, Excalibur, and saw the handle all glittering with diamonds, it seemed too precious to throw away. The longer he looked, the more his eyes were dazzled; and, at last, 4 Mere-lake. 5 Hest-command. he decided to leave the sword hidden there among the water-flags. "So strode he back slow to the wounded king, Then spake King Arthur to Sir Bedivere: To whom replied King Arthur, faint and pale : I bade thee, watch, and lightly bring me word.”” Then went Sir Bedivere the second time; but as he raised the sword aloft, the moon, shining upon it, brought out all the wondrous beauty of the hilt; and as he saw how richly and curiously it was chased, he again shrank from throwing it into the lake. 6 Fealty-fidelity to one's lord. 7 Lief-beloved. He thought: "If I allow this splendid blade to perish, what will there be left on the earth to serve as a reminder of the glory of Arthur's reign? Besides, the king is sick now, and knows not what he does. Is it right to obey him if he demand an act unprofitable to himself?" So, misled by his own conceit, he hid Excalibur a second time, and returned to the king. "Then spoke King Arthur, breathing heavily: Laid widow'd of the power in his eye That bow'd the will. I see thee what thou art, In whom should meet the offices of all, But, if thou spare to fling Excalibur, I will arise and slay thee with my hands.' Made lightnings in the splendor of the moon, arch, Shot like a streamer of the northern morn, Then spoke King Arthur, drawing thicker 'Now see I by thine eye that this is done. Speak out what is it thou hast heard or seen? And answer made the bold Sir Bedivere: 'Sir King, I closed mine eyelids, lest the gems Should blind my purpose, for I never saw, Nor shall see, here or elsewhere, till I die, Not tho' I live three lives of mortal men, So great a miracle as yonder hilt. Then with both hands I flung him, wheeling him ; 'My end draws nigh: 'tis time that I were Make broad thy shoulders to receive my weight; And bear me to the margin; yet I fear My wound hath taken cold, and I shall die."" So Bedivere placed the dying king upon his broad shoulders, and carried him to the lake, which shone white and beautiful in the moonlight. And lo! there came sailing towards them a dusky barge, whose deck was covered with stately figures all clothed in black, while there arose a long, low cry of sorrow. Then murmured Arthur: "Place me in the barge;" and three of the stately forms put forth their hands and took the king and wept. "Then loudly cried bold Sir Bedivere: 'Ah? my Lord Arthur, whither shall I go? |