Anthology of Massachusetts Poets

<h2><SPAN name="chap64"></SPAN>THE SWORD OF ARTHUR</h2> <p class="poem"> A castle stands in Yorkshire<br/> (Oh, the hill is fair and green!)<br/> And far beneath it lies a cave<br/> No living man has seen.<br/> <br/> It is the cave enchanted<br/> (Oh, seek it ere ye die!)<br/> And there King Arthur and his knights<br/> In dreamless slumber lie.<br/> <br/> One time a peasant found it<br/> (Oh, the years have hurried well!)<br/> It was the day of fate for him,<br/> And this is what befell:<br/> <br/> Upon a couch of crystal<br/> (Oh, heart be pure and strong!)<br/> He saw the King, and, close beside,<br/> The armored knights athrong.<br/> <br/> And all of them were sleeping<br/> (Praise God, who sendeth rest!)<br/> The sleep that comes when strife is done<br/> And ended every quest.<br/> <br/> Beside the good King Arthur<br/> (How high is your desire?)<br/> His sword within its scabbard lay,<br/> The sword with blade of fire.<br/> <br/> Now had the peasant known it<br/> (Oh, if we all could know!)<br/> He should have drawn that wondrous blade<br/> Before he turned to go.<br/> <br/> If but his hand had touched it<br/> (The sword still lieth there!)<br/> He would have felt in every vein<br/> A lofty purpose thrill.<br/> <br/> If but his hand had drawn it<br/> (The sword still lieth there!)<br/> A kingly way he would have walked,<br/> Wherever he might fare.<br/> <br/> But no; he fled affrighted<br/> (Oh, pitiful the cost!)<br/> And then he knew; but lo! the way<br/> Into the cave was lost.<br/> <br/> He searched forever after<br/> (All this was long ago!)<br/> But nevermore that crystal cave<br/> His eager eyes could know.<br/> <br/> Pray God ye have the vision<br/> (Oh, search in every land!)<br/> To seize the sword that Arthur bore<br/> When it lies at your hand.<br/></p> <p class="left"> JOHN CLAIR MINOT</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />