The Meaning of the Idylls of the King

T H E ME A N IN G O F

TH E IDYLLS OF TH E KING

A N E SSA Y IN I NTE RP RETATION

O DE B O ST A N N P N LL D . C E I LLE ,

” " A U TH R T H E P H IL O P H Y LIT R AT UR P OC H S O OF OS OF E E . E ” " ” LIT RAT UR T H E A T T H A LAR C H U S OF E E . FE S OF , " ”

T H E D AT H S IR LA U N C L T E T C . E OF E O ,

NEW YORK CI N CIN NATI CHICAGO A M E R I C A N B O O K C O M P A N Y P Rs se

OP YRI GHT 1904 B Y C , , CONDE B E N OIST P A LLE N

’ E nte re d at Statione rs H all , London

TH E MEANING O F‘ T H E IDYLLS OF T H E K ING

W P . I . FO R E W O R D

T H E L d T e n n son a i i letter of or y , the f cs m le of which a a o n a was i n in ppe rs the ﬁrst p ge , wr tte commendation of a bri ef ma ga zin e article on T he

in Idylls o f the K ing published in 1 885 . The ter pre t ati on of the article of 1 885 w as more fully d o d in a i di a i d evel pe ser es of short stu es , lso publ she

a s i n m agazin e form in 1 89 5 . The presen t ess y i a still further ampliﬁcation of the origin al co n ce p

i n i is add d an a n di n eluci t o , to wh ch e ppe x of otes

a n d ti g some points p assed over in the text . T he author has thought it better to treat these points a a in d a id n n a di i n p rt , or er to vo u ecess ry gress o s from the main ten or of his theme . This study i s n ow in d in in n t o re pr te book form , respo se pe at e d requests to put the interpretation in a m ore con ven ien t shape than the p ages of a maga zin e aff ord. C ON TE N TS

TH E G E N ERAL PUR P ORT O F T H E IDY LLS

T H E COMIN G O F A RTH UR

GAR E TH A N D LY N E TTE

G E RAINT A N D E NI D

BA LIN A N D BALAN

ME R LIN AN D V I V I E N

LANC E LOT AN D E LAIN E

TH E H O LY G RAI L

PE LLE AS A N D ETTARR E

TH E LAST TO URNAME NT

G UIN EV E R E

T H E PASSIN G O F A RTH U R

NOTES

T H E ME A N IN G O F TH E ID Y LLS

O F T H E K IN G

T H E GENERAL P URP ORT OF T H E IDYLLS

W H Y should any o n e set about the interpretatio n of the Idylls " IS n ot their mean in g plain en ough — in itself so many vign ettes illustratin g a common theme and tra cin g the A rthuri an legen d through some of its most touchin g episodes in the subtle ’ " imagery of Tennyson s polished muse Mere id an d a a n d an we av ylls , summer l sc pes of te er f cy in g the myths of an an cien t fable into modern

a i i da n b verse , gr ceful p ctures of hero c ys blow y the winds of tradition in to this hurly -burly a ge of sturdy fa ct an d desp otic pra cticality " What n d n n in in a a ﬁnd ee , the , of plu g g to se s of llegory to a mystic meanin g ben eath the glitterin g p agean try ’ of the p oet s lin es " Take them for wh at they

a a t o and i a n themselves ppe r be , r om p ctures of ’ i n d d n b a a an d i a hero c lege , o e y m ster s h , but w th l 8 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

i a an d lie mere p ctures , whose be uty whose worth ’ in a i a nd ad the m ster s use of color , l ght sh e , to

d a d S an d bo y forth the outw r how , the pomp the — splendor of the A rthuri an myth this and n oth in g more . Idle the ofﬁce of interpretation if forestalled by

h as n n such a prej udice . Yet such bee the curre t

n i n a n i n it n d d n ot a in ot o ; ot o , must be co ce e , l ck g exten uation ; for the Idylls were given to the world

i a d i d a i w thout reg r to the r proper or er , c rcum stan ce con tributin g n ot a little to the popul ar mis

un derstandin g of their real scope an d purpose . The la st Idyll of the twelve wa s published ﬁrst

a d in a n i d T he E ic in i fr me poem e t tle p , wh ch the

’ Al orte D A rthur was described as the fra gmen t of

a larger work . The remain in g eleven c ame out at wide intervals without regard to the chron o logical o r logical order of the theme of which each

n a a n is a du e integral part . The tur l j udgme t

was a d d a th t the I ylls , though clustere bout the

A i an n d ha d n o n d an rthur lege , closer bo th the ha zard of the s ame heroic subj ect in such phases

s a a struck poetic fan cy . It wa s n ot un til a fter t e n Idylls ha d foun d their way to the light th at

they were grouped together in their due relatio n . Whether or n o t T he Idylls of the K ing may PURPORT OF T H E IDYLLS 9 j ustly lay claim to the dign ity a nd proportion s of

- n e i at a t is n o ain a i n . b a p c poem , le s there g s y g y o n e who has rea d them in the order in which they a re arran ged in a uthorized edition s subsequen t to — 1 8 8 4 th at they con stitute a sin gle poem with an in timate relation both as to time an d theme .

an i W i n ot But more th th s , hether ep c or , they

W i s an a are a poem hose theme deeper th the surf ce ,

a a n in and n ot mere t ble ux of wo drous color g pose , appealin g only to the e y e an d the fan cy . The pla cin g of a further value o n them than their 1 o h as n d d n di d an d mere utward show i ee bee spute , it h as been averred that a deeper mean in g ha s been re ad in to them than they themselves will warran t

' i i i a i to be re ad out . But such cr t c sm seems to r se rather from the prej udice of a popular misco n ception than from an y discrimin atin g con sidera i i n i in in i n a . M an t o of the r tr s c ture ore th th s , we

m a a i i i in d d n in i y urge th t cr t c sm of the k , e y g the r

i an in i in on an a a d re esoter c me g , mp ges wkw r p dic ame n t of it s o wn makin g ; for if the Idylls be

i a an are n ot a a n mere poet c p ge try , they lw ys eve

a in an a a ad th t , but m y respects mere m squer e of '

ai i a a i n an ia . R e ry m gery , be ut ful but u subst t l

a d d i na i n it g r e from th s exter l v ew o ly , becomes n ecessary t o explain s atisfa ctorily in numerable 1 0 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

a a i a n o i n i an n d obscure p ss ges , wh ch h ve s g ﬁc ce u er

i d- ain in a s as i th s mere wor p t g theory , well to g ve the chief cha ra cters an d the main a ction of the l i d ama a a i na . is A r r t o perspect ve Who rthur ,

n d d an n die W in who , though wou e , c ot ; hose com g an d whose p assin g are a mystery beyon d the ke n

me n in a d a of , s ce from the gre t eep to the gre t ” d " M in a aiI d a eep he goes Who erl , the s ge , , bove all Lad La d at a , the y of the ke , who wells the b ses

i " Fai n d in of the h lls Who the three r Quee s , est ed

A at his n d " a is E a i ’ to help rthur ee Wh t xc l bur , the mystic weapon given to A rthur by the Lady

La at in a a i n R n a of the ke the st ll t o of the ou d T ble , " to be return ed to her at his p assin g What is the

i i Ca i i myst c c ty of melot , bu lt to mus c , therefore n i at all an d i " ever bu lt , therefore bu lt forever

an d a d un These other spects of the I ylls , utterly in i i o n d- ain in it ma tell g ble the wor p t g theory , y be

d are n i in in i an urge , but the u w tt g her t ce of the ’ old legen d an d Tennyson s h eroics are only um

a in me n g echoes of the an cien t mysticism . Yet the

i a n is an d s d myst c l eleme t there , tho e who woul den y it s sign iﬁcan ce in t h e Idylls must bear upon their shoulders the on us of proof that the poet h as n ot seized up on thos e legen da ry Sh adows of higher things to body forth hi s own con ception of his PURPORT OF T H E IDYLLS 1 1 i a din a a i n his own de l , mol g them fter the f sh o of genius . A pa rt from the in con sisten cy of this merely extern al view of the Idylls an d the in explicable

t in d it at a a riddles i leaves beh lmost every p ge ,

ma d n n n i iv we y urge the wor s of Te yso h mself , g i n us more than a quicken in hin t a s to the pro g . g s i foun der sen se of the poems . First a to the r

n i i n i i s i a i n u ty , the percept o of wh ch pr m r ly esse tial to their proper underst an din g : that u n ity will o f course most con clusively stan d forth from a con sideration of their in trin sic ch ar a cter . But prior to such demon stration it ﬁn ds extrin sic sup ~ port from p a ssa ges in the poem entitled T h e E pic . T he E pic is but the poetic envelope of the M o rte

’ D A rthur i a a f ra me n t ' o f a , wh ch the poet c lls g larger work an d which wa s the ﬁrst Idyll pub lish e d a t i in an in a , though the t me complete st te :

" The point I would urge i s th at we may gather ’ n n n in d ain in n Te yso s m from cert l es i T he E pic .

E a d H a a i o n a C i a ver r ll , poet , s ts , hr stm s eve , a roun d the wassail bowl in comp any with boon i fr ends . The subj ect of an epic poem H all had . written at college is brought up

Y ou n said F an h e u n k ow , r k , b r t

H is e i his Kin A u so e t e ve o o p c , g rth r , m w l b ks , 1 2 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

” " An d e n to m e de an din Wh " Oh sir th , m g y ,

H e h u a n in n e w w as said o r e se t o ght th t oth g , l ’ — Som e thing so said tw as n othing th at a truth

L s f e s e s in th e fas i n o f h ook r h t h o t e day . G o d kno ws he h as a mint o f re aso n s : ask

” " m n o It e ase d e e e u . N a n a aid H a pl w ll gh y, y, s ll " " Why take th e style o f tho se h e ro ic time s Fo r n ature b rin gs n ot b ack th e m astodon N o r w e those tim e s ; an d why sho uld any m an Re mode l mo de ls " The se twe lve books o f min e

e e fain H o e i e e s n in o t W r t m r c cho , oth g w r h

ff an aff u n B M e e a d d e tte u . ut r ch r , m ch b r b r t I ,

Said F an is i e d th e e e e n th f o m this e a t r c , p ck l v r h r h ,

in s s i m . i An d a e it Ke e a t u e co e . h v p th g, w ll

- m f r s I b o ard it as a sugar plu o H olme .

And th e o e i e u e d p t, l ttl rg , B ut with so m e pre lude o f disparage me nt

’ Re ad o u in o ut his o o s an d a , m th g holl w s , - e e e s e d usi and to t is e su . D p ch t m c , h r lt

The pa ss a ge is quoted at some len gth to put it s

ad . E a d H a full purport before the re er ver r ll , the i is a n n n i . ma poet , cle rly Te yso h mself It y , w th

S in d a i is n o e vi some how of po t , be urge th t th s d n a nn n h ad a a i n an i e ce th t Te yso ctu lly wr tte ep c , tha t the ﬁctio n of a n epic of twelve books was PURPORT OF T H E IDYLLS 1 3

’ r rt ur simply a fan ciful settin g for the M o te D A h .

A i in i a at a evi dm tt g the force of th s , we h ve le st ’ den ce of Ten nyson s con ception of the possibility of an epic out of the m aterials of the A rthurian

n d an d if h ad n o t a a d it lege ; he ctu lly execute , we

at a nd an d a and a le st u erst th t the purpose , perh ps ’ an wa s in his in d e e . a i s the pl , m s y But wh t espe ci ally n otable i n this pa ssa ge i s that it gives us a

a i n a a i cle r express o of the ch r cter of the ep c ,

a a i n whether lre dy wr tte or merely contemplated. " This we gather re a dily from the lin e that a truth ” n a i looks freshest i the f sh on of the day . The burnt epic the poet regarded a s the vehicle o f a

n d a a l a a i n truth , better co veye fter ter f sh o , bet

d in o a an n oi ter tol ther w ys th i her cs . Therefore

h ad di a d d old in a he sc r e the sett g of th t truth , deemin g it more a cceptable to modern ears in ‘ the fashion of a day other than the style of those

i i . i n wa s n ot a hero c t mes The ep c , the , to be mere ’ a a i n A i an rehe rs l of K g rthur s explo ts , but , more th

i the i settiTi a a ut th s , poet c gof gre t truth to be

t e re d t o the world. What th a t truth i s we are

’ n o t l in i to d th s prelude to the M orte D A rth ur . Sufficien t to gle an from its lin es th at there is in

n d d a a i has d as a te e truth bout wh ch the poet use ,

ain d his a i o p ter woul colors , the be ut es of the ld 1 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

legen d t o body forth an ideal too often forgotten by a gen eration blinded by the pride of its own

philosophies . / E viden ce we have here sufﬁcien t to Show us that the Idylls are more tha n mere vign ettes of an an

' cien t tale . But further evi den ce we also h ave in ’ w Tennyson s o n words wh at that in n er truth i s . In the epilogue to the Idylls is a p assa ge which

a n all A d in puts the m tter bey o d doubt . dress g the Queen the poe t s ays

B ut t u m ue e n ho , y Q ,

’ N ot fo r i e f b ut r th i in o e ts l , th o y l v g l v

’ Fo r o ne to whom I m ade it o e r his grave

Sa e d a e i o ld im e fe a cr , cc pt th s p r ct t le ,

N e w-old an d ad in Se n e at w ar i So u , sh ow g s w th l

Rat e an t a a in e n a a o h r th h t gr y k g whos me , gh st,

S a i e a ud m an - a e d f o un ain tre ms l k clo , sh p , rom m t And cle ave s to cairn an d cromle ch still : or him

’ ’ O f G e ff e o him o f M all e or s o ne o r y s bo k , or , To uche d by th e adulte rous ﬁnge r of a time

at o e e d e e n w ar an d an n n e Th h v r b twe w to ss ,

And crownings an d dethron eme nts .

The key n ote is here pl ainly en ough sounded.

-It is a a adowin S ense a t war with S oul t le sh g ,

s t The Prin ce Con or . PURP ORT OF T H E IDYLLS 1 5

n ot simply the mythical story of a fabled kin g on

i a adi i n n or n i the l ps of popul r tr t o , of the k ghtly

’ ’ hero depicted in Geoff rey s or Malo ry s olden b oplSL/S e n se at war with Soul i s the esoteric ” Eharact e r T he Id lls o the K in an d i i s of y f g , th s

a n e w-old i o E a H a th t truth , , wh ch the p et , ver rd ll ,

d in a i n da thought better tol the f sh o of the y , but which a maturer sen se of the pl astic power an d poetic wor th of the old legen d le d th e poet t o em

d a all in i bo y , fter , the style of those hero c times . In fa ce of this p ass a ge from the epilogue there can be n o r oo m for legitimate doubt as to the meanin g i of the Idylls . W thout this in terpretation put upon them they become in large p art so m a ny

i d idd a a poet ze r les , v lueless s ve for the subtlen ess

an d a i a I be uty of the r im gery . n the light of this inte rpretation they become a lumin ous message of purity t o an age

Touche d by th e adulte rous ﬁnge r o f a time

a e e d e e e n w ar an an o nn Th t hov r b tw d w t e ss .

nn n in an a e W i a s To Te yso , g hose l ter ture h a

i s i i a i become replete w th the gro s sp r t of re l sm , we a re in debted for a n oble poem Whose theme is the

a a i n a i an d i ex lt t o of the be uty of pur ty , th s , where

1 The num e s efe to the notes o n a e s 1 05 to 1 1 5 b r r r p g . 1 6 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

ma a a e i s in d it i n n . the g most bl to , The mess ge B is lumin ous to those who have desire to see . y

a an in d n in i the de f d bl u to holy th gs , the vo ce

i n o t a d i i n o t n and w ll be he r , the l ght w ll be see ,

T h e crime o f se n se be come s

is al a e T h e i e o f a i e an d e u . cr m m l c , q bl m

It i s this crime of sen se become the crime of ’ malice which u n does the buildin g up of A rthur s

a a a n i in re lm , bre ks the h rmo y of the v rtues to the

i sin an d i a n d di d d scord of cr me , srupts the or er

Divin e Wisdom has est ablished a mongst me n .

A ain it i i a man d i Sin g st the sp r tu l , esp te of the , the

i an d a a him an d cr me , the tre chery bout , st s proof , pa ssin g from the old order in the ﬂesh to the ne w

i i d a re i order in the sp r t . The I ylls s mply the — a a n ew old S n at war i dr m of the truth , e se w th

S old a an d n d i oul , the b ttle the ever re ewe str fe between the old an d the n e w m an . The picture is old it s an in ne w a in Si n iﬁ but me g ever , spe k g g " can tly to a gen eration sunk i n the steamin g valleys

n an d in d d id a o n of se se , bl e to the lofty e l the heights above by the gross exh alation s of it s ma t e r a s i li m .

The poet puts the picture before us in an alle

a gory . While to proper u n derstandin g of the

1 8 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

d a has n n a . i truth The e l lost , he bee throw b ck

a upon the mech an ism of art . We h ve therefore

ni d ain i n a n i i much ﬁ she p t g , wrought to exqu s te n i d ai a n id a a cety of et l , but b rre of the e l ; we h ve

a a d ve rsiﬁcation i much el bor te , but l ttle true poe t r i din i a i a a y ; much bu l g , but l ttle rch tecture ; v st d a a i n o i i a e l of form l symbol sm , but true sp r tu l

is n i in i a i n n o r a i a i n ity . There e ther sp r t o sp r t o where there is n o ideal ; n o ide al where truth is

n . r is ar n eglected or de ied T uth the root of t .

Sa an d a n d pless b rre , therefore , the pro uct of the

art ff wi it . a a i e ort thout We h ve much rt ﬁce , but little art .

n a i n has n ot N ot The dege er t o stopped here .

n has id a n a an d n d in an o ly the e l bee b o e , but the err t m adness of the hour an idol has been erected i n its ad an d a i i ste , we h ve the fet ch worsh p of the b ugly y the school of N aturalism . H ere i s the a d a i n n ot n d n a a or t o of eve the gol e c lf , but of

a a . an a i it is be st of cl y Worse th mere rt ﬁce , the p arody of art . The abode of it s choice i s with

in an d it n o n i the sw e , lo ger s ghs for the glory of ’ the Father s house . The crime of s en se h as become

i a i . d i man n ot wi the cr me of m l ce To ep ct , th

n d n hi s the sple or or the glory of truth upo brow ,

man a a id and S in but , the be st , m the husks the w e , T H E COMING OF ARTHUR 1 9

has become a n avowed in ten t an d e n d. The ugly

o a d n ot a i the the gl om of f lsehoo , the be ut ful ,

n i s it s dd n id . i s i sple dor of truth , so e ol It w th

n i s n o n at war out ideal . H ere se se lo ger with soul ; the beast is victorious . V The main purport of the Idylls Is to Show f ortli

in i an d n throu h the k gsh p of the soul , how o ly g ﬁ

s that kin gship the bea st in m an i subdued . Their

‘ a i s a id mess ge rebuke to the pr e of the ﬂesh , the

i n i a i e cr me of se se become the cr me of m l c , the a r a ain i i a ncien t ebellion g st the sp r tu l an d God.

T H E C OMING OF ARTH UR

GU IN E V E R E da in Le o do ran , the ughter of K g g , ” s the fairest of all ﬂesh on earth . The la nd of Le o do gra n i s wa sted by war from within an d

or law n o r a s . In from without . N pe ce i there

n a i has n a d a n d n d ter l str fe s ppe su er the bo of rule , and the heathen from without have poured down upon a helpless p eople .

Fo r many a pe tty kin g e re Arthur came

Ru e d in this i s e an d e e a in w ar l l , v r w g g

E a u on o e as e d all the an d ch p th r, w t l ; An d still fro m time to tim e th e he athe n ho st

S a e d o e se as an d h a ie d at w as e f . w rm v r , rr wh l t 20 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

And so e e e e a a s o f i de n e ss th r gr w gr t tr ct w l r ,

Whe e in th e e ast w as e e e and o e r b v r mor m r ,

An d m an w as e an d e ss i A t u a e . l ss l , t ll r h r c m

P i in i i a man war r or to the com g of the sp r tu l ,

a ra ged a mon gst the hum an p assion s . M an bec me

i a i n d in a d an d a s the r prey ; the p ss o s om te , the

a in man n m an an d be st grew stro ger , the w e less

ci i s ow a a i an . i h n n d less The v t m of brut l p ss o s ,

a th e as a n he bec me ' e y prey of the he the from

/ in i as i . was n o w thout There pr c ple of rule , there

was n o in i n i . n a h av pr c ple of u ty The lower ture , ing n othin g in itself to est ablish o rder a mon gst it s own n i in n do in a d n ot in h ar co ﬂ ct g eleme ts , m te

an i w s mony but in discord . H um soc ety a a wa ste

l ation t he a a n d a de s ea n d at i . e , where b st r ge w ll

e H ere was n eed of o n stron ger th an the beast .

i i a in man a it s in i The sp r tu l must ssert k gsh p , sub

a a id a i n in d j ug te the be st , br le the p ss o s , br g or er

n i n a n d a a a an d i n . out of co fus o , m ke re lm re g

Le o do ran in Cameliard n n ot g , K g of , k ows

i n a id a in A wh ther to tur for , but he r g of rthur

n n d nd him a in : ewly crow e , se s for , s y g

A ise an d e u s ou r , h lp , th

Fo r e e e e e n th e m an an d a h r b tw be st we die . T H E C OMING OF ARTHUR 2 1

A n d a a an d in rthur respo s to the ppe l , , com g to

an e odo ran in the l d of L g , there beholds Gu evere , an d

Fe lt th e light o f h e r e ye s in to his life

Smi e o n th e udde n t s , An d passing the n ce to b attle fe lt

a ai an d t o e s an d a o n ie o f ife Tr v l , hr g s l ,

De siring to b e join e d with Guin eve re .

he in s ai all . S Gu evere i the f rest of ﬂesh , the

in in an i n is fem e d recept ve eleme t , symbol of the n obility an d be a uty of the human body as the destin ed habitation of the soul . Beautiful should

a n a i i a a d i a be the t ber cle of the sp r tu l , well ng p l ce

f it ual in all d an d ai n . t h s ir or er f r ess The soul , e p

n i A i an i it s n at eleme t , wh ch rthur typ ﬁes , m fests ur al disposition to be u nited with the body in the

an d has n ad ni n hum or er , for the soul bee m e for u o ' 2 with the body . It is a spiritual entity made n o t

d a a i an i an i an d to well p rt , l ke gel c subst ce , but w th

in d in i its i an d its a ctivi the bo y , the pr c ple of l fe

ties . A s A rthur goes to battle he pon ders with himself :

H e r fathe r said

a h e e e t n h n s Th t r b w e e t e m a an d b e a t the y die . Sh all I n o t lift h e r fro m this lan d o f b e asts

U to m t ro n e an d side b side i m e " p y h , y w th 22 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

The hum an body is n o t to be left a prey to the be a st ; it must be rescued from the despotism of the brutal p assion s . It must be lifted up from the l an d of beasts to the very thron e of the spirit l ua . H i s it s a b i ere proper pl ce , where , y v rtue

it s n i n i it i n in in of u o w th the soul , re g s comel ess

an d d . On an d power over the worl the other h , how may the soul fulﬁ ll its destin ed mission without this in tima te un ion with the body " What i s the world to it without the body "

h a a in e s to e i n a ne in W t h pp s r g lo ly k g, — e t O e sta s t a udde o e m e V x y r h t sh r v r , O e arth that soun de st hollow un de r m e

e i aste d e a " Fo r a in I b e ine d V xt w th w r ms , s v g jo

h e r a is th e fai e s un de e a e n To th t r t r h v ,

I se e as n in in the i d m oth g m ghty worl ,

An d an n o i m i n o r m c t w ll y w ll , work y work

W o n o r a e se f in ine o w n e a h lly, m k my l m r lm

B in e d i he r i o an d d . ut e e V ct r lor w r I jo w th ,

e n i w e i e t e h e as o n e ife Th m ght l v og t r l ,

An d e i n i n i h o n e i in e e t in , r g g w t w ll v ry h g,

H a e o e o n t i da an d i e n it v p w r h s rk l to l ght ,

An d po we r o n this de ad world to m ake it live .

i d a and in W thout the bo y , e rth the th gs of the — earth a re as n othin g to the hum an soul empty

ad a d a in i n d a . sh ows , w ste re ms the reg o s of e th T H E COMING OF ARTHUR 23

i i a in i in i d an d The sp r tu l pr c ple , the pr c ple of or er

i s i n i it s i it s rule , mpote t to w ll w ll , to work work ,

n a a i a d i n i world of m tter w thout th t bo y , wh ch , whe o n e i it i it an a w th , g ves the me s of power over e rth ff an d the thin gs of ea rth . To e ect the purpose of

a n i n i n i a a the soul , th t u o must be so t m te th t the

a on e a ma i n i two become re lly , th t they y re g w th

i c an n a o ne will in everythin g . Th s o ly be ecom plish e d by liftin g the lower n ature up to the

i i i a n i in i i n a h gher , the sp r tu l u t g tself w th the se su l , in in it s o wn i i a it s own n i fus g sp r tu l ﬁre , oble l fe ,

‘ into it ; an d so m ake the dead world live . A rthur must lift Guin evere up to his thron e Side by side with him . In this episode of A rthur comin g to the l an d of Le odo gran a n d there meeting Guin evere in that

an d a n i his l of be sts , where he co ce ves purpose of

a in Wi is nd a i n . t k g her to fe , the grou of the ct o of

In an a the Idylls . the l d of be sts we ﬁn d sen se at war i an d n i i : a in w th soul , se se v ctor ous the be st man d in an in man : di d om t , the soul overcome scor ,

n i n w ar a an d an a . co fus o , , ch os , rchy supreme To

in a a law a n d d i n ni n br g b ck pe ce , , or er , the soul , u o

i d as it s i a an d n in n w th the bo y v t l co troll g eleme t , must subdue the p assion s an d organ ize human

a i n society o n a spiritual ba sis . The ccompl shme t 2 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

’ i is A i i n of th s work rthur s m ss o . The ﬁrst step i i s u nion with Gu n evere .

’ A fter A rthur h as cleared Le odo gran s realm for him n d in n ni , he se s to the K g three chose k ghts to ’ ask for Guin evere s han d :

Sa in If in au a e e e d e e e y g, I ght h v s rv th w ll , ” m h h n i e e t dau te ui e e e to ife . G v y g r, G v r , w

Le odo ran a an n But g , fter the m er of the flesh , ’ n a in i n a ever pro e to c ll quest o the soul s suprem cy , d in i A an d i con oubts the k gsh p of rthur , requ res I firm ation of his title . n the pride of the flesh he will n ot give his daughter saving to a king wh o i s

’ a n i i lso a king s so n . I the eyes of the world the le g t ’ a A i was i H is own bar m cy of rthur s t tle dub ous . on s h ad i n a ain him di ai in him as in r se g st , scl m g k g him of theirs . H owever much A rthur has helped in his n d Le odo ran ai di n in ee , g f ls to scer the k gly chara cter of the deed ; but measurin g the worth of

a i his a b id an i the s v or of re lm y the pr e of hum b rth ,

n his a ain an d a him if summo s ch mberl , sks he

’ a kn ows aught of A rthur s origin . The ch mber

ain in a nd M in a l refers the K g to Bleys erl , two s ges , ’ w a s in with whom rests the secret . Bleys Merl s ’ a a a Le odo ra n s a m ster , but the l tter , s ys g ch mber

ain so f ar i d his a a a l , outstr ppe m ster , th t the m ster

26 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

which spiritu al liberty is secured . N on e k nows of

’ A i n a all d . S as rthur s b rth ; e rly oubt ome few ,

di Ulﬁus B rastias an d B e llice n t i n Be vere , , , bel eve i

i a im as in an is o n ai . h true k g , but the r ccept ce f th

’ ’ B e dive re s a n swer to the Kin g s in quiries gives the

i a a n o a an . H s n is b a i no t b l tter ssur ce swer y f th , y

i Le o o ran a kn owledge . Wh lst d g deb tes with him ’ i n o f A i i a his in d self the quest o rthur s leg t m cy , m ’ di id d in d n B ellice nt L i an d v e oubt , Quee , ot s w fe ’ A d Si his rthur s repute ster , comes to court . B y way of le adin g up to the main obj ect of his in i Le odo ran a if in qu ry , g sks her she th ks the kin gdom foun ded by A rthur possesses stability an d power en ough to perpetu ate itself . B e llice nt — n na a as a n e e i n n the rr tes , y w t ess , the sce e of the foundin g of the Round Table

e n th e Kin in de e n Th g, low , p to es ,

And si e d o f at au o it mpl wor s gre th r y,

B un d t e b s ai s to his own f o h m y so tr t vow sel ,

a e n t e e n i e d f o n e in Th t wh h y ros k ght r m k e l g, some

e e a e as at th e assin o f a o W r p l p g gh st,

S e u s e d an d o e s da e d as o n e a e om ﬂ h th r z , who w k s ,

- n f a H alf blinde d at the comi g o light .

The Rou nd Table is the spiritual organization

ew i i is a i n n a of man . A n sp r t bre thed to the se su l T H E C OMING OF ARTHUR 27

n e w man a a n a i i . H e man . The w ke s to h gher l fe is sworn to a n ew order of thin gs . H e h as vowed himself to the spiritual he aa d model ; an d those

A t h e i i a man h as n d whom rthur , sp r tu l , bou so

ai i a n n d str ghtly to h mself , grow p le whe the sple or an d awe of that spiritual world ﬁrst open to their

i i n are d . an d da d a v s o ; some ﬂushe others ze , h lf blin ded by the effulgen ce of light that h as burst

n . i a n i n upo them They tremble w th pprehe s o .

B ut whe n h e spake an d che e re d his Tabl e Roun d

i h a e di in e an d fo a e o d W t l rg , v , com rt bl w r s — B eyo n d my tongue to t e ll th e e I b e he ld

’ From e ye to e ye thro all the ir o rde r ﬂ ash A mome ntary like n e ss o f th e King:

’ An d e re it e ft t e i fa e r th e l h r c s , th o cross

An d t o e a un d it an d th e C ucifi e d h s ro r ,

n f o m th e e ase m e nt e Ar u s o Dow r ov r th r, m te

F a e an d azu e in t e e a l me color, v rt r , hr r ys ,

An d fa in u o n e a o f th e e fai ue e n ll g p ch r r q s ,

Wh o d in Si e n e n e a his n e th e f ie nd stoo l c r thro , r s

Of A u azin o n him a i i rth r, g g , t ll , w th br ght

fa h o i h m n S e e e w e i at his e e d . w t c s , w ll h lp

Merlin is also described as presen t

An d ne ar him sto od th e Lady o f th e Lake Wh o kn ow s a subtle r magic th an his o w n

C o th e d in i e a i e sti o n de fu l wh t s m t , my c , w r l ; 28 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

Sh e gave th e King his huge cross -hilte d sword Whe re with to drive th e he athe n o ut : a mist

O f in e n e u e d a u h e r an d h e r fa e c s c rl bo t , c We lln igh w as hidde n in th e min ste r glo om ; But the re w as he ard among th e holy hvm n s

A o i e as o f th e a e s fo r sh e d e s v c w t r , w ll

n in a de e a a s e e o Dow p c lm , wh t o v r st rms

hIa S a e th e d an d e n th e su fa e y h k worl , wh r c rolls ,

H ath po we r to w alk th e wate rs like our Lord .

The mean in g of this p assa ge i s n ot hard to dis

It s a i i i a an i a cover . i p cture of the sp r tu l org z ’ tion effected by the In fusion of A rthur s own spirit

i n into his kn ighthood. They become l ke u to the

in a are i d b i K g , bec use they l fte up y the r vows to

on his great purpose . A s their vows still tremble

i i i a ir C a i the r l ps , the three theolog c l v tues , h r ty ,

H an d Fai a a . in n ope , th , ppe r the perso s of three

ai n a n i in d b f r quee s mo gst them , llum e y three

a a i d i a a i n own r ys of v r e l ght from bove , e ch her

i i a re d n an d . respect ve symbol c l color , , gree , blue This mystic illumin ation strikes down upon them from the e asem e nt above through the cross an d

H im o n it C ruciﬁe d i a n d H im , the , w th those rou , — the pictured scen e on the stain ed glass win dow ’ a A n i n i a it is bove rthur s thro e , to s g fy th t through the aton emen t of J esus Christ tha t these three T H E C OMING OF ARTHUR 29

a n i i n d he ve ly v rtues , the fr e s of the soul to help it at it s n d aid i i a i d ee , come to the of the sp r tu l ze

in i s a n at in m an . M d i erl , or W s om , lso prese t the st allatio n R nd a n ow of the ou T ble , the type of the

i i a i d d i i an d ia . sp r tu l ze bo y , pol t c soc l But more especially to be n oted is the mystic Lady of the

La n a a i a n ke , who possesses eve subtler m g c th ’ I i i n n is i . Merlin s . her Rel g o symbol zed She d in a d a at a i e wells eep c lm the b ses of the h lls , b n a a d in n a e th the stormy w ters of the worl , her eter l

nd has i L d an d F n d repose , a power , l ke her or ou er ,

’ a to w lk the troubled surface of the se a . It is she who gives to A rthur the br an d E xcalibur where with to drive the he athen out ; for it i s Religion that gives to the soul the spiritu al weapon s where with to war a gain st the p assion s an d hell typiﬁed

a a i by the he then . E xc l bur is to be used an d then

n d n ot n i i it s a ' retur e , but u t l the soul qu ts e rthly ten emen t ; then the s oul will h ave n o further n eed

a a n a n it a of we po , for th t mome t p sses from the

S a i i an a i t te m l t t to the st te tr umph ant . Le odo gran is pleased to learn of the great prom

’ ’ ise n of A rthur s ki gdom . But B e lli ce nt s a ccoun t of the Roun d Table does n o t solve his doubt of ’ A rthur s legitima cy . When he a sks her what Sh e

n his i B ellice nt n a a k ows of b rth , rr tes to him the 30 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

’ A in i d in story of rthur s com g , wh ch the y g Bleys had conﬁded to her keepin g ; how he an d Merlin ’ o n n i Uth e r s d a the ght of e th ,

Fro m the c astle gate w ay by th e chasm ﬂ De sce n ding thro ugh th e dismal n ight a n ight In which th e b o un ds o f heave n an d e arth we re lo st

e h e d so i u o n th e d e a de e B l , h gh p r ry ps

e e e d in e a e n a s i th e S a e h e e o f It s m h v , h p, h p t r

’ A d a n w in d an d all f s e to ste n r go g , rom t m r

i it a s ini n e o e o n th e de s Br ght w h h g p pl ck ,

n An d go n e as so on as se e n . A d the n th e tw o

o to th e o e an d a e d th e e at se a fal Dr pt c v , w tch gr l ,

a e afte a e e a i ie t an th e as W v r w v , ch m ght r h l t,

i l as a n in o n e at e in a f th e de e T l l t, th , g h r g h l p

An d fu o f o i e s S ro se an d u n e d ll v c , lowly pl g

R a in an d all th e a e w as in a a e o r g, w v ﬂ m ; An d do w n th e wave an d in th e ﬂ ame w as b o rn e ’ A n a e d a e an d de Me in s fe e k b b , ro to rl t,

Wh o sto o t an d au th e a an d ie d The Kin " p c ght b be , cr , g H e re is an he ir fo r Uthe r " An d th e fringe

O f t a e a e a e e in u th e t an d h t gr t br k r, swe p g p s r ,

Las e d at th e i a d as h e s o e th e d h w z r p k wor ,

An d all at n e all un d him e in ﬁ re o c ro ros ,

h n ﬁ r So that t e child an d h e w e re clothe d i e .

An d e se n e re afte fo o e d a pr tly th r ll w c lm ,

" F e e sk an d sta s : And t is a e i d h e aid r y r h s m ch l , s ,

Is h e who re ign s . T H E COMING OF ARTHUR 3 1

n is A " S a m st e Who , the , rthur urely the b be y

’ riously w ashed up from the deep is n ot U the r s

i " n i his in a i s o n e he r The ght of com g , s ys Bleys ,

n n d a n a n d a whe the bou s of he ve e rth seem to meet . H is comin g is atten ded by the a pp a rition Of a

in in S i i n d a it sh g h p , so h gh upo the eeps th t

d i n a n an d d are i i seeme he ve , whose ecks br ght w th

a i a . N i n a a a i i celest l people e gre t w ves , e ch m ght er

an a oa in i n a d th the l st , come r r g w r to the shore ,

an d nin a in a nd a the th sweeps ﬂ m g up the str , be r

’ in g a n aked b abe to Merlin s feet . This IS the a dven t of the hum a n soul from th at — etern ity when ce it comes to hum an birth to the

in i . So d shores of t me oes the poet s g elsewhere ,

An d bre aking le t th e sple n dor fall

T o s an e all th e a s o re s p gl h ppy h ,

B i the e an d o e an so un ds y wh ch v r st, c

An d ta an d s s e in as , s r y t m roll g p t, A so ul Shall draw fro m o ut th e vast An d strike his b e in g in to

i s ni a n ial It out of eter ty , from mo gst the celest

o n S in in i a a people the h g sh p , the sh pe thereof

d a n in d a n i n i i r go w ge , the c e t Br t sh symbol of sov

e re i n t a in n g y , th t the soul comes to the bou ds of

n Memo iam . xi I r cxx . 3 2 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

an i n . i n a d in hum ex ste ce It comes sw the ﬁre , the

M in ai i symbol of life . erl procl ms th s b abe from ” out the deep The Kin g " H e is Kin g n ot be ’ a i s i o f U th e r s d b i c use he the he r bo y , but y v rtue

i i a a s of the sp r tu l suprem cy of the soul . It i the

in i i n a A n d k gsh p of the h gher over the lower ture .

i is in a d in n ow th s the K g , s ys the y g Bleys , who reign s . When B ellice nt question s Merlin as to the truth ’ an i n a of Bley s story , he swers her wh t she terms 9 9 riddlin g triplets of old times

Rain rain an d sun "a ain in th e Sk " , r bow y A yo un g m an will b e wise r by an d b y ;

’ n m n An o ld m a s wits ay wa de r e re h e die .

Rain ain an d sun "a ain o n th e le a " , r r bow An d truth is this to m e an d that to the e ;

An d truth or clothe d or n ake d le t it b e .

Rain sun an d ain "an d th e f e e sso m o s " , r r blo bl w

Sun ain an d sun "an d e e is h e n o s " , r wh r who k w

s From th e gre at de e p to th e gre at de e p h e go e .

’ B e llice nt s hum an curiosity would pierce the ’ i in an d M in an mystery of the soul s or g , erl swers

in a a idd a i an in her wh t she c lls r les , bec use the r me g ’ n i n M in is beyon d her limited comprehe s o . erl s

3 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

" ’ i e a n a A i we ghs the y or y to rthur s su t ,

a n d in d i i his , grow g rowsy w th the perplex ty of

d n d an d an d oubt , o s sleeps , sees

e a in a S o e o f an d a e e e Dr m g, l p l th t v r gr w ,

Fie d afte ﬁe d u to a e i t th e e a l r l , p h gh , p k

H a e - idde n and t e e o n a an o in z h , h r ph t m k g,

N o w o in and n o w an d o n th e lo m g, lost ; slope

T h e s o d o e th e in d fe th e h e d w as d i n w r r s , h ll , r r ve ,

Fi e i e d and all th e an d f f and i r gl mps ; l rom roo r ck ,

In d if s o f o e e f e a in ind r t sm k b or roll g w ,

S e a e d to th e e a an d in e d it th e h a tr m p k , m gl w h ze

An d ade it i e i e th e an in m th ck r, wh l ph tom k g Se nt out at time s a voice ; an d he re or th e re

' Sto d o n e wh o in e d t a d th e i e th e e s o po t ow r vo c , r t " S e o n an d u n in N 0 in o f u l w b r t, cry g, k g o rs ,

N o son o f U e an d n o in o f u th r, k g o rs ;

i i a in his d e am w as an e d th e aze T ll w th w k r ch g , h De sce n de d an d th e solid e arth b e came

As n in b ut the Kin st d o ut in e a e n oth g, g oo h v ,

C rown e d .

’ Le o do gran s dream is a V ision of the turmoil an d i an i war str fe of hum l fe , the ﬁerce of the p a ssion s cloudin g the moral atmosphere a n d bin d in m e n in a an d a n cr g , who the he t r ge of co test y

a a in i n a a in a out g st the r better ture , swe r g th t the

i i a man s o i n ot t d . n sp r tu l be obeye They bur , T H E COMING OF ARTHUR 35

a d a a i own destroy , sl y , hee less of ught s ve the r i i . E a d n fur ous purpose ch woul be sovere g , rec

o n i zin n o l aw in n o . In i dis g g , obey g ruler the r

i s a order they perish . When the battle over nd the

n aid an d a as dust of co test l , the smoke ﬂ me of p

i n a d i i a m a S a n d in his s o p sse , the sp r tu l n t s out

a n d in n a idin n glory crow e k g , the o ly b g prese ce

l as a where al else h v nished.

’ A ll Le o do gran s doubts are dispelled by his vision . H e n ow recognizes the kin gship of the spiritual man . It is n o lon ger a question whether ’ th r o A rthur be U e s s n or n ot . H e h as a higher cl aim to sovereign ty than the a ccident of roy al

r n i H e is in b p oge tors . k g y a divin er right than ’ di . S n din A a a ad Le here ty e g for rthur s mb ss ors ,

’ o dogran a n swers ye s to the K in g s suit ; an d so

in i s i n A i i Gu evere g ve to rthur to w fe , wh ch twain

D ubric i ain d a n d a in , the h gh s t , we s blesses , s y g

Re i n e an d e an d a e th e o d g y lov , m k w rl

O h e an d m a th ue e n b e o n e i e e t r ; y y Q w th th , An d all this O rde r of thy Table Ro un d Fulﬁll th e b o un dle ss purpose o f th e King"

Through the un ion of the ﬂesh with the spirit

d is m e i the worl to become other , n l fted up above

i n an i i a the brut sh se se , d the sp r tu l order estab 36 IDYLLS OF T H E KING lishe d in the Rou n d Table to work out the bou n d

t a less purpose of the Kin g . A the m rriage fe ast

d R a an i the lor s of ome , the symbol of p g sm , the

adin i d an d at slowly f g m stress of the worl , st the

a a in in n at n port l of the church g z g scor the sce e , ’ i A n i ai n ew d wh le rthur s k ghts procl m the or er , sin gin g :

B t u e fo r th e d is i e i M a low r mp t, worl wh t w th y

o w um e th e n n i a e d a a " Bl tr p t, lo g ght h th roll w y — Blow through th e livin g world Le t th e King re ign "

T h e Kin i fo o C ist and we th e Kin g w ll ll w hr , g,

In whom high G o d h ad bre ath e d a se cre t thing. Fall b attle ax an d ﬂ ash bran d " Le t th e King re ign "

3 s in i e w is It i the spr gt me of the n order . It

E a a n i a re surre c the ster se so , the t me of the gre t

i a i n . n i h as d a a a nd i t o The ght rolle w y , the sp r tu l sun h as risen in his glory o n a world white with

a purity n d the promise of the ﬂower to come .

Le t i i a m n i n n i H is the sp r tu l a re g i Chr st . e our

o o true kin g . N r Rome n r heathen sh all rule where

A i n i i a man ad in i n rthur re g s , the sp r tu l m e k g

Christ .

n a d R d an d i Whe the gre t lor s of ome em tr bute ,

A an a in : rthur swers them , s y g T H E COMING OF ARTHUR 37

T h e o ld o de an e t ie din a e to n e w r r ch g h , y l g pl c ;

An d w e th a ﬁ h fo r o ur fair fa e Ch is t g t th r r t, Se e ing that ye b e gro w n to o w e ak an d o ld

T o d i e th e e ath e n f o u R an a r v h rom y r om w ll ,

N o tribute will we pay .

The reign of p agan Rome i s over ; a n e w e ra

w s i H n h as in a n e law i a d . come , est bl she e ce forth me n a re to be ruled by a spiritu al kin g ; the old a ian d ha s n d a n d lleg ce to the worl bee severe ,

in i n it s a o A a n e w k gdom set up pl ce . S rthur an d his n i i i R and k ghts str ve w th ome , , through bein g o ne in will

In twe lve gre at b attle s o ve rcame

T h e e a e n o de an d ade a e a and h th h r s m r lm re ign e d .

The spiritual order is n o w co nﬁrmed a nd A r

’ thur s kn ights wedded by their vows to the pur pose o f their King :

T o re ve re n ce th e King as if h e w e re

h e i n s ie n e , and e i o n s ie n e as e ir Kin T r co c c th r c c c th g , T o bre ak th e he ath e n an d upho ld th e Christ ; T o ride abro ad re dre ssin g hum an wro ngs ;

T o S e a n o s an de n o n o r i te n to it ' p k l r, , l s T o le ad sw e e t live s in pu re st ch astity ;

T o o e o n e m aide n o n e a e to h e r l v ly, cl v ,

An d o s i h e r b e a o f n o e de e d w r h p y y rs bl s ,

Un il e w o n h t th y e r . 38 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

In this way is to be brought about the clean sing

a i a i n of the re lm , the pur ﬁc t o of the heart an d the

n n in i b ain in and i stre gthe g of the w ll , y restr g d rect in d i a an d b disci lin g the es res to pure obj ect , y p in g them through repeated efforts to the attain I men t of its ide al . n this way are the p a ssion s to

d i a n n ot a be subj ecte to r ght re so , st mped out , but

id d i an d gu e to the r true proper obj ect . S o man is a ain a n i in a f to tt the perfect h rmo y of l v g , the f e ctio ns an d the will ten din g in u n ison to the go al

i n law d an d i i n in in of perfect o ; , or er , j ust ce re g g

d s i i a man in the worl through the p r tu l , true k g

n a d true lord.

GARE TH A N D LY NE TTE

IN Gare th and L ne t te n d d are y , the seco I yll , we shown the developmen t of the in dividual un der the directive in ﬂuen ce of the spiritual organiz ation . The story of G areth m ay be rega rded as an epit ome of the theme of the Idylls . It is the history of the hum an soul in mortal combat with the pow

n a s i i ers of se se . G reth i the type of the sp r t ualize d man i i i n v ctor ous over t me a d death . GARETH A N D LYNETTE 39

Gareth is the last tall son of Lot an d B elli ” n o d his i ce t , the best bel ve of mother , who cher shes him in fon d solicitude ap art from the busy w ays

e i id an d n a i o irk of m n . Th s le u proﬁt ble l fe gr ws

ddin an d o f i some to the bu g m hoo the rest ve youth , in whose bosom ﬂames that un quen ch able a spira tion of the n oble soul to the fame of great deeds ’ H e i don e for the Kin g s sake . urges h s suit with i more th an the keen impetuos ty of youth . The ardor of his aspira tion burn s a way the n atural bon ds of affection ; but he yields obedien ce an d ’ is h n n . She in d in seeks mother s co se t , her ot g love , would hold him b ack . She pictures a life of ease an d s a fety to him o n his an cestral domain s with some comfortable bride a n d fair a n d a mid the

a a i ple sures of the ch se . But th s were a life of sloth a n d S a a a and i n n h me to soul th t sees , w ll be co te t o nly with the highest

Shame "

' ’ n m M a a n a an s u s do . I grow , m work m t I

F th e de e " Fo o th e C ist th e Kin ollow r ll w hr , g,

Li e u e s e a t ue i n fo th e Kin v p r , p k r , r ght wro g, llow g

E e e e fo e o n " ls , wh r r b r

Seein g that the comforts an d alluremen ts of the

n ann a a his i r se ses c ot sh ke G reth from h gh pu pose , 4 0 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

in the mother , the folly of her love , would ’ doubts o n A rthur s kin gship

Wilt tho u le ave

Tin e e ase fu idin e e an d i s thin e all h l b g h r , r k ,

Life i s fo r o n e at 1 s n o t o e n Kin " , l mb , th pr v g

a man i i a a i a i n But to G reth , the of sp r tu l sp r t o , — there i s but o n e test of kin gship the ki n gly deed

N o t e n wh o s e th e du o f uine d Ro e prov , w pt st r m

F o ff th e th e sh o d o f th e re a and u e d rom r l lm , cr sh

T h e d ate s an d ade th e e o e f e e " I ol r , m p pl r Wh o Should b e King save him who m ake s u s fre e "

S o ever run s the an swer of the spiritu al m an ; kin gly is as kin gly does . Who succors us from the thraldom of the sen ses proves his right to reign . ’ s Such i s Gareth s in domita ble purpose . A n d hi

’ ” in n i n a in o n e mother , see g her so s w ll u w ver gly , yields to his importun ity o n o n e con dition : th a t he walk through ﬁre an d smoke to the attainmen t — o f his obj ect h e must serve a twelvemon th a n d a ’ i n e day a s a scullion in A rthur s k tche . Sh thinks the shame of such service will prove too grea t a ’ test to her son s pride . B ut to the spiritu al man

i i i a the lowlier the serv ce the h gher the v rtue . B se

h I s n ot i ri t e d d n d . P i s ness i ee , but the oer r de ha

4 2 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

’ Gareth s hen chmen grow fe a rful at the weird a a a n i i an n a in ppe r ce of the myst c c ty , o ﬂ sh g through and then v an ishin g in the Shiftin g mists

nin . an o of mor g They become reluct t to g further , a n d importun e Gareth to turn b a ck home an d de sert an en terprise where m agic seems to play the

i a . a a in at i ch ef p rt But G reth , l ugh g the r churl ish a fe rs ,

u e d t e all un i in t a d th e a e p sh h m w ll g ow r g t , An d the re was n o gate like it un de r he ave n ;

Fo r a e f o n th e e s o ne i h w as in e d b r oot k y t , wh c l

An d i e d i e an e e e e tin a e r ppl l k v r ﬂ g w v , T h e Lady of th e Lake stood ; all h e r dre ss We pt fro m h e r side s as w ate r ﬂ o wi ng aw ay ;

B ut i e th e ss h e r e at an d d a s , l k cro , gr goo ly rm Stre tche d u n de r all th e co rnice an d uphe ld ; An d dro ps o f wate r fe ll from e ithe r han d ;

An d d n f m o n e a d w as u n f o m o ne ow ro swor h g, r

A e n e e it e n it ind an d s m c s r, h r wor w h w tor ;

’ An d o e r h e r bre ast ﬂ o ate d th e Sacre d Fish ;

An d in th e s a e to e f of h e r an d i t p c l t , r gh ,

’ e e A t u a in e i d de i e s do ne W r r h r s w rs w r v c ,

N e w in an d o ld co—t iste d as if ti e th gs w , m

e e n in so in ve te ate th at m e n W r oth g, r ly, We re giddy gazing the re : an d o ve r all

H i h o n th e to e re t o se h e e u e e n th e f ie n d g p w h t r q s , r s

O f A hu wh o h u d e h im at his n e e d . rt r, s o l h lp GARETH A N D LYNETTE 4 3

The titan ic ima ge c arved above the gates of the

i i is R i i n Lad La . myst c c ty el g o , the y of the ke Through religion do we en ter the spiritual city of

’ i i n is a a A C amelot . Rel g o the g tew y to rthur s

din a court , the house of the soul . The uphol g rms

Lad La S d i of the y of the ke tretche l ke the cross ,

Si n i i a d i n i ni the g of sp r tu l re empt o , s g fies the sus tain ing power of religion in the social an d mora l order ; stretched u n der all the corn ice an d up held the water flowin g from her h an ds sign ifie s

a i a n d a i n n a i n an d a d n b pt sm bsolut o , rege er t o p r o ;

nd d d i i a a n the suspe e swor , the sp r tu l we po s of the

n a an d a i a soul ; the ce ser , pr yer s cr ﬁce ; the s cred

’ th e I ﬂan i n C i m d zi ﬁsh , x c, the c e t symbol of hr st , for e

in i ia n n J from the t l letters of the Greek se te ce , esus

4 ’ C i on o i A a in S G d Sa . hr st , of , v our rthur s w rs , the

a i an d i sp ces to the r ght left of her , symbol ze the ’ soul s battles with sen se a n d time ; the three queen s . a Fa i H an d C a i e bove , th , ope , h r ty , the three the

i a i V n in all . log c l rtues , crow g A s Gareth an d his da zed followers stan d starin g

a t a a a a i n d an a the gre t g te , bl st of mus c sou s , d — a a d d a i d gr y be r e s ge , type of w s om , comes out from

i an d in i a re . a re the c ty , qu res who they G reth plies th a t they a re tillers o f the soil come to see the ’ A i an d at a i glory of rthur s c ty , the s me t me begs 4 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KING the graybeard to con vin ce his skeptical followers ’ of the city s reality

e e m m e n Th s , y

Y u i e d so w e irdlv in th e ist ( o r c ty mov m ) ,

u if th e Kin b e Kin at all o e Do bt g g . or c m From Fairylan d ; an d whe the r this b e built

B a i an d b fai in s an d ue e n s y m g c , y ry k g q ;

O r e e e e b e an i at all wh th r th r y c ty , O r all a V ision : an d this m u sic n o w

H ath scare d the m both ; b ut te ll thou the se th e truth .

C a i s i i a i Civitas D e i i melot the sp r tu l c ty , wh ch

i a a d a s old the t llers of the e rth , c ttle of the ﬁel , the

a a d wa s n o a i n a seer c lls them , verre re l c ty , but o ly

i n n a ma i s o n e a i vis o . To the se su l n there but re l ty

an d a is a . a is n ot i i e e th t m tter Wh t v s ble to the y ,

a a n i n ot ni as a . p lp ble to the se ses , he w ll recog ze re l

e n a old e ade an e ay in o n him Th th t se r m sw r, pl g , " An d a in : So n a e e e n th e o o d S i sai s y g , I h v s g h p l Ke e l upw ard an d m ast dow n w ard in th e he ave n s An d solid turre ts to psy-turvy in ai r;

An s d he re i truth .

To those who are sunk in the grossn ess of their

n a a i n cri lower ture, who m ke the r se ses the sole

t e ri o n a an d n d of the re l the true , the wo ers of the

i a n a a b are a M won m r ge rr ted y the seer bsurd . ore GARETH A N D LYNETTE 4 5

e rf ul an i ma d th these , the h gher truth ; but how y the y k n ow it who m ake th e brute sen se the mea sure " of all kn owledge E ven in these physical phenom e n a is truth which they c an n ot perceive .

B ut an it e a e t e e n o t pl s h ,

h u as t u as o d it Take thou t e tr th ho h t t l me .

Fo r t u as t o u sa st a fai in r ly, h y , ry k g

An d fai ue e n s a e ui t th e it son ry q h v b l c y, ; — Th e y c am e fro m o ut a sacre d mo u ntain cle ft

a d th e un i se e a i a in an d Tow r s r , ch w th h rp h ,

h u si o f th i h ar s An d built it to t e m c e r p .

An d . as t o u a s it is e n ante d so n , h s y t, ch , ,

Fo r t e e is n o t in in it as it se e s h r h g m ,

’ Savin g th e King; th o some th e r e b e th at hold T h e Kin g a s h adow an d th e city r e al

Y e t ta e t u e e d o f him fo r so t ou a k ho h , , h p ss

B e n e ath is ar a t e n i t o u e o th chw y, h w lt h b c me

A a his e n an e nts fo r th e Kin thr ll to ch tm , g Will bin d the e by such vow s as is a shame

A m an s u d n ot b e un d b e t th e i h ho l bo y, y wh c

N o m an c an e e b ut so t u dre ad to s e a k p ; , ho w r,

P as n o t e n e a t is a e a b ut a ide s b th h g t w y, b

Wit o u a n th e at e o f th e ﬁ e d . h t, mo g c tl l

Fo r an e e a d a u si i e e n y h r m c , l k ow

T h e v are ui din s i se e in th e it i s ui b l g t ll , g c y b lt

T o u i t e e fo e n e e ui at all m s c . h r r v r b lt ,

An d th ere fore built fore ver . 4 6 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

To the sen su al man all sha dow an d magic is this

i in a d . c ty of the K g , the bo e of the soul To him the

in n na n are n a i i ﬂeet g phe ome of se se the o ly re l t es , — an d i n i a i a n ot Ix o l ke he embr ces the m ge , the sub

an N o t i o f . an d t a is i st ce , truth of br ck mor r bu lded

i i God in i i i th s c ty of , but of the v s ble v rtues of the

and it is i i a di in a n soul , bu lt to mus c , to th t v e h rmo y of order which keeps the perfect con cord of truth an d be a uty an d love in the spiritu al kin gdom ; a nd it is i din an d i ever bu l g , therefore bu lt forever , for this kin gdom of the soul i s an in stitution wherein

r in e iﬁ e n i n In i souls a e ever be g d d u to perfect o . th s

i is n in a a in all in c ty oth g re l s v g the soul , else be g but

n i i a ty pe an d Shadow . Who e ters th s c ty must swe r ’ in di n in the K g s vows , uttermost obe e ce to the K g , an d ad i a i hi to le sweet l ves of purest ch st ty , vows w ch it is a a a man n ot a sh me for to swe r , but vows

i no m an i as man can can wh ch , s mply , keep ; for he

i Le t fulﬁll them only by becoming spiritu al zed. him who d ad a a n ot n a re s to swe r , p ss be e th the mystic a rchway which gives en tran ce to the spir itual i a id i a n a c ty , but b e w thout mo gst the c ttle of

d n n in n . the ﬁel , who k ow o ly the th gs of se se The Spiritu al kin gdom is en tered o n ly through Relig

n in d a n i on . Who refuses to e ter there wells mo gst

n n in r . a n ot the brutes , ever k ow g t uth G reth , GARETH A N D LYNETTE 4 7 comprehen ding the veiled truth which the old seer

an d in in a is in d utters , th k g th t he be g mocke ,

in di nan u ﬂ ashes into an ger an d retorts g tly , p braidin g the s age for mockin g o n e wh o h ad spoken

The ol man i him fai r . d repl es

Kn o e n o t e n th e ridd in of th e a d " w y , th , l g b r s

C o nfu i n an d i usio n an d e a i n s o , ll , r l t o , ” E usi n an d asio n an d e a i n " l o , occ , v s o

I mock the e n o t b ut as thou mocke st m e .

And now u e s u to th e Kin tho go t p mock g, f l Who cann ot brook th e Shadow o any ie .

d i a in d are You , wellers w th the c ttle the ﬁel s , who

ind d i i a n a in do a bl e to the sp r tu l ture of th gs , but t ke the words of truth a fter the m an n er of your own

f i i n in i n an a d . n d ﬂ ct o , bl ly The truth seems co fus o i i wh a a i n ot n ou o d it as lie . s llus o to y , reg r It I

ou in are who mock y , but yourselves mock g the truth

i i own a a an the v ct ms of your mockery . Th t cle r d limpid surfa ce return s your o wn distorted im age

a i ou a it o wn f thfully to y , but bec use reﬂects your d a d a a a ou are a b e re ful fe tures so ccur tely , y lo th to

i a is i l eve th t there truth in it . To adm t that truth is n ow d i to co fess your n eform ty . But he who 4 8 IDYLLS OF T H E KING would en ter i nto the spiritual city must ﬁrst see

i a s a is a n d a n an him h mself he re lly , so le r to cle se

all n self from t aint of u ntruth . U less he be so puri

ﬁe d i i a i i a n i i n and a , the sp r tu l c ty w ll be but llus o mockery to him . A fter Ga reth has served a term in soo ty kitchen ’ a a a as a i n at in a is v ss l ge scull o the K g s court , th t , a fter he h a s been profoun dly exercised i n the vi r

i i an d di n n tues of hum l ty obe e ce , the true cor er

n o f i i a i is at a n i d sto es the sp r tu l l fe , he l st k ghte an d i n a b in to di g ve quest y the K g , much the sgust

K a S n a saw n ot n of y the e esch l , who the oble soul t under the disguise of the kitchen knave . A this ’ time the damsel Ly n ette comes to A rthur s court to persuade Sir Lan celot to un dertake a quest a gain st

a n i wh o Si L four redoubt ble k ghts hold her ster , y o no rs a i n in C a P i a n d , pr so er the stle er lous , rou

i in n a a id i . A t a wh ch , three loops , ru s r p r ver e ch of the p asses of this three -looped stream a bides on e of the four k n ights to gu ard the ford again st all comers ; the fourt h dwells u n seen u n der the c astle walls in the horror o f a mysterious silen ce .

a i s an d the ' ue st n i n an d G reth gr te q , to the co fus o in di n a i n an L n h ad g t o of the petul t y ette , who

’ asked for A rthur s greatest an d most ren own ed

L n ani n i Lan . k ght , celot y ette , type of the v ty of

5 0 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

The guardian of this p a ss calls himself the

A t i a n Morn in g St ar . h s comm d three m aiden s " ” in i an d ai n g lt rosy r me t , whom he terms

a a n a a and arm him . D ughters of the D w , ppro ch

’ e e a d him in ue a s an d a e a S ie d Th s rm bl rm , g v h l

n d e e n th M o n in ue a o a e S a . Bl ls , th r o r g t r

An d a e i e n t az e d u o n th e n i G r th s l g p k ght,

t d a e n e re his se w as u t Who s oo mom t, hor bro gh ,

o r in an d in th e s e a e n e a him n e Gl y g; tr m b th , sho ,

’ in e d i h H e a e n s a u e a e in Imm gl w t v z r w v r gly,

Th e a a i i n an d th e n a e d fe e g y p v l o k t,

h s n n h H is a t e ro v ai e a d t e a . rms , r m t, st r

An d all at ﬁe ry Spe e d th e two

’ Sh o ck d o n th e e n t a id e an d e i e r e a c r l br g , th sp r

e n t b ut n ot a e an d e it e n i at n B br k , h r k ght o ce , H url d as a ston e from o ut a catapult

’ e n d his e u e an d th e id e B yo hors s cr pp r br g ,

Fe as if de ad b ut u i y o e an d d e ll , , q ckl r s r w ; ’ An d a e t lash d ﬁ e e i his an d G r h so rc ly w th br ,

H e d o e his e n a a d d n th e rid e r v emy b ckw r ow b g , " T h e dam se in We - i e n it e n n a e " l cry g, ll str ck , k ch k v ’ Till G are th s shie ld w as clove n ; b ut o n e stro ke

ai him n n n L d that clove it grove li g o th e grou d.

The Knight of the Morn in g Sta r symbolizes

Y o an d a a i i n in i d i uth , the g y p v l o , wh ch he wells w th GARETH A N D LYNETTE 5 1

ai n i n ai n is a d a . his m de s rosy r me t , the bo e of ple sure

a n e a i it s t e m t a Youth , the se so of pl sure , w th p

i n a d a i i t o s , gu r s the ﬁrst p ss of the r ver of l fe , here

i a n d n a i i i a m an in his sw ft rrow , wh ch the sp r tu l

mort a l j ourn ey must cross . B arrin g hi s way i s the

n in S a H im i Kn ight of the Mor g t r . must the sp r

N o r s i a i at itu al man van quish . i th s ccompl shed i n n or S . N o t the ﬁrst o set , w thout ﬁerce truggle

n i n i M n in S a is u t l the K ght of the or g t r , who

n i in a is stro g w th the w e of ple sure , brought grovel

i n g to the grou n d is victory assured . Then is he

at nie rc i i a m an n d him the y of the sp r tu l , who se s to ’ A C r n ot in an n n rthur s ourt , there to se ve , w to ess

an d a n in i an d i n l wless ess , but v rtue subj ect o to the

n Ki g .

’ n a i L n i re Upo G reth s v ctory , y ette , though st ll

vilin i in s g the v ctor , s g

O mornin g star (n ot that tall fe lon the re

W u b so e o r un a in e s hom tho , y rc ry h pp s

O r so e de i e h as f u e t o n m v c , t o lly ov r hr w ) ,

O n in sta t a sm ile st in th e ue mor g r h t bl ,

0 sta m n in d e a a h ro e n t ue : r , y mor g r m h t p v r

S i e s e e t u "m e ath i e d o n m e . m l w tly, ho y lov h sm l

It is a s the messen ger of the imprison ed La dy Ly o n ors that Lyn ette sin gs the ﬁrst victory of the 5 2 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

is n ot n in soul over sen se . It the mor g sta r of

a n ot n d n b ple sure , the co quere felo overthrown y

a a n i n a G reth , whom she s lutes , but the mor g st r of

i i a d n o w i n n d n in the sp r tu l worl , r se resple e t the

a n an d a in na i d . w , pres g g the ﬁ l v ctory to come A t the secon d loop the N oonday Sun stan ds gu ard ag a in st their pa ss a ge

H u e on a u e re d o se an d all in ai g , h g h r , m l

u n is e d to lin din h n e th e N o o n da Sun B r h b g, s o y

in S f th e n d a a a . A s i e B yo r g g h llow ﬂower,

a a e of af e arro wle ts Th t blows glob t r ,

T e n o u an d-f d h ad n as e d th e ﬁ e e s ie d th s ol grow , ﬂ h rc h l ,

’ All sun ; an d Gare th s e ye s h ad ﬂying blots

n h n f m B e fore them whe e tur e d rom watching hi .

” U h " ie d th e Sun an d iz in u a re d g cr , v or g p

An d i e r fa o f un de d f o ish n e s c ph ce ro o l s ,

’ P us d e a th e f a in o f th e f d h hors cross o m gs or , Whom Gare th m e t midstre am : n o room w as th e re Fo r lan ce or tourn ey skill : fo ur stroke s th e y struck

it w d an d h e se e e i t th e n e w ni W h s or , t w r m gh y ; k ght H ad fe ar h e might b e shame d ; b ut as th e Sun

H e a e d u a nde u s arm to t i e th e ﬁf v p po ro s r k th,

T he f o f his o se S i in th e e a th e am hoo h r l pt str m , stre

e e nde d an d th e Sun w as ash e d a a . D sc , w w y

nda Sun a a i a in din i The N oo y , bl ze w th bl g l ght ,

a n idd a e in i i s the se so of m le g , glow g ﬁerce w th the GARETH A N D LYNETTE 5 3

a n ambition s of the world. H e gu rds the seco d loop

i i a i n it s d a a in a of the r ver of l fe , b rr g for , r g g sh l

a ain a a i i a m an . H is low , g st the p ss ge of the sp r tu l cipher fa ce of roun ded foolishn ess i s emblematic

a i i n an i an i i of the folly of mb t o , the v ty of v t es , ” an d all is an i i in H i . v ty , of the w se K g of oly Wr t

S a an d a i him h rp rough the b ttle w th , blow for blow ,

ff ff n i n d b bu et for bu et , u t l he goes u er , y the over

a an his own n in i b l ce of huge stre gth , the sl ppery shallows of the stre a m he would hold again st the spiritual man . A gain Lyn ette si n gs

0 Sun n o t is s n fo o h th o u Sir Kn a e ( th tro g l w om v , ’ H as t ove rthro w n thro m e re unhappi n e ss)

0 Sun th a w ake n e st all to i ss o r ain , t bl p ,

0 M o o n t a a e s all to s e e a ain , h t l y t l p g ,

hin e s e e t i e m e a i e d o n m S w tly ; w c y lov h th sm l e .

’ The glory of the spiritu al man s victory of the — o w e morn h as n risen to mid day splen dor . H who h as conquered the p a ssion s of youth is victorious

a a over the h rsher tempt tion s of middle a ge . The sun of his victory shin es resplen den t i n the mid

a n . i ha s n d a n d i he ve s Tw ce he co quere , the prom se

na i in i n of ﬁ l v ctory grows br ght ess . 5 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

A t the third loop the Kn ight of the E ven in g

a an a St r st ds gu rd . H e is clothed i n harden ed

in a him i his own . a L n sk s , th t ﬁt l ke These , s ys y

i n d n if his a ette , w ll tur the swor eve rmor be cleaved

i a a from h m . G reth decl res th a t the s ame stren gth which threw the Morn ing Star can throw the E ven

n a i g St r . The n that othe r ble w

A a d and de ad n u n th e n h r ly ote po hor . " ” Approach an d arm m e " With slow ste ps from out

An o ld —e a e n u se an - tain e d storm b t . r s t, m y s

P a i i n fo h a iz z e d da e a e v l o , rt gr l ms l c m , ’ An d a m d him in old a an d u a e r rms , bro ght h lm

i b ut a d in e e e n fo r e W th ry g vergr cr st,

An d a e a ie d h e e o n th e S a of E e n g v sh l w r t r v ,

H a f t a n i h e d an d a f i his e e n . l r s h l br ght, mbl m , sho e ’ B ut e n it i e e d o e r th e add e wh gl tt r s l bow , Th ey madly hurle d toge the r o n th e bridge ;

And a e h e him i te d d e G r t overthr w , l gh , r w ,

e e m e t him d a n an d e e h im a ain Th r r w , ov rthr w g , B ut up like ﬁ re h e starte d ; and as o ft

As a e h u him o e in o n his ne G r t bro ght gr v l g k es ,

So an a im e h e au e d u a ain m y t v lt p g ,

i l a e h an e d a d an d his e a e a T l G r t p t h r , gr t h rt,

F e do in all h is t u e w as i n ain or om g ro bl v ,

La e d it in him fo r h e e e e d as one bor w h , s m

h at all in a e adde a e e in T l t r, s r g , b g s

war a ain s ill u se of a ife To g t s l , GAR ETH A N D LYNETTE 5 5

But h se f m all his ife a i e and cr t e ro l r s , y,

ou as ade u s d and an s n ot ut u s d n . Th h t m lor s , c t p ow

It i s in the ﬁgure here that we have the literal

n i E n in a i s ol a . S d e truth The K ght of the ve g t r g ,

n a d in n d a i a i i ﬁt e c se the toughe e h b ts of l fet me , tin g like a harden ed skin as close as his own . Who h as n ot a i n o f n d overcome the p ss o s y outh , co quere

a i i n an d i n ot d the mb t o s of m hoo , w ll sub ue the vicious uses of a li fetime that h ave become a secon d

H e a a ain ill n ature in o ld age . w rs g st the uses of

i a a i a a h s . a s a l fe th t h ve become m sters But , G reth d a n a M n in S a ecl res , the stre gth th t threw the or g t r can throw the E venin g Star :

’ Till at le ngth Gare th s bran d i h C as e d his an d a e t utte to t e i t . l h , br k rly h l ” a e t e e n o w " b ut fo rt th a o th e s an I h v h h t r pr g,

An d all u n ni t i e i e d his i ar s k gh l k , wr th w ry m

A oun d him ti h e fe de s ite his ai r , ll lt, p m l ,

’ St an e d b ut s ainin e v n his ut e m s r gl , , tr g t r o t,

’ ’ C as an d so h url d him h e ad o n o e r th e id t, l g br ge

h ri in i n to t e e . Dow v r, s k or sw m

The virtue which overcame th e Morn in g Star h as

n E n in a i h as i overthrow the ve g St r . Thr ce v ctory

shon e on the spiritu al man . H e is con queror at 5 6 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

’ i d i i n the th r loop of l fe s r ver , where the curre t

a a ﬂows bro ad n d deep . A g in Ly n ette sings :

O t e fo i a in o n th e ain ain r l , sp rkl g r y pl ,

O ain o i h t e e o o s af e ain r b w w t hr c l r t r r ,

n m Shi e swe e tly : thrice y love hath smile d o n m e .

’ G areth s threefold victory h as at l a st beaten ’ h n down Lyn ette s worldly prej udices . S e co fesses

a at a i h her sh me h vi n g reviled h m . S e thought the Kin g h ad scorn ed her an d hers in sen din g on e so i n on n h ad a d g oble the quest , whe she ske for the

a i o n oblest . G reth repl es simply tha t she should n t

a d d in : aid sa in h ve oubte the K g You s your y , m e ” w a e t th i as t an swer s the deed . L e world rev le i m a th e f de e d is a n i i a man i n y , the swer of the sp r tu l the service of the Kin g . Lyn ette n o w con ducts the

i i i a h a a a d b id d thr ce v ctor ous G ret to c ve h r y , prov e by Lady Ly o n o rs with meat an d win e for her com in g ch ampion

An n t e a a n a o e e in o h y p st rrow c mb , wh r

e a s of it ﬁ u e s n i t o n e W re sl b rock w h g r , k gh s hors

- Sculpture d an d de ckt in slowly w an ing hue s .

Sir Kn i t m n i a e i n e w as h e e gh , y k ght, h rm t o c r , Whose holy han d hath fashio n e d o n th e rock

T h e war o f time again st th e soul of m an .

5 8 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

n d a n a d i a u ert ke the quest , h ve sucke the r llegory ’ fro-m the sculpture on the walls of the hermit s

i in a . L n i c ve y ette , st ll look g w th the eyes of the ’ d n a a in nd worl , sees o ly fool s llegory the co uct of the four k n ights who gu a rd the pa sses of the river

’ it an d h old the Lady Ly on ors prison er . But is the ﬁ gure of the actual w a rfare which Sen se wa ges

J as L n ai n i a gain st Soul . ust y ette f ls to recog ze the true n obility of G areth un der his humble garb

i n an d n ad i it a of scull o , o ly m ts fter the success of his a a i d i rms forces her to bow to est bl she mer t , so n ow she sees on ly the exterior fa shion of the t ruth . ’ is i s a a all . d It a fool s llegory , fter The worl blin d to the warfa re waged by the p owers of Sense again st the Soul . There yet rem ain s an other kn ight for Gareth to overthrow before the Lady Lyon ors is free ; he i s

ni a i a d the fourth k ght of the llegory , somet mes c lle

e i an N o x a n d sometimes Mors . H is huge of l mb d

L n im of boun dless s avagery . y ette says of h

G o d n e o e d u n the fa wot, I ev r l ok po ce , See ing he n e ve r ride s abroad by day ; B ut w atche d h im h ave I like a phantom pass

n n r h Chilling th e ight : o have I he ard t e voice . Always h e m ade his mouthpie ce o f a page

a an d e n and s i e e d him Who c me w t, t ll r port GARETH A N D LYNETTE 5 9

s o in in im se f th e e n h of te n A cl s g h l str gt ,

An d e n his an e a e him as a rin wh g r t r , m s c g — M an m an lad an d i e a th e f a e " , wo , g rl y , so t b b

But Gareth is n othin g daun ted by the terror of ’ Ly n ette s description of his an tagon ist . Lyn ette trembles with fear as they approa ch the w alls of

C a P i an d Lan an i h as stle er lous , celot , who me t me

in d a i i hi d. j o e them , feels ch ll str ke through s bloo

An d all th e h e e e re Si e n e e in i e d t r w l t, s g, p tch

s n ﬂd B e side th e C as e P e i o u o at ﬁe tl r l l , A h uge pavilio n like a moun tain pe ak

Sun de th e o m in i s n o f th e m a e r glo g cr m o rg ,

B a i h a ann e an d a n a h o rn l ck , w t bl ck b r, lo g bl ck

B e side it an in i Sir a e th a e d h g g, wh ch G r gr sp ,

An d so e o e th e u d in de him , b f r two co l h r ,

’ h l h n Se nt all his he art an d bre at thro al t e hor .

B ut whe n th e Prin ce

e e tim e s h ad o n af e o n h u at a Thr bl w , t r l g sh , l st

T h e h u e a i io n s o ie de d u g p v l l wly y l p,

’

h o th o se a fo din s th a i use d e e in . T r bl ck l g , t wh ch ho th r

H i h o n a n i htb lack o se in n i htbl ack a m s g g h r , g r ,

i h i e e a - n e and a re n i s o f D e at W t wh t b r st bo , b r r b h ,

’ ﬂshl h e n e s An d cro w n d i h e e ss au te e t w t l g r , som st p ,

’ In th e h a f i h t o the dim da n ad an e d l l g t, hr w , v c

T h e n te an d h e n au e d an d s a e n o d . mo s r, t p s p k wor 60 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

Gareth an d Death hurl together

The n tho se that did n o t blink th e te rror saw

a e at w as as to un d an d s o se . Th t D h c t gro , l wly ro

But with o n e stro ke Sir Gare th Split th e skull .

H alf fe ll to right an d half to le ft and lay . The n with a stron ge r buffe t h e clove th e h e lm As throughly as th e Skull ; an d o u t fro m this Issue d th e bright face of a ' b lo o m ing b oy

F e sh as a e n e w- n an d in Kn i t r ﬂow r bor , cry g, gh ,

S a m e n o t : m t re e e e n ade m e do it l y y h br thr b ,

a e a all a u th e o u e To m k horror bo t h s ,

An d stay th e world from Lady Lyo no rs .

T he v n e ve r dre ame d the passes would b e past .

S o i i a man h a s P a the sp r tu l who overcome le sure ,

A i i n an d i ill b a a n mb t o , the r uses , y th t s me stre gth

a a a overthrows Death . The gh stly im geries of De th

o n ot a a him a h as a him n d pp ll , for de th fe rs for o ly

n h a who h as misused life . The powers of Se se d

d d S o Lad L on ors hope to hol the ul , whom y y here

i i n a ain i n i symbol zes , pr so er g st the com g of the sp r itual m an . They n ever dreamed the p asses would be p assed. If the powers of Sen se be suffered to usurp all the uses of life the Soul is held in bon d a e an d a id i an in all a g , De th r es tr umph t the gh stly i a i a i Li as i m ger es of th t wh ch fe h don e with . It s GERAINT A N D ENID 6 1 the k n ightly quest of the spiritu al m an to comb at i an d overcome these evil po wers . V ctory over them m akes victory over Dea th e a sy . S o is Death

i d all it s a n d n d a d in str ppe of terrors , o ly re ful the foolish fears of the slaves of Sen se

The n sprang th e happie r day fro m u n de rgro un d ;

An d Lad L o n o rs an d h e r o u se it dan e y y h , w h c

An d e e an d so n ade e o e e at r v l g, m m rry v r D h

AS e in af e all e i fo o i h fe ars b g, t r th r l s

in An d h n e n a b o . orrors , o ly prov bloom g y

A happier da y a n d a n e w life rise for the soul

a upon the victory of the spiritu l man . Freed from the despotism of Sense an d the terror of Death the

w s n ne order i establishe d a d the Kin g reign s .

GERAINT A N D EN ID

IN Gerain t an d E nid we hear the ﬁrst n ote of

A s t discord in the city built to music by A rthur . y e the trouble is the mere sh adow of tha t sin of sen se which is to u n do the great work of the Kin g . It is a i d n a a n n sk a in br ef clou blow cross ope y , pres g g

di an an d i n an ad in the st t storm , , for the st t , sh ow g the summer glory of the h appy ﬁelds below and 62 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

in i n n i d . a had hush g the so g of b r s Ger t , who

dd d E n id da o ld E a Y n iol we e , ughter of rl , brought his i a n d i d w fe to court , there rej o ce to see the com

n E n i an n mon love betwee d d the Quee .

But n a u e ab u u n whe r mor ros o t the Q ee ,

u in h e r ui e fo r Lan To ch g g lty lov celot,

’ Th o e t e e i e d n o o f n o r e t w as a d y th r l v pro , y he r

’ Th e o d o ud i a in i n o w rl s l wh sper bre k g to st rm, n ot less Geraint believed it ; and there fell

A o n him e hi s n i e horror , l st ge tle w f ,

u a a e n de n e fo r G uin e v e Thro gh th t gre t t r ss er , H ad su ffe re d o r should suffe r any tain t

In n ature .

’ It was Lan celot who h ad gon e to Leodo gran s

n court to escort Guin evere to Ki g A rthur . Though

d in an was n a d b the betrothe of the K g , her f cy s re y " ” ’ the w armth a n d color she fou n d in A rthur s

a i chief kn ight . Th t pure sever ty of perfect light in the spiritu al m an she im a gin ed too high

an d ff d d n d for her , so su ere herself to esce to the

w as i i lesser man . It the rumor of th s gu lty love that l e d Gerain t to withdraw from court an d take

in E n id with him to his o wn lan d. There he s ks i n i id n his i to uxor ous le ess , forgetful of prom se to GERAINT A N D ENID 63 the Kin g to clean se his marches of b an dit earls and

E n i a as caitiff kn ights . d repro ches herself the ’ a an d id n n ow c use of her husb s le ess , become the

a S common t alk of his people . W kin g from leep one

nin ain o a in i n an mor g , Ger t verhe rs her , the po g cy

- a idin a i n of her self upbr g , ccus g herself

O fe a a am n o u wife " me, I r th t I tr e

’ H is an a n d b n f cy , h u te y the rumor of the Quee s ’ i a in n n i i i n his i gu lt , ﬂ shes to u k ghtly susp c o of w fe s

S i b a i n faithfulness . e zed y the rough p ss o of the

n o ff in i d n o n a mome t , he rushes to the w l er ess

in E n id a an him bootless quest , compell g to ccomp y a a d in an d a n d in pp rele her worst me est ress , which he h ad wooed her i n the midst of broken for tun es . ’ In this episode of Ger ain t s j e alous madn ess we

’ see how the ta int of Guin evere s sin brin gs it s bitter n d ad i i n ess , the ﬁrst re fru ts of the po so of the ﬂesh

inn n a t an d it s a S a to oce t he r s , throws b leful h dow

ain i over the happin ess of guiltless s o uls . Ger t r des

ad n in his d n E n i m ly , ve t g rough moo upo the meek d,

an d a i n an d whom he comm s to bsolute s le ce , stub bornl in n a hi s n y refuses , the sulle wr th of u j ust

i i n a sk a an a i n susp c o , to her ught of expl t o of her 64 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

a i reproa chful words . A fter v r ous en coun ters with

a n i a n n a E a l wless k ghts , they h ppe upo the re lm of rl

n d d in a i Do orm . Wou e the comb t w th the follow

i Li ain b ers of the r otous mours , Ger t , overcome y the

a n nda su n dd n in un co n he t of the oo y , su e ly s ks scious from his horse on a bank of grass by the road

a oorm n him i n a side . H ere E rl D ﬁ ds w th E id w il i n b his Sid an d d him a i d his g y e , or ers to be c rr e to

a o orm is an i ca stle hall . E rl D the t thesis of Kin g

A an d his i in a rthur , r otous follow g the lo thsome

opposite of the Round Table . H is i s the household

. is a n a n i an of the ﬂesh It sce e of l wless ess , r ot , d

n i co fus on .

But i n th e falli n g afte rn oo n return ed

Th e u E a Doo rm i l un d t h e a h ge rl w th p er to h ll . H i s l usty spe arm e n fo llowed him with n oise : E ach hurlin g down a h e ap o f thi n gs that ran g

A ai n th e ave e n a hi s an a ide g st p m t, c st l ce s , A n d do ffe d hi s h e lm ; an d the n th e re ﬂ uttere d i n

H a f-b ld a f-fri e d i dila e d e l o , h l ght , w th t yes,

’ A rib e o f e n dre ss d i n an u t wom , m y h es, A n d mi n gl e d with th e Spe armen An d E arl Doo rm

’ S u i a n ife af ard a ain b ard tr ck w th k s h t h g st the o ,

’ A n d call d fo r ﬂesh an d wi n e to fe e d h is spe ars

A n d m e n u t i n o e h o an d ua e b e e bro gh wh l gs q rt r ev s, A n d all th e hall w as dim w ith ste am o f ﬂesh

66 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

an d a i a i his the s ke of j ust ce , but out of the c pr ce of

w on o n n arrow an d falsely j ealous pride . Who c

i a in is n i quers h mself , s ys the K g , the true K ght of the Roun d Table .

A tho usan dfo ld m ore great an d w o n derful

an i f e n i o f i n e i i n hi s if Th som k ght m , r sk g l e,

M ub e i m u e u n d him y s j ct w th y s bj cts er , Should mak e an on sl aught Sin gl e o n a re alm

’ O f th o h e s e m o n e b o n e robbers, l w the y ,

A n d i f n i un de d th e de a were h msel gh wo to th .

’ In E d rn ain i a l at y , Ger t s former r v l , whom the

h ad n in i his id ter overthrow the he ght of pr e , we see o n e who has by gra ce an d will plucked the vicious ” i n qu tch of blood a d custom wholly out of him .

A his b ain a n n fter overthrow y Ger t , he le r s the esse ’ tial lesson s of humility an d obedien ce at A rthur s

an d o n e n a court , becomes of the oblest , most v lorous , ’

an an d di n in n i . s est , most obe e t of the K g s k ghts In the story of Gerain t an d E n id we see the be gin nin gs of the tra gedy which culminates i n the

s e t i destruction of the R ou nd T a ble . A y the ev l has n o t taken visible Shape ; it is still a mere rumor .

N o t ye t w as h e ard

’ h i e a i n i n T e wo rld s loud wh spe r br k g to storm . BA LIN A N D BALAN 67

But it is the sha dow of sin fallin g upon blameless

a a i n a in souls , the bl ck p ss o of the ﬂesh g ther g the

a h as a d wrath o f the storm to come . Its bre th p sse over the tranquil surfa ce of pure souls a n d sh atters

ain the calm im age of heaven mirrored there . Ger t ’ suffers through the n oisome presen ce of Lan celot s

a a has i n n i Si n . Its d rk sh dow dr ve the su l ght from his o an d n ot in i i a i d i s ul , , be g fully sp r tu l ze , the ev l

In s seed strikes bitter root in his he art . the gro s household of E arl D o orm we discover a picture of the very antithesis of the Roun d T able . H ere the sen sual m an has full sw a y ; his unbridled pa ssion s are in r his an d a his the rul g fo ces of soul , he p sses

a in i an d n ion all law n i ye rs r ot co fus , broke to wh m i an d ca price an d sin . It is a p cture of all that o ain S i i a a bt s where the p r tu l m n does not reign .

B ALIN A N D B ALAN

IN B alin and B alan we are introduced to a still da a a d i h ad rker ph se of the tr ge y , wh ch for the

C momen t so deeply e n glo o me d the lives of Gerain t an d E n id . It marks the tran sition of the sin of sen se in to the Sin of m alice i n the b aleful a ppe ar an i i n n n in an d in ce of V v e up o the sce e , tempt g urg g 68 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

o n i a a in h s ow the d str ught B l to i n destruction .

Sir a in a a n a is n a n B l , whose s v ge ture wo t to ﬂ me i to

dd n a a i n vio su e he ts of p ss o , seeks to overcome the len ce of his disposition un der the courtly disciplin e ’ of A rthur s hall

A n d all th e k n ights

A e dhim an d th e ue e n an d all o r d pprov , Q , the w l

Mad u i an d h e fe h i s e i n e e m s c, lt b g mov

i i r an h i n In mus c with h s O de r d t e K g.

But chan cin g on e day upon Sir Lan celot an d the Queen he sees the more than courtesy th at pa sses

n an d is a a n d a i i n betwee them , w ke e to susp c o of the faithlessn ess of the two n oblest a n d highest in ’ A rthur s court .

A n d i n h im gloom o n gl o om

e e n d: a l au h i s an e an d i d D pe e he sh rp y c ght l c sh el ,

N o r a d a e e i i o n o f t h e Kin st ye to cr v p rm ss g, ’ m a fo r an a n e a a a But d d u d d . , str ge ve t r , she w y

’ A fter his adven ture a t King P ellam s court wherein we h ave a picture of the extern al Show of 5 — spirituality without it s soul B alin comes upon

n d a i Vivien in the forest . U er the subtle m l ce of

d in i n a n in his her wor s , pour g the po so of c lum y to

a a i i him a ind lre dy susp c ous soul , she rouses to bl fury MERLIN AN D V IV IEN 69

Sh e ce ased; hi s e vil spi rit upo n h im l e apt;

H e r un d his e h o e an i a e g o te t t geth r, spr g w th y ll ,

T fro m th e b an an d e as o n a th e S i e ld ore r ch, t e rth, h ,

e h i s m ai e d e a a th e o a o n Drov l h el thw rt r y l cr w ,

’ S am d all i n o de fa e n h u rl d i t f o h im t pe t cem t, r m

A o n th e fo e t w e e d an d u d a m g r s s, c rse the t le,

- n h Th e d o f a d t e e e . tol , t ll r

H is Sir a an idin in Sir brother , B l , r g quest of

Garlo n in i i n i un , the v s ble k ght who slew others a a a Sir a in n ow i his i d w re , t kes B l , w thout sh el , for " ” the Woo d Devil he c ame to quell . The brothers

in n a n d i a rush together o set e ther sl ys the other , 6 a while Vivien rides mockin gly away . The be st ’ in man i n Sir a in a a a n d the let loose B l s bre st , w ke e by the apprehen sion of the fa ithlessness of Guin e vere an d Sir Lan celot throws o ff all restr a in t

nd a i i n 5 d an d in d u er the l sh of V v e wor s , bl ly hurls i an i n tself d others to destruct o .

MERLIN A N D V IV IE N 7

IN Me rlin an d Vi vien an d , the subtlest most

i d is i n i h ghly wrought of the I ylls , brought to v ew still an other elemen t workin g to the destruction of 70 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

e ret o f a n the spiritu al order . H ore we h ve see only the Sin of sen se diffusin g it s poison through the mem

be rshi R n d a . E n and a p of the ou T ble vy tre chery ,

sin o f n sin a i n ow in the se se become the of m l ce , beg their work of undermin in g the spiritu al f oun da ’ Ma in n i n A in d . C t o s of rthur s k g om rk , K g of or " ” a n A an d his a is w ll , the scor of rthur T ble , the

i a i a s D oorm is e x type of the cr me of m l ce , the e m la a a a ion a p r of the l wless brut l p ss s . The ex lted id a i and i i i a anda d e l of pur ty j ust ce , the sp r tu l st r to which A rthur swore his kn ights with such ’ ai i d i d Ma str ght vows , st rre the v lest regs of rk s

i i a i i t o v c ous n ture to seeth n g h atred. The he ght

i d n ot i ai d a ain wh ch he coul cl mb he r le g st , the

i d n ot d an d ff d at v rtue he possesse he mocke sco e , an d d u d all me n n i o bte pure , who k ew h mself impure :

This Arthur pure "

e a N atu e t o u th e e e se f at ad Gr t r , hr gh ﬂ sh h r l h h m e,

i e him th e lie " h e is no e in u e G v s T re b g p r ,

ai h n ot H i a " My che rub . S t oly Wr t the s me

i i i n a a his own a The w ly V v e , cre ture of cr ft , to

as Ma i was a o f i whom , to rk , v rtue but the m sk v ce ,

’ a a i n a Ma own a i i i a soul f sh o ed fter rk s m l c ous w ll , — ff an d a a i i in sco er h ter of pur ty , her , too w ll g tool MERLIN A N D V IV IEN 7 1

’ — ni in a i Ma in i a of the Cor sh K g s m l ce , rk st g tes to ’ go to A rthur s court to spread the conta gion of her vilen ess .

H ere are sn a k e s w ithi n the grass ;

A n d o u e i n O i i e n a e e fe a y , m th ks, V v , s v y r

Th e on i an o o d an d th e a k o f u e m k sh m h , m s p r

W in o n b i ou can i i e . r y th s c rt, st r them t ll th y st g

Vivien makes her boast

b i n e a k I r g the b c ,

W n a e fe e e d o ut e i b urro win s he I h v rr t th r g , Th e He arts o f all thi s Orde r i n mi n e han d

A —so a fa e an d aft an d fo o e y th t t cr lly cl s ,

’ Pe an o n l o f A u de n b a e e u e d . rch c , c r rth r s gol r

’ So Vivien seeks A rthur s court an d there

nn in a ad i subtly , cu gly , tre cherously spre s her to ls

ni R n d a an d n e for the K ghts of the ou T ble , eve s eks to tempt the blameless Kin g himself .

The n as Arthur i n th e highest

’ Le ave n d t h e o d i i e n i n th e o e w rl , so V v l w st,

A i i n at a i e o f o de n e rr v g t m g l r st,

A n d in on e ill i n f o e ar ar sow g h t r m to e ,

’ W i e all th e e a e n l a at A u fe h l h th y rth r s et,

A n d n o ue s a e b ut all w as o u an d a q t c m , j st pl y,

’ Le ave n h i s a a a l d . h ll They h e rd n d e t her b e . 7 2 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

i i n a d in a i i d i n i d a V v e , b lke her m l c ous es g , w th r ws

o . n ot a d from c urt But , to be thw rte , she sets her self with inﬁ nite guile t o en s n are Merlin

An d afte r that sh e se t he rself to gain f H im th e o a o u m an o f all t se i e s . , m st m s ho t m

M in is i d . erl the type of w s om , the eyes of the soul H e is the argus -eyed s age guardin g the tre asures of the spiritu al kin gdom . If Vivien can but put him to sleep u n der the charm of woven p a ces an d

a in an d n i a d w v g h s , the w ll she h ve worke her work

an d ain d e n d. For n i M in e g e her , u t l erl be overcom , i n v ain do the powers of sen se or m alice ass ault the

in spiritual k gdom .

The n fe ll o n Me rlin a gre at melan choly ;

H e a e d i d e a an d da n e an d f und w lk w th r ms rk ss , he o

A do o m t at e e i e d i s f to fa h v r po s t el ll ,

An e e - anin a t e in th e i v r mo g b tl m st,

d-war o f d in e s a ain th e if Worl y g ﬂ h g st l e ,

e a in all ife an d in in all e D th l , ly g lov ,

e an e st a in e u n th e i e The, m h v g pow r po h gh st

An d the high purpose broke n by th e worm .

H ere is wisdom foreseein g the wrath of the time

b in n . In to come , sown y the s s of the prese t the

7 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

An d a u d n o t a e e n h ad e n wh t sho l h v be be ,

Fo r Me in e a e d and o e n rl , ov rt lk v rwor ,

d o d h r ll h H ad ie de t e a t e a an d e . y l , l ch rm , sl pt

he n in o n e o m e nt sh e ut f th e a T , m , p orth ch rm

O f e n a e and of a in an ds wov p c s w v g h ,

An d in th e o o ak h e la as de ad holl w v , f And lost to li e and u se and n ame and fame .

The ch arm of woven p aces an d wavin g han ds is tha t sen su al draught of forgetful n ess which brin gs Lethe upon the soul that h a s on ce rela xed it s vig ilan ce over it s higher fa culties a n d h as become im

i has me rse d in the thin gs of sen se . Merl n yielded

i d n i i an in i the w s om , upo whose v g l ce the tegr ty of

i i a in d d n d has n t o the sp r tu l k g om epe s , bee put ’ S . i i n a d i a o f Ma a leep V v e , the m ske m ge rk s h te , the person iﬁc ation of the crime of sen se become the

i a i a h as in i d cr me of m l ce , lust become h te , ext gu she the light of wisdom in the soul an d sown the death f to come . O herself she s ays :

Born from de ath was I

n th e de ad an d s n u n th in Amo g ow po e w d.

Sh e would drag down to her own vile level the ’ pure an d virtuou s even a s the h ags i n Doorm s LANCELOT A N D ELAINE 75 household would h ave helped him to dra g E n id down

ho se u s th e old e n n h ad d a n W so l , s rpe t lo g r w Down as th e w o rm draws in th e withere d le af

An d make s it e arth .

LAN CEL OT A N D ELAINE

N o w th at the light of wisdom has been e xtin

uishe d in d a d i n g the soul , the e ly work of corrupt o i goes o r more ra pidly .

In E ain da n a is S the story of l e , the rk ess th t lowly ’ drawin g n ea r A rthur s court grows deeper as the ’ Queen s Sin spreads it s poison a mon gst the Kn ights

a had a n of the Roun d T ble . Its somber gloom f lle athwart the lives of Geraint an d E n id to cloud them

n in n n El ain but n ot to bl ast them . Upo the oce t e

h e the black thunderbolt fell a n d killed. S loved

Lan i i n celot , the gu lty lover of the gu lty Quee , from

i n i d Sin a i in whose cr me of se se ssue the of m l ce , br g

Lan had in g that corruption which i s death . celot wo n in tourn ey eight of the n in e diamon ds plucked from the crown of the dead kin g ch an ced upon by

in ha A rthur beside the lon ely t arn . These the K g d

as i o d o ne a : set up pr zes to be j uste for , every ye r 7 6 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

’ Fo r b n in e e a o o f w e n e e ds us e a n so , y y rs pr , m t l r

hi is o ur i ie an d o u se e s Sh a W ch m ght st, r lv ll grow

In use o f a s an d an o d ti l w e d i e rm m ho , l r v

T h e e a e n wh o e sa S a u e th e and h th , , som y, h ll r l l f H e e a e i G o d in d . r t r, wh ch h er

Did win n in Lan d i n he the th , celot es g ed to pre

n i se t the Queen with the completed c rclet . But the ’ ninth proves a b aleful prize for A rthur s chiefest

ni a n din i in di i a n ot k ght , for , tte g the l sts sgu se , th t the prowess of his n ame but Sheer skill of a rms may

win him is a n d d . E ain n for , he gr vely wou e l e urses him n i n his n d and through the lo g s ck ess of wou , through her gen tle ca re brin gs him b ack to life from

ad d a . H er in n n a the sh ows of e th oce ce , her be uty ,

i a n d n d n a win him her pur ty , her sweet te er ess h lf from his guilty pa ssion .

An d pe radve nture h ad b e se e n h e r ﬁrst Sh e might have made this an d that o the r wo rld An othe r wo rld fo r th e Sick m an ; b ut n o w T h e shackle s o f an o ld love straite ne d him

H is no o o te d in dis o n o s o o d ho r r h r t , f An d faith unfaithful m ade him alse ly tru e .

’ Lan celot s sin clin gs to him like some poison ous

in o ak i in all d his v e to the , st ﬂ g the stur y growth of m anhood and sendin g its n oisome humor in to his LANCELOT A N D ELAINE 77

e E ain blood. H rej ects the pure love of l e for the

n a a i n o f in an d n ot as u h llowed p ss o Gu evere , loves

S o the Kin g h ad ordain ed his knights hould love . S ’ the Queen s false love un does the work of the Rou n d ’ a an d A n a an d ai T ble , rthur s e rest best prove tr tors to his house . The dea th of E l ai n e an d the petulan t j e alousy of the Queen drive the sword of remorse deep into

’ e i n s Lan celot s soul . H wrestles w th the demo of hi sin a n in a a i , oble soul ﬁght g gre t v ce

Fo r;wh at am I Wh at proﬁts m e my n am e

O f e ate s n i " fo u fo r it an d a e it gr t k ght I ght , h v

P e asure to a e it n n e to o se it ain l h v , o ; l , p ; N ow gro w n a part o f m e : b ut what u se in it "

T o a e m e n o e b a in m Sin n n m k w rs y m k g y k ow ,

O r sin se e e s th e Sinn e e e in e at " m l s , r s m g gr

But Lan celot does n ot come out victor in the d i i . N a and a struggle w th h mself me f me , trumpete ’ in n are e t d a him an d has n ot me s mouths , y e r to , he the spiritual hardihood to pluck the vice out of his blood that holds him in guilty bon dage to the

n i n Queen . In stead of wresti g himself w th viole ce

o his a i n a his i in fr m p ss o , he we kly puts w ll the ’ i it i n in . n Quee s keep g If she w ll , the w ll he

n a nd a d a h co sen t to bre k the bo s th t so ef me im . 78 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

Lan is n ot i i a i d n In celot sp r tu l ze e ough to be free . spite of his great eff ort to release himself from this d adin d in i n a i n a i a in egr g om o of p ss o , the v c ll t g effort of a half desire t o hold to his sin keeps him an ign oble prison er to his sh ame .

So n in i i n a d ad the curre t of qu ty sweeps o w r , bro e n in as it it s i i n d oun g ﬂows , b tter source the po so e f t ’ l n i o . A l a ai i of the Quee s gu lty l ve th t f r l fe , builded up to the music of order an d j ustice into

i i a i is in in in . an the sp r tu l c ty , seep g to ru s The c ker Fi is eatin g into the heart of the Roun d T able . rst ’ ain i n a in his comes Ger t s fool sh trouble , e rly wreck g ’ n own an d E n id s happin ess . The out of the dead ’ i in n a i n i fru t of Gu evere s u holy p ss o , l ke the worm out i n is i a i of corrupt o , begot the cr me of m l ce , an d Vivien throws the fatal toils of her tre achery a in i d its n in bout the soul , putt g w s om , se t el , to sleep

E ain a a i i it s i . forever . l e f lls pure v ct m to bl ght " he C a in i n d a i S comes to melot the s le ce of e th , l ke ” a a in a n i a in i n st r bl ckest ght , be r g mute test mo y to the death to come that h as been sown by that fatal sin of sen se .

So Arth ur b ade th e me e k Sir P e rcivale

An d u e Sir a a ad to u if th e aid p r G l h pl t m ,

An d re ve re ntly th e y bo re h e r i nto hall .

e n a e th e ﬁ n e a ain and o n de e d at h e r Th c m G w w r , T H E H OLY GRAIL 79

Lan o a e a e and u e d at h e r An d cel t l t r c m m s ,

An d l ast th e Que e n h e rse lf and pitie d h e r.

’ E ain S ain b a i l e s pure love , l y th t gu lty love of ’ Lan is d ad i in celot , the ﬁrst e ly fru t of Gu evere s

aw it A n d failure to love the highest when she s . all n d d at ﬁn e a ain the court wo ere her , the G w ,

’ i 0 an d Lan o n in his own S in l ght love , cel t , k ow g ’ a i ai i i an d to be the c use of th s f r l ly s bl ght , the

n s a a i n h ad a d a ain Quee , who e j e lous p ss o r ge g st

i in d a n ai id her , whose pur ty e th sho e so f r bes e ’ Guin evere s soiled splen dor ; but n on e may touch

a Sir P i a an d Sir her , s ve the meek erc v le the pure

a a a A n in w a s a i n n G l h d . d her com g s le t j udgme t

n n a n d Lan ai n upo the Quee celot , the f r ess of her purity a reproa ch to the bla ckn ess of their Sin ” i a l ke star in bla ckest n ight .

T H E H OLY GRAIL

N E may see the H oly Grail but the utterly

. sin h a s a in d pure Whomsoever t te , or the love of

a in d in n da him H e rthly th gs hol s bo ge , to the oly

C u i i a n a i n i n p , symbol of sp r tu l co templ t o , w ll ever 9 man i be fest .

’ Of all A n i s a rthur s k ght , most of whom r shly 80 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

H ai swore the vow of the quest of the oly Gr l , but o n e saw and a a in i fully , but two c ught ﬂeet g gl mpse of the Sa cred Obj ect . The Kin g upbraids his knights for their rash presumption in swearin g to

a a n un dert ke quest beyo d their powers . Such a

Sir a a ad a n i quest becomes G l h , k ght of utter

i an d P i a an in n him it pur ty , erc v le r g g ext to , but i s n ot given to everyon e to pursue th at high vision till it s rapt ecstasy sn atch hi m up to the City of the Saints .

" r P i a a e e " G a a ad N o n o r e a e . Wh t y l h s , rc v l s " N a said h e b ut m e n y , ,

Wi t e n an d i l i th e n e d o f e r th s r gth w l to r ght wro g , pow

l th e su n a s o f i n ﬂat a dde e d e e To y h v ol c , Kn ights that i n twe lve gre at b attle s Splashe d an d dye d T h e stron g White H o r se i n his o wn he athe n blo od

i s B ut o n e at e e n an d all th e nd i e e . h h s , bl w ll

In this kin gdom of the Soul it i s n ot for all to be

n a i an n d a i i in i i n co templ t ves , to tr sce the ct ve l fe v s o

n i a n of the u ve led truth . The few lo e become so perfectly spiritualized as to see the truth unveiled.

It i s in the a ctive life that most are l calle d to work

i i n an d a an d is out the r perfect o , r sh presumptuous

d H a i d in he who woul follow the oly Gr l , esert g the work at h a n d when n ot expressly called to the

‘ ‘ higifer life .

82 IDYLLS OF T H E KING

C ame like a driving gloo m athw art my mind.

e n e e e i o d h ad S e n o n e Th v ry v l w r I pok c ,

And e e e il th o u h ad h u of o ld v ry v ght I t o ght ,

An d e e e il de e d e did v ry v I ev r , ” A e and ie d hi ue t is no t fo r th " wok cr , T s q s ee An d lifting up min e e ye s I foun d myse lf

A ne an d in a and o f an d an d t n lo , l s hor s ; And I w as thirsty e ve n unto de ath ; " " 3 An d to o ie d i u is not fo r h I , , cr , Th s q est t ee

P erciv ale has become co n scious of the b arrenn ess

his o wn it is a an d and an d n a of soul ; l of s thor s ,

d an n o esert l d where grows fruit . Wheresoever he

d ﬁn d a n i a d a i n goes , there oes he m ge of the esol t o

i n his own a h a in soul , wh tsoever he touc es f lls to dust B ut e ve n while I drank th e broo k an d ate

T he d a e s all t e e thin at n goo ly ppl , h s gs o ce

Fe in o dus an d w as e f a n e ll t t I l t lo ,

n i n n f s n A d t i in a a d o an d a d o n . h rst g, l th r s

In the midst of his bootless wanderin gs he comes a cro ss

A e i in a e i a e holy h rm t h rm t g ,

T o o o d m an s an d h e aid wh m I t l y ph tom , s " O so n u a n o t ue u ili , tho h st tr h m ty,

T h e i e i ue m e o f th e all h gh st v rt , oth r m ; Fo r whe n th e Lo rd o f all things m ade H im se lf

N a e d o f o fo r H is ta an e k gl ry mor l ch g , T H E HOLY GRAIL 83

‘ ’ ‘ ’ a e t o u m e sh e said fo r all is t in T k h y rob , , h e .

An d all h e r fo m n e fo i h udde n i r sho rth w t s l ght, So that th e an ge ls we re amaze d an d sh e

Fo o e d H im do n and i e a in s a ll w w , l k ﬂy g t r Le d o n th e gray -haire d wisdo m o f th e E ast ; B ut h e r th ou hast n o t kn o w n : fo r what is this Th o u th o ughte st o f thy pro w e ss and thy sin s " Th o u h ast n o t lost thyse lf to save thyself ” AS G alah ad .

H umility is the all essen tial virtue to spiritual i n i N ot n i P i a h as d hi s s ght . u t l erc v le purge soul of

ai the gross n ess of pride may he see the H oly Gr l . i him But G a lahad saw from the begin n in g . W th

a n n ind d b sin the eyes of the soul h ve ever bee bl e y , and H ai i i a wa s the oly Gr l , the sp r tu l vessel , ever presen t t o him

An d in th e s e n o f t is o de tr gth h I r ,

Sh a te in all e il u s o m s e e e re t r g v c t v rywh ,

An d asse d t u h a an e a m s an d ade e in p hro g p g r l m th m m e ,

An d ash e d it a an h o de s an d b o re t e do n cl w h p g r h m w ,

An d o e th o u h all an d in th e s e n h o f this br k r g , tr gt

C ome victo r .

In the presen ce of Sir P ercivale he mystically

t a n pa sses in to the higher life . A the s me mome t the Sa cred Vessel becomes visible to P ercivale himself 84 IDYLLS O F T H E KING

An d thrice ab ove him all th e h e ave n s

O e n e d an d az e d it u nde r su as Se e m e d p bl w h th , ch Shouting o f all th e son s o f G o d : an d ﬁrst At o nce I saw h im far o n th e gre at se a

In sil e S in in a o ar e a v r h g rm r st ry cl r,

’ An d o e r his e ad th e H e sse un h oly V l h g,

C o t e d in h i e sa i e o r a um in o u s o ud l h w t m t l cl ,

An d i e c e e din s iftne ss ran th e o at w th x g w b ,

’ An d o e r his e ad th e H e e un h oly V ss l h g,

Re dde an an o se a o to m e r th y r , "y

Fo r n o w I kn e w th e ve il h ad b e e n withdrawn .

’ This glimpse of the H oly Vessel sets P erciv ale s

aﬂame i an n n a d i soul w th u que ch ble es re for the

in i i a d an d a an d n in th gs of the sp r tu l worl , b o g the hau nts of me n he passes into the silen t life . A n d so with the other k n ights who u n dert ake the

In i n quest of the H oly Grail . proport o to their

i o n a spiritual ty d they e j oy the s cred vision .

Sir Lan h a n d a n a d celot , who d u ert ke the s cre

in iddin i his a sin quest the hope of r g h mself of gre t , i gets the merest gl mpse of the H oly Vessel veiled . H e recoun ts to the Kin g

But in m e live d a sin

So an e o f u a in d a all o f u str g , s ch k , th t p re , T H E H OLY GRAIL 8 5

N o ble an d kn ightly in m e twin e d an d clung

Ro un d t a o n e sin u n i th e e s m e o e h t , t l whol o ﬂ w r

And o iso no u s e e th e e a h as e a p gr w tog r , c ch , N o t to b e plucke d asun de r ; and whe n thv k n ights

S are I s a e i th e m n in th e h o e w , w r w th o ly p Th at could I touch or se e th e H o ly Grail h The y mig t b e plucke d asun de r .

The m adn ess of his sin seizes upon him at the

a very outset , the r ge of the remorseful struggle i i between his better an d his lower self . Un l ke Tr s

a Lan n a a n d n i t o tr m , celot ever b o s h mself the lusts

ﬂn o r a d i n - as of the esh ccepts the octr e of free love

i s n it his n d . H e n hi si the gospel of co uct cl gs to , — is i af i n an d i is a di a i true , w th fect o th s the r c l v ce — of his ten tative eff orts at repentan ce but he sees

n d it i an d i in a wa the wro g , eplores b tterly , str ves y

a to b attle a gainst it . Yet he l cks the en tire will to

adi a it an d i n in i ai er c te , therefore the g om ous f lure

his a i n is an d n of quest , whose ch eveme t gr te o ly to

is a sin ain i the pure in heart . H gre t dr s h m of even his n d an d a an wo te prowess , he f lls before the l ces of lesser k n ights in his wa n deri n gs

e e w as I e ate n do n b itt e m e n Th r b w y l l ,

Me an n i s o th e o in o f m s o d k ght , to wh m m v g y w r An d shado w o f m y spe ar h ad be e n e no w

s T o care th e m fro m m e o n ce . 8 6 IDYLLS OF T H E K IN G

H e at n a d i in n da an d comes le gth , fter r ft g seve ys n i n se a in a i a n an d ghts upo the l ttle bo t , to the e ch te c a stle of Carbo nek

A ast e i e a u n a c l l k rock o rock , — p With chasm like portals ope n to the se a

And ste ps that m e t th e bre ake r .

Two great bea sts bar the en tran ce . They Will

i him d man tear to p eces who oubts , but the of — ai — an d i s Lan a in n is f th such celot , though s er

n ma a in i i a suffered to en ter . N o e y p ss to the sp r tu l

in H ai a id a house , where the oly Gr l b es , s ve he who

a H ad i a is p an oplied in the rmor of faith . Tr str m

a ain a d i d a n n or G w ess ye , e ther woul h ve bee tor

Lan o n n in ie a b i n . p ceme l y the two l o s celot , e ter g , hea rs a sweet voice singi n g in the topmost tower to the ea stward :

Up I climb e d a tho usan d steps With pain ; as in a dre am I se e me d to climb Fo re ve r : at the last I re ache d a door ;

A i w as in th e an n ie s an d I e a d l ght cr , h r , " Glory an d "oy an d hon or to our Lord ” ss o f h e An d to th e H oly Ve e l t Grail . Th e n in my madne ss I e ssaye d th e door

’ a e an d a s a e a a It g v ; thro tormy gl r , he t

As fro m a se e n -ti e s e a e d fu na e v m h t r c , I, T H E H OLY GRA IL 87

a e d and u n an d in de d as I w as Bl st b r t, bl , With such a ﬁ e rc e n e ss that I sw o on e d away

0 e t e o u I saw th e H o ai , y m th ght ly Gr l ,

’ All all d in im s n sa i e an d a un d p cr o m t , ro

f d in s n e a an e a u s a e an a d e e . Gr t g ls , w l h p s , w g y s

An d b ut fo r all m adn e s and m sin y m s y ,

An d t e n m o o n in I h ad o n I saw h y sw g, sw r

’ That which I saw ; b ut what I saw w as ve il d

’ n v r d an thi s f r m A d co e ; d s que t w as no t o e .

a Lan d a a i d Impure of he rt , celot woul h ve ch eve

b i n is i n d n n d the quest y v ole ce , but sm tte ow , bur e

an d a d his a n . in as bl ste for r sh ess Yet , somuch he

i a i i in n i n st ll sp res to h gher g , eve the slough of -th s his sin i s a d a i H , he vouchs fe gl mpse of the oly

ve ile d an d d a n i n a Vessel , but covere , preve e t gr ce to

him a i n an i in old move to th t l fe of pe ce wh ch , the

R an a a d i a d a nd om ce , he fterw r followed w th r or W holesome sin cerity . When A rthur reproa ches his knights with havin g sworn h a stily an d rashly to un dert ake the quest of

H ai in a a s n o t all a a the oly Gr l , smuch they were G l

a d n or P i a a n d n ot d in d h s erc v les , therefore est e to

i i he a i the h gher l fe , tells them th t he h mself would n ot have sworn the vow h a d he been presen t when the H oly Grail ﬂ ashed upon the vision of the as sembled Order of the Roun d Table ; for it behooves 8 8 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G

in ain at i the K g to rem the plow , l ke the hind to

is i n his a d a an d an whom g ve llotte sp ce of l , d who m ay n ot desert his ta sk un til his work be don e

B ut e in do ne b g , Le t visio n s o f th e n ight or o f th e day

C o m e as t e il an d an a tim e th e o e , h y w l ; m y y c m ,

Un il t is e a th h e a s o n se e s n o t e a t h r w lk m rth ,

is i t a st i e s his e e a is no t i Th l ght h t r k y b ll l ght,

is air t at sm i e s his fo e e ad is n o t air Th h t r h , — B ut isio n e a his e an d an d f o v y , v ry h o t

In o e n s e n h e fe e s h e an n o die m m t wh l c t ,

An d n s im se f n o isio n to i se f k ow h l v h m l ,

N o r th e i G o d a i io n n o r t at O ne h gh v s , h

Who ro se again .

’ — ’ — This is the King s the spiritu al man s asser tion of the etern al truth a nd reality of the spiritu al life as a gain st the ev a n escen t contin gen cies of tem

in A t a i t is a a a . i d por l th gs the s me t me , the ecl r

i n d i i a m an in t o of the uty of the sp r tu l , except g

a a a an d P i a are ia a d G l h ds erc v les , who espec lly c lle , to fulfill his a ppoin ted ta sk i n the rou nd of years a d him a n d a ai in a i n a llotte to , to w t , p t e ce , rele se

i is in co n from the bon ds of time . True l fe the summ ation o f the Divin e presen ce by fa ith in H im

a ain an i i who rose g ; there , the subst ce of the sp r t

al i an d it s a i i n . u l fe , l st fru t o

9 0 IDYLLS OF TH E KIN G

a . n in his is T ble The Quee , youthful eyes , the fair

d his ad is et t o fi mo el of l y love , whom he y n d

Whe re "

’ O e e P e t e e th o n t e e not . wh r I lov h , I k ow h

Fo r fai t u art and u e as uin e e e r ho p r G v r , An d I will m ake the e with my Spe ar and sword

As fam us O m u e n m uin e e e o , y Q e , y G v r ,

Fo r i t in e A u n I w ll be h rth r whe we me e t .

On wa E a a the y to the court he meets tt rre , lso

a in i a n d o n a tr vel g th ther , p urs out upo her the gre t a ndan his n -u bu ce of pe t p love .

And P e lle as looke d

N e a n th e n e fo r h e d e a e d obl mo g obl , r m

H is ad e d him an d h e n e i se f l y lov , k w h m l Loved o f th e King; an d him his n e w -m ade kn ight

Wo rshi t i te is e e d him e p , whose l gh st wh p r mov mor

h n ll h n f h T a a t e ra ged re ason s o t e world.

The petulan ce and cruelty of E ttarre are to him

i a ia n but the ch v lrous tr ls of love , to be bor e cour t e ously a nd submissively by the kn ight who would ’ wi a is n the guerdon of his lady s faith . E tt rre

n a i n She a in an d his o ly a we ker V vie . h tes the K g

i a in his n o . a i n P k ghth od The loy l pers ste ce of elle s ,

i w a Sh e him in n . serv ce to her love , e r ges her mocks and ai at him i in him d r ls , thr ce thrust g out of oor , PE LLE A S A N D E TTA RRE 9 1

i ia i i a boun d an d hum l ted, but he st ll bel eves th t she

is n i s only testin g his knightly loyalty . It o ly when he fin ds himself betrayed by Gaw ain that he awak e ns to the hideous reality of her falsen ess an d wan

n i a E a an t o n n e ss . Whe he d scovers the f lse tt rre d her b rutish crew slumberin g a fter their re d- revel in i n - a d a i i n an d a ain a the r golde pe ke p v l o s , G w

ai in id a tr tor the m st of them , the very fr mework

his in is a d and n a of be g sh ttere , he bursts out i storm of a gonized reproach

O e s n tow r so stro g,

" H u e S id u d t a e e n i e a e g , ol , wo l h t v wh l I g z , T h e crack o f e arthq u ake shive ring to your b as e

S i ou an d h e u u o u ar o o fs pl t y , ll b rst p y r h l t r o

’ ’ B e o in an d ar e d o u and h ro i in ll w g, ch r y thro t w th , ’ B a as th e h a o e a as a ul " l ck rl t s h rt, hollow sk l

F n i d an d add n d re z e m e e , he rushes from the pol

in i an d in his ad n i i an . lut g s ght , he lo g prec p t cy

Lan meets celot ,

Ridin ai i g r ly,

arm i a a i u a tin f th e u n W w th gr c o s p r g rom Q ee ,

O n wh o m th e b oy

- — Acro ss th e s ile n t se e de d me ado w grass

B o n e c as e d : An d Lan e o t a in a n a r , l h c l , s y g, Wh t me hast thou That ride st he re so blindly an d so h ard " 9 2 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G

N o na e no n a e h e sh o ute d a s o u r e am m , m , ; c g I f ” T o lash th e t re aso n s o th e Table Ro un d.

" " t h n m " n m s Y b u . t a e a e an a e h e rie d e a . , y I h v m y , c

am a h an d s am e and a e an d e i fa e I wr t h h t v l m , And like a po iso n o u s wind I pas s to bl ast

f n h And blaze th e crime o Lan ce lot a d t e Que e n .

P a in his adn is di i a elle s , m ess , but the re m ge of

’ H e ifi n a man n Lan celot s sin . typ es the se su l blow a b his own a i n a i n bout y the fury of p ss o s , po so ous

P a i n is a n ind a a n d i . a d w , to bl st k ll ss o fury , drives it s victims forever o n the win gs of eternal

a a i n d b an in a bl sts , p cture prese te to us y D te th t circle of the I n fern o where Fran cesca an d P ao lo

an i sin bemo the r , where

T h e sto rmy bla st o f he ll

i h e stle s fur d i ve th e s i i o n W t r s y r s p r ts ,

i e d o und an d das e d a ain i h Wh rl r h m w t sore an noy .

P a a his o b Lan a elle s , fter overthr w y celot , bre ks headlon g into the h all in the presen ce of Guin e

an d n i a n d da an vere her k ght mes , d the Queen off ers

n a i n i n a in co sol t o to the str cke youth , s y g

O r ast o u th e ie fs " If th e ue e n h th o r gr I , Q ,

m s th o n u an l Ma e t e o o e e d e t m e n w . y h lp h , l y t g , k o P E LLE A S A N D E TTA RRE 9 3

B ut P e lle as lifte d u p an e ye so ﬁe rce " Sh e u ai e d an d h e his in I h a e n o s o d q l , , s g v w r ,

n f o m th e do o i nt th T h Spr a g r r o e dark . e Que e n

L e d a d u o n he r e he on h e r ook h r p lov r, , An d e ach fore saw th e doloro u s day to b e ;

An d all tal die d as in a o e all s n k , gr v o g B e n e ath th e shadow o f so me bird of pre y ;

e n a o n si e n e a e u o n th e h a Th l g l c c m p ll , " And M d e d o u T h ti i s e e a d at and . o r th ght, m h r h

Until n ow the sin of Lan celot and the Queen h a d

n in in in and i n o i bee work g the ve s , subtly s le tly p so n in g and sowin g the seed of the wrath to come . In the Idyll of P e lle as and E t tarre it at last bursts

in an d n a d a n forth fury , the foul e s mple r w from

n i n oble ames m akes pollut on throughout the l an d .

M d d ai h as n ai in a a o re , the tr tor , bee w t g the f t l

n i i in a an a hour whe he m ght str ke , the ssur ce th t the sin of the ﬂesh h as un dermin ed the fair structure

In erain t and E nid " of the Roun d Table . G the shadow of the great sin h ad fallen ominously but

in alin an d B alan it ad i n n o t fatally ; B le s to v ole ce , an d dis a ster in the slaughter of the two brothers ; in P e lle as an d E ttarre it bla sts the great ideal of the Roun d Table a n d rolls it s bl ack wave to the foot of the thron e itself ; i n T he Last T ournamen t it s murky waters rise to en gulf all . 9 4 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G

T H E LA ST TOURN A ME N T

WH E N A rthur was m ade o n e with Guin evere by

D ubri c i i d wa s i i , the h gh pr est , the worl wh te w th

Ma i was i n i a n y ; t the spr gt me , the se so of the blos som an d the promise of the fulln ess of the time to

n i a i t come . The chro olog c l sett n g of T he Las T ournamen t is in the sea son of the yellowin g woo ds

-m I. " and a i n a an d ﬁn d in A ﬁ ht the f ll g le f , we K g rthur g in his a a a i n g l st gre t b ttle the west ,

That day whe n th e gre at light o f he ave n

’ n B urn d at his lowe st in th e rolli g ye ar .

This temporal framework i s the external symb ol ism o f a n an i i i a the se so s of hum l fe , the sp r tu l p ass age through the avenues of time from birth t o death

e From th e gre at de p to th e gre at de e p he goe s .

It is also the symbol of the moral growth an d then the decaden ce of the Rou n d Table through the ’ corruptin g in ﬂuen ce of the Queen s gre a t sin . The ’ sa d pres age of dyin g n ature i n A utumn s melan ch oly englooms the even ts of the last tournamen t TH E LA ST T OU RN A M E N T 9 5

" i n b A th e na n ad g ve y rthur, Tour me t of the De

Inn oce nce . The prize i s a ca rcan et of rubies found about the n eck of a m aiden babe rescued by A rthur a nd Lan ce ’ n lot from an eagle s n est . The b abe is give to

in a di an d n d i Gu evere to re r , but es , the Quee , el ver i n n a in a : g the eckl ce to the K g , s ys

ak e u th e e o f i d ad i n n n e T tho j ew ls th s e oce c ,

k m n o w i a o n - iz A n d a e e a u u e . m th , th lt, t r y pr e

— — P e rchan ce who kn o ws th e pure st o f thy kn ights Mayl vvi n th e m fo r th e pure st o f m y maids

’ Guin evere s words are in terpreted in to a broad

’ i n b i a in n in a an i ro y y Tr str m s w g the c rc et of rub es ,

i a i in Ma Tr str m , the lover of Isolt , the w fe of K g rk ,

n a d the faithless husb an d of Isolt of Britt an y . ’ D a on e t in a ﬁne ai g , the K g s j ester , m kes r llery over the un toward outcome of the Tourna men t of the

ad n n n in his a i in De I oce ce , reply to the c v l g Tristram

But Da on e t i o n e fo o o i e d i n hi s an d g , w th t p s h ,

F i e n d did e a a fo u n ai n e s e da r , y m rk th t t y t r y Made t o run wi n e " But thi s h ad run itse lf All o u t lik e a lon g life t o a so u r e n d 9 6 IDY LLS o r T H E KING

A n d the m that ro un d it sate w ith golde n c ups To h an d t h e w i n e t o who so e ver cam e

Th e t e ve sm a da e i as n n o e n e w l ll mos ls wh te I c c ,

In n o f o r n n n e t h e ba e ho or po I oce c b ,

’ Wh o l e ft t h e gems whi ch In n o ce n ce th e Que e n

Le n t o Ki n an d n n e n e th e Ki n t the g, I oc c g — G ave fo r a priz e an d o n e o f tho s e white slips

H an d d h e r c u an d i e d th e e o n e e p, p p , pr tty ,

’ D in k d i n Si r Fo o l an d e e u o n d an r , r k , , th r p I r k,

S a — i — th e c u w as o d t h e drau w as p t p sh p g l , ght

it i s a n a n na n Yes , the l st tour me t , the tour me t of

d ad in n n in ﬁttin l won b the e oce ce of Gu evere , g y y — i a . d n Tr str m , the free lover The gol e cup of ’ A rthur s table n o w holds but the muddy lees of ’ a o w La n celot s an d her si n . Tristr m n openly pro cla ims the doctrin e of lust :

— - Fre e lo ve fre e .ﬁ e ld w e love b ut while w e m ay ;

Th e o o d are us e d e i r m usi i s n o o e w s h h , th c m r

Th e e af i s de ad t h e a n i n as a a l , ye r g p t w y

’ N e w af n e w ife th e da o f f o s are o e r le , l , ys r t ;

N e w ife n e w o ve t o s ui t h e n e e da l , l , t w r y N e w lo ve s are sw e e t as th o se that w e n t b e fo re

v — f l — w l v b hi e m a Fre e lo e re e ﬁ e d e o e ut w l we y .

’ i a a i Da on e t in Tr str m expostul tes w th g , the K g s

n ot da n in i his n j ester , for c g to the mus c of so g .

9 8 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G the spiritu al h ouse ; the ﬂesh has rebelled against ’ i n an d A is the sovere g ty of the soul , rthur s work

La n an n re thus undon e . celot d the Quee a the ﬁrst

sin O f i to break tha t bon d. Then follows the Tr s

an tram d Isolt .

e n o e f win t e e m i ie s ni ht Th th rs , ollo g h s y m ght t k g s ,

An d d a i n f u n am e fr fai n a e s r w g o l e s pl om r m ,

n n a s Si e d l o .

GUIN E VE RE

T H E a i n id re p ss o s , let loose from the br le of

i n ai n n a a n d all . One d str t , ﬁ lly le p bey o curb efect o

d a n a a n an d wa r succee s other ; tre chery , tre so , quickly follow ; pe a ce dies an d strife is again born . The Queen ﬂees an d seeks refuge i n the monastery '

of Alme sbury .

H e r cau se of ﬂight Sir Modre d ; h e that like a subtle be ast

La u an i h is e e u n th e t n y co ch t w th y s po hro e ,

Re ad in ai in a an e . y to spr g, w t g ch c

a n a in it s wa a Tre so , m k g y through the bre ch

b a i n a its in i a . P as wrought y p ss o , pl ys s ster p rt sio n an d m alice alike combin e a gain st the stricken

soul . T O Alme sbury the grea t Kin g comes to forgive T H E P A SSIN G OF A RT H U R 9 9

in a as i his Gu evere , but to repro ch her well w th gre at un doin g :

P ro n e fro Off h e r se at. sh e fe m ll , An d grove le d with h e r fac e again st the ﬂoor ;

ith h e r i hite a m s an s he e d ado ai . T r , w m lkw r h wy h r

h r fa e a da n e ss f h K Sh e made e c rk rom t e ing.

LO fo ive t e e as e te n a G o d , I rg h r l

e do h u for t in e own u h Forgiv s ; t o h so l t e re st .

A rthur p asses from her presen ce in the hope that

H e re afte in a o d e e all are u e r, th t w rl wh r p r ,

We i wo m a e e e fo e i G o d an d t o u t y m t b r h gh , h

Wi t s rin to m e an d aim m e in e an d n l p g cl th , k ow — am hin e us an d no t a a e u I t h b sm ll r so l ,

N o r Lan e t n or an e . c lo , oth r

T H E P A SSIN G OF A RTH UR

T H E smolderin g ﬁres O f trea son have n ow broken

i n O n i n an d Alm esbur in out pe rebell o , from y the K g 1 0 goes to ﬁght tha t l ast great ﬁght before he p asses . A rthur is forewa rn ed of his comin g dep arture by

O f a ain n the ghost G w , who , blow

Alo ng a w ande rin g win d an d p ast his e ar " e nt h i in H o all de i h " W s r ll g, ollow , holl w , l g t 1 0 0 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G

H ai Kin to -m o w t o u ha t a a a l , g, rro h s l p ss w y

Fa e he i s an is e O f e st fo r t e e rew ll T re l r h ,

An d am o n a n a an de in ind I bl w lo g w r g w . ” o a i An d o o ll de t . h ll w , h llow , l gh

i is a ain i O f an d ai Th s G w , l ght love f thless to his

i nd O f i in in i a i fr e , the mocker holy v rg s the r ecst s es , an d n ow forever blow n about upon a wan derin g ’ ind an d i an F a n a ai in a w , , l ke D te s r cesc , bew l g th t i a a n d in as rrevoc ble p st , o ce revele the very sub

an O f i n ow nd an i O f st ce l fe , fou empty , the v ty the

A i i a m an h d . as worl But to rthur , the sp r tu l , who stood ﬁrm amidst the shocks O f conﬂict a n d the

n a O f a i n i an d o sl ughts tempt t o , he prom ses rest

a an d n a o n i his a ai Of pe ce , the p sses w th perpetu l w l sorrow . The n follows the great b attle in the west with its

H omeric proportion s .

And t e e t a day e n th e e a i h o f e a e n h r , h t , wh gr t l g t h v

B u ne d at his e in th e o l in e a r low st r l g y r ,

s O n th e wa te san d by th e waste se a th e y closed .

B ut whe n th e dolo rou s day

G e d a ie t a d t i i t fa in a e r w re r r , ow r w l gh ll g, c m

A itte r ind e a f th e N rth and e b w , cl r rom o , bl w

T he is aside and i t a in d th e ide m t , w th h t w t

R se and th e a e Kin an e d a s th e ﬁ d o , p l g gl c cros el

1 0 2 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G

M d d ai dd n a a n a o re , the tr tor , su e ly ppe rs e r them , an d B edivere p o in ts him out to the stricken Kin g

H e that brought

T h e e at e n a am o n u s y n de stan ds h h b ck g o r ,

M d e d un a m e d th e t aito o f t ine o u se . o r , h r , r r h h " e n s a e th e Kin : M use h as e e n m do Th p k g y ho b y om ,

B ut a n o t th o u t i t aito o f use c ll h s r r mv ho ,

Wh o a b ut d e e n e a o n e o o f i h th w lt b th r w th m e .

M use are rat e r t e wh o s a e m y o ws y ho h hos w r v ,

Y e a e e n i e t e a t n d m K e e o e e in . , v wh l h y br k h m , w g

An d e fo r th e e sa in in m da u w ll . y g, y rk ho r,

e n all th e u r o r O f m h o n e at fai e d Wh p p t y t r h h l ,

a ui o r de ad h o u o de s m e fo r Kin Th t, q ck , t h l t g;

in m s r K a a o e e b e t e i c . g I , wh t v r h r y

’ Through Mo dre d s tre ason the heathen have been brought b a ck ; in tern al discord h as open ed

d i man the oors to the foes w thout ; the lower ,

sin h as a d a an d n i O f through , betr ye the pe ce u ty

in i n o-w a d i the soul , whose tegr ty , sh ttere , l es ex i posed to the a tt acks O f all m align an ts . B ed vere

i n A in a n d i a his d i st ll ow s rthur K g , re ter tes ﬁ el ty

ia i a m an i n i O f an d a n . i d lleg ce The sp r tu l , the m st all af i i n d a a in an d a d i ﬂ ct o s , rebelle g st betr ye , st ll a his a i an d i in in di ni sserts uthor ty , , r s g up the g ty

O f his i i r ght , cr es out T H E P A SSIN G OF A RT H U R 1 0 3

Kin am I a s e b e the i cr . g , wh t oev r r y

re is d a his Those a of h househol who swe r vows , an n in a in m i i d eve the bre k g of the , sp te of the r

. e rﬁd o wn him in as did awain in p y , must K g , G , the ” i i n n a dd d A H ai in " v s o , whe he resse rthur , l , K g

S w n d d A an d Sir di orely ou e , rthur comm s Be vere to

his an d E a i in a an d n throw br xc l bur to the l ke , the

a n report to him wha t h ppe s . A fter bein g twice

ai a i n O f i O f f thless , through tempt t o the r ches the

i i ﬂin s E a i n d i an d h lt , Be vere g xc l bur to the mere , reports to A rthur

e n it o t an ds un him e e in him Th w h b h h I ﬂ g , wh l g ,

B ut. e n o o e d a ain e d an arm wh I l k g , b hol ,

C o e d in h i e sa ite m s i o n de fu l th w t m , y t c , w r l , That caught him by th e hilt an d b ran dishe d him

h im s an e e e d d e him u n de in th e e e . T r t , r w r m r

’ i i a a n b w i it h ad The soul s sp r tu l we po , y h ch

i n it s n i in a O f i is n d sm tte e em es the b ttle l fe , retur e

R i i n Lad O f La is n o to el g o , the y the ke ; for there lon ger n eed of it on the j ourn ey to the Isles of

R is n o wa a a an d a . est , where rf re , but pe ce e se

A i s n b di S rthur bor e y Be vere to the hore , where

i a a a l es bl ck b rge , whose 1 0 4 IDYLLS OF T H E KIN G

De s e e de n se it s ate fo ck w r w h t ly rms , — B a - e d a k- o o de d i e a d e am b he e l ck stol , bl c h , l k r y t s

Three que e n s with cro w ns o f go ld .

These are the three queen s who Should help

A a t his n d i a i rthur ee ; the three theolog c l v rtues , n ow come to the a ssistan ce O f the fa ithful soul

n n i a i nd n it . p ss g to the eter ty beyo , there to crow ’ di at in an d a him o n Be vere , the K g s comm , pl ces

a n A a dd him the b rge , whe ce rthur resses before departing

T he Old o de an e ie din a e n e w r r ch g th , y l g pl c to ,

An d G o d fu ﬁ s H i se f in m an w a s l ll m l y y .

n s m s r Lest o e good cu to hould cor upt th e w o rld .

The time h as come when the pearl is to be su n d d n a ere from the shell , whe the soul p sses from

Old d i in n e w d the or er , l fe the ﬂesh , to the or er beyon d sp ace and time . Slowly moves the s able

a a n d i it s wai in b rge from the shore , , w th l g ﬁgures ,

an i n d i n an d i an v shes beyo the hor zo , Bed vere st ds

a in a it g z g fter ,

ain n hi s e s e n n Str i g ye b e ath a arch Of h an d.

H e has p assed ; the spiritual ﬁght is over .

An d th e n e w sun e in in th e n e w e a . ros , br g g y r

1 0 6 IDY LLS OF T H E KING

Fifte e n e a s afte a ds in 1 o r in 1 4 70 . 485 it was u i s ed y r rw r , , p bl h ’

C a to n the st En is in te . e nn so n fo o s Ma o s by x , ﬁr gl h pr r T y ll w l ry

sto in its m ai n na ati e and in its e t i a ine s i e he sm oot e s ry rr v h c l l , wh l h away i ts in co nsiste n cie s and its co nfusions and re ﬁ ne s with a mod

e rn touch its rugge d co nto ur .

Sir Ed a d St a in his int odu tio n to the G o e e ditions w r r chy , r c l b Of ﬁl orte Darthur (Macmill an summ arize s the ch ar ’ " acte r Of Mal o ry s b o o k as fo ll ows : The plan Of the b oo k is i e the o of A t u as th d Of the o e e i . W e ea pr p rly p c h l gl ry r h r , h

in do m s no e ss t an O f the chiy alr of C iste ndom is on in its k g l h y hr , ly e a da n Me in a ns him t at the se e ds of de at i s in rly w , rl w r h h w ll pr g up in all this fair prom ise thro ugh the sin Of him se lf and o f his Sti the fam e and the on o Of the K in and his ni ts Q ue e n . ll h r g k gh

of the Round a e e n co n tinuallv into n e w an d i te fo m s T bl Op br gh r r ,

whre h~seem ~ab ova t he r eae h e f a n o ad ve rse f ate ti the omin y , ll c g

Of the Sanc rael into the ue st Of i all the ni ts e nte g , q wh ch k gh r with th at se lf re lian ce which had b e com e th em so we ll in the

e d of o d i a but i ou d b e of no a ai now . ﬁ l w rl ly ch v lry , wh ch w l v l Th e y are now to b e tried by o th e r te sts than those by which the y ‘ ’ had e en o e d ea t ni ts and o e s te sts i e e n b pr v r hly k gh l v r , wh ch v Laun e ot E to de Ma is G a ain and the ot e ie fest of the c l , c r r , w , h r ch n he t i e d the o fe ll owship could not sta d . T ques is ach ev by h ly

ni ts a one two de a t f om t is ife to a i e i e Sir B o s k gh l f p r r h l h gh r, wh l r , no t uite s ot ess ve t fo i e n and san ti e d the in e t e e n the q p l , rg v c ﬁ , l k b w

e a t and the s i i tua o ds etu n s to aid in e sto in the r hly p r l w rl , r r r r g

gl o ry of the fe asts and tournam e nts at Cam el ot and We stminste r .

is at work z th se i e b e t" e e n ood and e i VBut the curse e m c g v l which had be e n de cl are d through the Sancgrael cannot be cl ose d — a ain : and the t a i e nd om e s on in s ite of the effo ts te ach g ﬂ r g c c , p r — t — ing ﬁ ém he i w e akn eSS Of Art hur and Laun ce l ot to ave rt thm é the o ne ain t in to e sist te m tation the ot e , by v ly ry g r p , h r f n i The by re fusing to be lie ve e vil Of his wi e a d h s de are st frie nd.

a o uds o e n for a m om ent sun oe s do n we bl ck cl p g w , se e Arthur In the b arge to the H oly Isle ; Guin N OTE S

e e e the nun of Al m esb ur i in in fastin ay e s and a ms v r , y, l v g g, pr r , l

de e ds and Laun e o t it his fe o s i on e ni ts n ow he r ; c l w h ll w h p , c k gh , ’ - mi t ie sts 5doin odi all m anne of se i e . pr , g b ly r rv c It will b e se e n from the ab o ve outline how cl ose ly T e nnyson hi i n B t it adh e re s in its broad lin e s to the fashion Of s o r gi al . u m ust n o t be im agine d that the autho r Of the Idylls of the K i ng ’ i e fait fu to the so ught m e re ly to ve rsify Malory s story . Wh l h l ins i ation Of his sou e the oe t not onl em ode e d an d e ne d p r rc , p y r l r ﬁ ’ l\Ialor s ude m ate ia b ut has e e ate d the sto it out y cr r l , r cr ry w h

osin i ts ofound e t i a a ue an d ada te d it it consum l g pr h c l v l , p w h m ate artistic skill to m ode rn appre ciatio n with o ut sacriﬁcing its " m e i i l is A t u the fau t e ss Kin t at assio ate d ae a s it . v l p r l r h r , l l g, h p n ” ' ’ e fe tion is nit a to e t e l\Ialo r s e o who is b no m e ans p r c , l g h r y h r , y ’ ’ am e e ss and o se sin as e as G uin e e e s and Lan e ot s bl l , wh , w ll v r c l , ’ con curs in bringing about t h e de struction Of the Round Tabl e . e nn son i e s us a e fe ct in and e n t e m an ose a T y g v p r k g g l , wh ch r ’ a te is a su im a tio n of hIalor s an ie n t e m e o and e t in c r bl y c p r r , y

e n e a o ntou e e ts ide a ize d it is t ue the e o i fe atu e s g r l c r r ﬂ c , l , r , h r c r Of the e n t n As he has ide a ize d l ge dary so n Of U he r Pe dragon . [ l A t u it o u t o sin the m e di ae a a a te Of the o a e o r h r w h l g v l ch r c r r y l h r , " ” SO has he t ea te d in e ne a the Old im e fe t ta e ne w -Old on r g r l p r c l , , ide a ize d ine s iftin it out of i ts ude isto i - e e nda se ttin l l , l g r r h r c l g ry g and adapting it to his purpose of Sh adowing se nse at war wi th ” " sou t at it m i t o in t a m o a t hi wn n i o s o e e at o n . A l , h gh p r l g r ” t ruth l o o ks fre she st in th e fashion of the day was Eve rard' ’ ’ H all s (T e n nyso n s) re ason for n ot publishing his e pic of K ing

A t But a i e m e nt r hur . r p r "udg le d the po e t to e n shrine th at t ut in the old e e nd m ade an e i ni r h l g w by h s ge us . ’ " 2 T he e isode o f A t s e i e e . p r hur d s re to b e "oine d with Guin v re ’ s t i e s a o found note Of e nn son s m use i sounds in an r k pr T y , wh ch , e s e ia w a t ou out the Id s and in his e ate oe m s . p c l y , hr gh yll gr r p An insiste n t do ctrine in his phil oso phy Of life is the fundam e ntal ne e d O f the pu rity and pe rm an e n cy Of the fam ily in orde r to in sure

uman o t and n e n sta e d o e is h gr w h progre ss . I pur a d ble we dd l v 1 0 8 IDY LLS OF T H E KIN G

’ t n n s s i i e at o nce the ho pe and pe rfe c io o f ma o c al l fe . N O po t sings the promise or fulﬁllm e n t Of we dde d passio n with a pure r

te ea the o nd of ma i ta affe tion and and cl e are r no . TO br k b r l c fait is to de st o um an so ie t at its fo undation and i t is t is h r y h c y , h ’ dire sin in G uine ve re which brings about the ruin Of Arthur s It is o n in e dde d union it the t kingdom . ly w w h Q ue e n h at the King

H as o e o n t is da and to i te n it p w r h rk l l gh , nd o e o n t is de a o d to m a e it i e A p w r h d w rl k l v .

’ T e nnyson s l ofty ide al of the m arrie d sta te m ay b e gathe re d from the se ve re pro batio n which Arthur impo se s upon his knigh ts be fo re th e y m ay attain the go al of the ir de sire

I m ade th e m lay th e ir hands m mine and swe ar T o re ve r e n ce the King as if he we re e i o ns ie n e and t e i ons ie n e as t e i K in Th r c c c , h r c c c h r g, T o e a the eat e n and u o d the C ist br k h h ph l hr , ide a oad e d e ssin uman on s TO r br r r g h wr g , T o s e a n o S ande n o n o r iste n to it p k l r, , l , ’ ono t e i ow n o d as if t e i God s TO h r h r w r h r , T o ead s e e t i e s in u e st astit l w l v p r ch y , o e o ne m aide n o n e a e to he r TO l v ly , cl v , And o s i her e a s Of no e de e ds w r h p by y r bl , i n Un t l the y w o he r.

In The Two V oi ces in i the o e m is sui ide as it ad , wh ch pr bl c ’ d e sse s i tse f to the m o de n s e ti unde th e u de n of ife s i s r l r k p c r b r l ll , we ﬁnd the gl oom Of do ubt and de spair utte rly dispe ll e d i n the

on te m a tion Of the se e ne unit Of the fami in the fat e c pl r y ly h r , the m ot e and the i d : h r , ch l

e se t e e m ade uni t SO s eet Th hr y w , M f oze n e a t e an to eat y r h r b g b , e m e m e in its an ie nt R b r g c h e at .

I e st t e m and t e ande e d on bl h , h y w r I s o e but ans e ame t e e none : p k . w r c h r T he du and itte o i e was n ll b r v c go e .

1 1 0 IDYLLS OF T H E K IN G

It is en the o d is ite it Ma t at Dub ric the wh w rl wh w h y h , " i e s A t u an i n It w as as t the i i e st m a d G u e e e . h gh pr , rr r h r v r p ” time of Easte rday wh e n G are th set fo rth fo r the mys tic city of It is us t afte W itsun tide t at G s o n the Came l ot . " r h h que st which re sults in his m arriage with E the ﬁrst

t e e Id s The Comi n o A rthur Gareth and The hr yll , g f ,

Marri a e o Gerai nt w e se e the s in tim e o f the Ro und a e g f , pr g T bl , ’ and fai it o ut taint ﬂaw am n s rt s e n all is f e s or o t A u wh r h r , w h g h r

B e innin it Geraint and En id the summe se ts ni t ood . k gh h g g w h , r in and ontinuous t ou o ut the a tio n in the o de e e e nu , c hr gh c ( r r h r m e rate d of Bali n an d Balan Merli n and Vi vi en Lan elot and ) , c Elai ne The Tl ol Grail and om e s to i ts ose i n P elleas and , y , c cl ’ rre An e e -de e e nin note Of m e na e to A t u s Etta . v r p g c r h r work s e s it the ad an in summ e tide as the oiso n of G uine w ll w h v c g r , p ’ e e s sin s e ads t ou o ut the O de o f the Ro und a e v r pr hr gh r r T bl , " un ti it m oans t ou the e o in oods the ou Of the l hr gh y ll w g w , h r " the se ason o f the Last na t it e e d e af ou me n . w h r l , T r

t - um autum n i in All in a dea h d b dr pp g gl o om .

Gui nevere and The P assi n g of Arthur cl o se the symbolic time in te Be ond the on e n t e in the de e . a s e e the cycl p w r y c v w ll , wh r ui t ue e n a o s g l y Q h rb r ,

T he ite mist i e a fa e - o t to the fa e wh , l k c cl h c , t C un to the de ad e a and the and was sti . l g r h , l ll

i ’ Arthur s l ast gre at ba ttl e is in midwinte r in the barren land of Lvone sse

e e the u sue ou d u sue n o m o e Th r p r r c l p r r , he t at ﬂe d no f t the K in And h ur he r ﬂy g; And t e e t at da e n the e at i t Of ea e n h r , h y wh gr l gh h v B u n e d at his o e st in the o in e a r l w r ll g y r, t san O n the was e d by the waste se a the y cl ose d.

A t u a na e d a e is ast at th e fe e t Of hi e rlin the r h r , k b b , c by i h n H e ninth wave of the great de e p on the n ght of t e e w ye ar . N OTE S 1 1 1

passe s now at the close of the Old ye ar out into the great de e p ’ a ain a o din to hi e rlin s o ds g , cc r g w r ,

om the e at de e to the e at de e he oe s Fr gr p gr p g . A

4 In the e arlv C u du in the Rom an e se u tions t e e . h rch r g p r c h r grew up an e xIge nt cus tom Of care fully guarding the grave r m ste ies Of the Fait f om the e at e n and a so f om n e o te s y r h r h h , l r phy who we re s till unde r in struction . Symbol s Of the m o re sacre d

do t in e s and ite s e e fte n use d e t e e n C istians i c r r w r O b w hr , wh ch to t e m on e e d a idde n m e an in but e e uninte i i e to h c v y h g, w r ll g bl Am on s t t e se s o s the the h e ath e n abo ut the m . g h ymb l m ost con ’ s icuous w as the G e e o d for fi sh I 6i§s to indi ate C ist as p r k w r , X , c hr , the lette rs co m po sing this wo rd m ade the initial s Of the se nte n ce : ’ ' 7 ' ’ ' I 0 oz t a rb 06 0 8 ufos O wr f J e sus C ist Son of od a i u $ s G S o . n Xp zp, hr , , v r T he C istian in s i tio n dis o e e d at Autun F an e in 1 839 hr cr p c v r , r c , , has re fe re nce to C hrist in the H o ly Jucharist unde r the sym bo l Of the sacre d fish : Take the food swe e t as h o ney Of the Savior ” of th ne s e at and d in o din th fi h i the an e o o e s n ds . h ly , r k h l g h It w as the custom in the prim itive C hurch to re ce ive the sacre d S e ie s st in the ands t e n in the m o ut Of the omm uni p c fir h , h h , c an t E le siasti a isto ians a t is a ti e of on e a in th c . cc c l h r c ll h pr c c c c l g e m ste ie s f om the e at e n and ne o tes Dis i ina A ani y r r h h phy , c pl rc ,

The Discipline Of the Se cre t.

5 . T en son in Bali n and Balan de i ts the o use o d of Kin y , , p c h h l g ) g Qe am s an ins tan e of e i ious désadene e t ll a c r l g in co n tras with ’ ’ the t t t Pe llam s ast pure and active pie y Of Ar hur s co ur . c le is ﬁl e d it s u ious e i s i a so the fa se de o tion of the l w h p r r l c , wh ch b rb l v de e i t K in who m a e s aim to be the de s e ndan t Of J ose cr p g, k cl c ph ’ o i he s e a i Ba in se ize s in Pe llam s a e f A mat e a . T r h p r wh ch l ch p l , ’ e n u sue d the atte s fo o e s is not the t ue s e a w i wh p r by l r ll w r , r p r h ch ’ pie rce d Christ Sside ; its point is painte d re d to sim ulate the bl ood i e e i t t n ti e ti f th t Ma m o s e ns he sa d o e ue e a on . o wh ch v r c ﬁ p r w p l ry , ’ ’ o e e d a s no su ont ast e t e e n Pe llam s and A t u s h w v r , r w ch c r b w r h r ou ts and s e a s Of the s e a it i B a in ounds Kin c r , p k p r w h wh ch l w g 1 1 2 IDY LLS O F T H E K IN G

n Ba in sa i e ious use s Pe llam as the auth e n tic l ance . Wh e l cr l g ly the sa e d ai e the ast e fa s in uins a o u t him and K in cr gl v , c l ll r b g ’

i . f . 1 Morte Darthur B oo II . C a s . x v . I e llam . C , k , h p , xv

’ he e e m e nt o f u e m a i e in the e son Of Vi ie n a e a s 6 . T l p r l c , p r v , pp r fo r the ﬁrst tim e in B ali n and Balan Vivi e n is the in carnation Of " te he de s i e s e se f in the su e e din Id as e nvy and ha . S cr b h r l cc g yll ” " ” o ne bo rn from de ath and sown upo n the wind . H e r song in ’ Bali n and B alan chim e s significantly wi th Tristram s fre e -l ove s n rhym e s in The Last Tournament . In he r wo rd sou ds the dre ad

he sin t m e nace Of the undoing of the Ro und T abl e . S gs he ' e naissan e of the an ie nt a anism the Old Sun - o s i Of the r c c p g , w r h p and and itte s offs at the C istian tea in s Of se f-re res l , b rly c hr ch g l p sion and chastity :

Old ie st who m um e s o s i In ou ui e pr , bl w r h p y r q r , ’ O ld m on and n un e s o n the o d s de si e k , y c r w rl r , Ye t In your frosty ce ll s ye fe e l the ﬁ re "

T he ﬁ re of h eave n Is no t the ﬂam e Of h e ll .

She oat e s A t u and his Round a e ose ide a is the l h r h r T bl , wh l

s s i s She dire ct o pposite o f the se nsual pagani m he pro cla m . would de stroy him and his k nighth ood and bring back the Old sun- o s i i C istianit has su ante d in the and w r h p , wh ch hr y ppl l

e n tu nin to he r s ui e is ﬁ re of ea e n Th r g q r , Th h v , is Old sun- o s i bo i ise a ai n Th w r h p , y, w ll r g , And e at the oss to e a t and e a the K in b cr r h , br k g ” And all his T abl e

7 The a t it o de n o ns ose u suit th e . h r w h g l h r , wh p r by K ni ts Of the Ro und a e is na ate d hi e rlin a e a s to be gh T bl rr by , pp r

f he e o n sto to d M e in o f o o r ame . T S d gl ry c ry l by rl ,

A m aid so sm o ot so ite so o nde fu h , wh , w r l , e said a i t am e f o m he r e n She m o e d Th y l gh c r wh v ,

o u d se e m to o n e the s m o of the im a e O f e aut ose w l c v y y b l g b y , wh " " isle -n urture d e ye s wage d such unwilling tho ugh succe ssful

1 1 4 IDYLLS OF T H E K IN G a cco un t of the San cgrae l : At this tim e a ce rtain m arvelous vision w as re ve al e d by an ange l to a ce rtai n h e rm it i n Bri tain co nce rning

t J o se the de u io n who de ose d f om the os th S . s e o d Of ph , c r p r cr b y

O ur Lo d as e as o n e nin the ate n o r dis i n the i r , w ll c c r g p h wh ch

O ur Lo d su e d i t H is dis i e s e e of the isto was r pp w h c pl , wh r h ry ‘ ’ w ritte n out b v the said h e rm i t and is call e d Of the Grail (de

r da N ow a a tte oad and som e at de e is a e G a li . d ) pl r , br wh p , c ll in F e n radali s o r radale e e in o s t m e ats i t t e i r ch g g , wh r c ly w h h r sau e are o nt to b e set e fo e i fo de e e s radatim c w b r r ch lk by gr (g ) , one m o se afte anot e in di e s o de s and in u a s e e r l r h r v r r r , v lg r p ch i t is a e d raalz for t at it is ate fu and a e ta e to him c ll g , h gr l cc p bl t at e ate t t e e in as e fo r t at i o ntaine t the i tua h h h r , w ll h wh ch c h v c l , for t at a it is Of si e or o t e e ious m e ta as for the h h ply lv r h r pr c l , ” t nts t e e of to wit the m anifo d o u se s Of ost m e t on e a s . c h r , , l c r c ly

is cu o r ai o ntainin the e ious ood was ou t Th p gr l c g pr c bl br gh , a o din to the e e nd J ose of A im at e a the afo esaid cc r g l g , by ph r h , r h de u ion to G asto n u . W e n t e e o e Of the and fe c r , l b ry h p pl l ll i n to i e dne ss i t was ta e n u to e a e n to e tu n on en w ck k p h v , r r ly wh

n e m o e e nte e d into the a s of o ine ss th e y shall h ave o c r r w y h l . ’ 1 0 In A t u s o ds ust e fo e the e a t att e in the e st . r h r w r , " b r gr b l w , e xpre sse d the ago ny Of the Spiri tual m an se e ing how the e vil life would se em to tram pl e down the good

I found H im in the s ini n Of the sta s h g r , I ma e d H im in the o e in of H is e ds rk fl w r g fi l , n H is a s i t m e n I fi nd H i n t B ut i w y w h m o . d H is a s and now I ass and die I a e . w g w r , p O m e "fo r why is all around us h e re As if some e sse od had m ade the o d l r g w rl , B ut had not force to sh ape it as he would i the H i God e o d it f om e ond T ll gh b h l r b y , And e nte r it and m ake i t be autiful " O r e se as if the o d e e o fai l w rl w r wh lly r , But t at t e se e e s Of m e n are de nse and dim h h y , And have no t powe r to se e it as i t is : P e an e e ause we se e no t to the ose rch c , b c cl ; Fo r I e in sim e t ou t to o H is i , b g pl , h gh w rk w ll , N OTE S 1 1 5

And have but stricke n with the sword in vain ; And all whe re on I le ane d in wife and frie nd Is t ai to to m e a e and all m e a m r r y p c , y r l int the e a t an Is n Ree s a o s d o m o e . l b ck b , r l\I G od t ou ast fo otte n m e i n m de at y , h h rg y h — m ist—I ass b ut S a n t i N a God C o d e . y , y hr p , h ll

N ot it standin the da ne ss t at o m e s o e his sou his w h g rk h c v r l ,

n H is fait Is all faith rise s trium phant In this his h our Of ago y . h in is t t om he s a not ie n the sin s e n e C ou d . I o hr , hr gh wh h ll cl g c ’ of The P assi n o A rthur e nn son fo lo s Ma o s a oun t g f , T y l w l ry cc

in a . f . orte D rt B X a s s i it and su stan e . C M hur oo X L C p r b c , k , h p

iv. an d v .

T H E E N D An Int ro duct io n to t he

St udy o f A m e ri c an Lit e rat ure

B Y B RA N D E R MA TT H E WS P ro fe sso r o f Li t e ra t ure i n C ol umb i a U ni ve rsit y

C lo th l 2mo 256 a e s Pr e , , p g ic

A te t oo O f te ature o n a n o n a an and o n fo rm x b k li r rigi l pl , c

in t t h e e st m e t o ds o f te a i n g wi h b h ch g .

A dm a de s n e d to u de to su e m e n t an d to st m a ir bly ig g i , ppl , i ' ate th e stude n t s e ad n O f A me an au l r i g ric tho rs .

I ust ate d t a ﬁ n e o e t o n o f fa s m e man us ts ll r wi h c ll c i c i il crip ,

o t a ts o f aut o s an d e ws o f t e r o m e s an d t la e s p r r i h r , vi h i h bir hp c .

B t e a and fas n at n it is t se f a t e a o r o f righ , cl r , ci i g , i l li r ry w k

ran high k . T he b o ok co n si sts mo stly O f de light fully re adabl e and ye t co mpre he n sive li ttle bi ographi e s o f the ﬁ fte e n gre ate st and

m o s e e se ntat e A m e an te s E a h o f the s e t e s t r pr iv ric wri r . c k ch

o n ta ns a t a e st m at e o f the aut o and h is o s c i cri ic l i h r w rk , which

is the mo e a ua e o m n as it doe s f o m o ne who is r v l bl c i g , , r

f a m aste r T he o is o unde d o ut fo u e n e a himse l . w rk r by r g r l chap te rs which take up o the r pro mi ne n t autho rs an d di scuss

the sto an d o nd t on s o f o ur te atu e as a o e T he hi ry c i i li r r wh l . bo o k al so co ntai n s a co mpl e te chro no logy o f the b e st A me rican

te atu e f o m the e n n n do n to th e re se n t e od li r r r b gi i g w p p ri . E ach o f the ﬁ fte e n bio graphical ske tche s is illustrate d by a ﬁ ne po rtrait o f its subj e ct and vi e ws o f his birthpl ace o r

m ase s f o t e are a so ae o m re side nce an d in so e c O b h . Th y l c ’ panie d by e ach autho r s fac simil e m an usc rip t co ve ri ng o ne o r

t wo a e s T h e oo o n ta n s e e e nt o t a ts o f man p g . b k c i xc ll p r r i y

amous in A me an te atu e o the r autho rs f ric li r r .

Co i es se n t re a id on r ece i t o the r i ce . p , p p , p f p

Ame ric an Bo o k C o mpany

N E W YO RK C I N C I N N AT I C H I C A G O

A Mo de rn Che mistry E LE MENTARY CHE MISTRY

LA B O R A T O RY MA N UA L

5 0 0 .

W C L A R K E B F . y . C h i e f C h e mis t o f t h e U ni t e d St a t e s G e o l o g i c a l S urve y n L M D E N N I S a d . . P ro fe sso r o f Ino rgan ic a nd A naly t ical C h e mi s t ry i n C o rne ll U nive rsi t y

H E stud o f ch e mi st r a a t f o m its s ie nt c and y . y , p r r c iﬁ de ta e d a at o ns is a t a n n in the nte e tat o n il pplic i , r i i g i rpr i o f e de n e and e e n e s on e of its e f me ts as an i n vi c , h r i li chi ri st um e n t of e du at o n T h e aut o s o f t s E e me nta r c i . h r hi l ry C he mi stry h ave had thi s ide a c o n stan tly i n mi nd : th e o ry and

a t e t o u t and a at o n are o a e t to e t e pr c ic , h gh pplic i , l gic lly k p g h r , and e ach ge n e rali zati o n fo llows th e e vide n c e upo n which it

e sts . Th e a at o n o f th e s e n e to um an affa s and r pplic i ci c h ir , its ut t i n m ode n fe are e n atme n t ili y r li , giv the ir pro pe r tre . T h e La Manu bo rato ry al c o n tai ns dire cti o ns fo r e xpe rim e nts

ust at n all th e o nts ta e n u and e a e d t e fe ill r i g p i k p , pr p r wi h r r e n e to th e e o m c r c me ndati o ns o f th e C o mmi tte e o f T e n and th e

C o e e E nt an e E am nat o n Boa d E a a te nate a e ll g r c x i i r . ch l r p g

n e e ds o f b th o th ose stude nts who i nte nd to take a mo re ad va nce d ou se i n e m a t ra n n and o f t ose who a e no c r ch ic l i i g , h h v t o u t o f ursu n th e stud fu t e h gh p i g y r h r . A ME RICA N B OOK COMP A N Y P ubl i sh e rs CINCIN N A TI CHICA GO Birds o f t he Un i t e d St at e s

A Manual fo r t he Ide nt ific at io n o f Spe c ie s East t he Ro cky Mo untai ns

B Y A IN C A P GA R UST .

A ut ho r o f T re e s o f t h e N o rt h e rn U n i t e St a t e s d ,

2 o 4 5 s Ill t rat e d C o t 1 m l a e . us l h , , p g

T h e obj e ct o f thi s b o o k is to e nco urage th e study o f B irds

m a n it a e asan t and e as ta T h e at m e n t e s . e t by ki g pl y k r , whil

tho o u l s e nt and a u ate is n te re st n and o u a r gh y ci iﬁc cc r , i i g p p l r in fo m and att a t e to the e ade o r stude n t It o e rs the r , r c iv r r . c v fo l lo wi ng divi si o ns an d subj e cts

P R T I A e n e ra de s t n o f B rd a e a A . g l crip io i s nd an xpl an

o n o f th e te n a t e m s use d o rn th o lo sts ti ch ic l r by i gi .

P A RT II C ass at o n an d de s t o n o f e a s e e s . l iﬁc i crip i ch p ci ,

t K e wi h y .

P A R T III T h e stud o f B ds in th e e d t K e fo r . y ir ﬁ l , wi h y

n a n the ir ide tiﬁc tio .

P A R T IV P e a a n m n s t o o f B d s e e . . r p r i ir p ci

T he de scripti o ns o f th e se v e ral spe ci e s h ave be e n pre pare d wi th gre at care an d p re se nt se ve ral advantage s o ve r th os e in o t r e are sh an d so a nl e e sse d t a he bo o ks . Th y o rt pl i y xpr h t

a h e r T h the y m ay b e re call e d re adily whil e looki ng t t bi d . e bo o k is co pi ously e mb e lli she d wi th ill ust rati o ns drawn e sp e

ciall fo r t s o y hi w rk .

i e s w i ll be se n t r e a id o r: r e ce i t o ﬁ l e r i ce Co . p , p p , p f p

Ame rican Bo o k C o mpany C I N C I N N AT I C H I C AG O A N e w A s t r o n o m y

D M A Ph D V D D . B DA I P O . Y . . . T , ,

P ro e sso r o f A st ro no m a n d D ire c t o r o f t h e O bs e rva t o r A mh e rs t C o lle e f y y , g

t I ust ra e d. Pri e C o t h 12mo 4 80 a e s . l , , p g ll c

Thi s bo o k i s de signe d fo r classe s p ursui ng the s tudy o f

H h S o o s A ade m e s and C o e e s T h e A st o no m in . r y ig ch l , c i , ll g ’ autho r s l o ng e xpe ri e nce as a dire cto r i n ast ro no mical o b se rv ato rie s and in te achi ng th e subj e ct has give n him u nusual - q ualiﬁcati o n s and advan t age s fo r pre pari ng an ide al te x t boo k . T he n o te wo rthy fe ature which di sti ngui she s thi s fro m o th e r te x t-b o oks o n A st rono my is the practical w ay in which t he subj e cts tre ate d are re en fo rc e d by labo rato ry e xp e rime n ts

an d m e t o ds In t s t he aut o fo o s the r n e t at h . hi h r ll w p i cipl h A stro nomy is pre emi n e ntly a sci e nce o f o bse rvati o n and

o tau t sho uld b e s gh . By pl aci ng mo re i mpo rtan ce o n the physical than o n th e mathe m atical facts o f A stro no my th e autho r has m ade e ve ry p age o f th e b oo k de e ply i n t e re sti ng t o th e stude n t and the

a ade T h e t e atm e n t o f the ane ts and o t e ge ne r l re r . r pl h r he ave n ly bo die s and o f the law o f un ive rsal gravi tatio n is

m nat e T he m a e o us unusua fu e a an d u . dis lly ll , cl r , ill i iv rv l

c o ve rie s o f A st o no m i n e e n t e a s an d the ate st ad an e s r y r c y r , l v c

he s e n e are all e e se n e d in m e t o ds o f t e a n t t . h chi g ci c , r pr

T he ust at o n s are an m o tant fe atu e o f the oo ill r i i p r r b k . Many o f th e m are so i nge n i o usly de vi se d that the y e xpl ai n at

an at a e s o f m e e de s t o n o u d n o t m a e e a a gl ce wh p g r crip i c l k cl r .

i t o /z r Co i es se n t r e a id on rece t e i ce . p , p p , p f p

Ame ric an Bo o k C o mpany

N E W YO RK C I N C I N N AT I C H I C A G O

( S . 1 8 1 )

A De scriptive Ca ta logu e gf High

Sch ool a nd Colle ge Te xt-Books

E issue a com ple te de s cript ive c atalogue of our t e xtb ooks fo r s e co ndary schools and i e i n t ituti n i t at d it h gh r s o s , llus r e w h

’ F r h n authors portrait s . o t e co ve n ie nc e

t e ac e e a at e ct i n are u i d de of h rs , s p r se o s p bl she , vot e d t o t h e ne we st and b e st books in the follo wing branch e s of study

E N G LI S H

M A T H E M A T I C S

H I S T O R Y a n d P O LI T I C A L S C I E N C E

S C I E N C E

M O D E ’R N LA N G U A G E S

A N C I E N T LA N G U A G E S

' P H I LO S O P H Y a n d E D U C A T I O N

If o u are inte e te d in an o f t he e b anc y r s y s r hes , we sh all b e v e ry glad t o se nd yo u o n re que s t t he

a ti n hi o u m a i to se e c at logue s e c o s w ch y y w sh . A th n st fﬁ ce of th e C an ddre ss e e are o omp y .

A M E R IC A N B O O K C O M P A N Y

’ ﬂJ S T e t e a / P u b l ic /J e re of ch o o l a n d C o l l eg e x (

NE W Y O R K C INC INN A T I C H IC A G O

B o s t o n A t l a n t a D a l l a s S a n F ra n c i s c o Important Text= B00ks in Rhetoric

B Y A DA MS S H E RMA N H ILL

B o y l st o n P rofe s s o r of Rh e t o ri c a n d O rat ory i n Ha rv ard U n i ve rs it y

BEGINNINGS OP RHETORIC AND COM POSITION

Thi s boo k i s de signe d primarily t o me e t th e n e e ds of pupils in se co ndary scho o l s w h o are l e arn i ng to e xpre ss th e m se lve s wi th th e pe n at th e sam e t im e it contai ns so m uch i nfo r m ati o n th at i s n e w i n pre se ntati o n and pe rmane n t in value i is e ada to mo e m atu e m nds I s o s that t w ll pte d r r i . t h w th e yo ung wri te r h o w to pre se n t wh at h e has to say i n the be st E ngli sh wi thi n his re ach and in th e fo rm be st adapte d h i u e N o su e me n t t e e se s i s e u e d to s p rpos . ppl wi h x rci r q ir in o nn e t o n t t s o as t he o o i s o m e te i n c c i wi h hi w rk , b k c pl w o und e d e e se s ar n odu i tse lf . N e arly t h r x rci e i tr ce d to aid t h e u l i n the most a t a w a p pi pr c ic l y.

FOUNDATIONS OF RHETORIC

T h e o bj e ct o f thi s boo k is to trai n boys and girl s to say i n tte n an ua e o e t le a and e ffe t e at wri l g g , c rr c ly , c rly , c iv ly , wh a It e s a m n mum o f s a t h e y h ave to s y. giv i i p ce to te ch f In an n icalitie s and a maxi mum o space to e sse nti al s . l guage " si ngularly dire ct an d simpl e it se ts fo rth fundame ntal pri n ci le s of o e t s e a n and a om an e s e a u e t p c rr c p ki g , cc p i ch r l wi h a undant ust at ons and e am e s b ill r i x pl .

PRINCIPLES OF RHETORIC

s o u a o has e e n a m ost o e w tte n an d is Thi p p l r w rk b l wh lly r ri , n a mu n e w m ate a T h e t e atme nt i s a e l rge d by ch ri l . r b se d o n th e pri ncipl e that th e functi o n o f rhe to ric is n ot to pro de th e stude n t o f om os t o n th mate a s fo r t ou t vi c p i i wi ri l h gh , ’ n o r e t to e ad him to u t ate st e for st e s sa e b ut y l c l iv yl yl — k , t o stimulate and trai n his po we rs o f e xpre ssi o n to e nabl e him to sa at h e has to sa in a o ate an ua e y wh y ppr pri l g g .

A M E R IC A N B O O K C O M P A N Y S 8 ( . 7) T e xt -Bo o ks i n Gram m ar fo r A dvan c e d Grade s

BASKERVILL AND SEWELL'S ENGLISH GRAMMAR

90 ce nt s

A n ad an e d amm a fo r use i n H S oo l A ade m v c gr r igh ch , c y , an d C o le e asse s It o m n e s i n a e ma a e de e e a l g cl . c bi r rk bl gr e ar an d o n se state me nt o f the fa ts o f th e an ua e cl c ci c l g g , ase d o n its e uta e use in te atu e t at o na me t o ds b r p bl li r r , wi h r i l h o f te a n an d a n th e sam chi g pplyi g e .

LYTE’ S ADVANC ED GRAMMAR AND CO MPOSITION 75 c e nts

Fo r use inH S o o s N o mal S o o s an d o t e P re igh ch l , r ch l , h r ’ a a o o s B ase d o n th e aut o s o u ar amm a p r t ry Sch o l . h r p p l Gr r ” and C o mpo si ti o n a nd e mb o dyi ng the improve m e n t s sug e ste d su e ssfu ass oom o g by cc l cl r w rk .

MAXWELL’ S ADVANC ED LESSO NS IN ENGLISH

GRAMMAR 60 ce nts

o r use in H e amm a ade s and H o s F igh r Gr r Gr igh Sch o l . It e mbrace s all the the o ry an d p ractice n e ce ssary duri ng the l ast tw o y e ars o f a gram m ar schoo l c o urse o r t hro ugho u t a s oo ou se It is n te n de d to se e st as a tex t-book high ch l c r . i rv ﬁr , , n o n as a boo/e o r e e r en ce a d se d c , f f .

POWELL AND CO NNO LLY'S RATIO NAL GRAM MAR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 60 c e nts

Thi s n e w gramm ar diffe rs wide ly in tre atm e n t an d t e rmi - no lo f ro m o t e t e t o o s in E n s T h e su e t is gy h r x b k gli h . bj c de e o e d o a an d e e o n t is m ade s m e and a e . v l p l gic lly , v ry p—i i pl cl r T he practica l side o f th—e study th e c o rre ct use o f language i n s e e and i t n is e s e a e m as ze d p ch wr i g p ci lly ph i .

Co i es re n t r e a id on r ecei t o tae r i ce p , p p , p f p .

Ame rican Bo o k C o mpany N EW YO RK C I N C I N N AT I C H I C AG O

’ White s Syste m of Pe dagogy

MERSON E W By E . HITE . A . M LL. D.

3 33 3 3 3 3 3 3 33 3

T H E A R T O F T E A C H IN G

l o th 2 1 a e s C , 3 p g P ri c e ,

Thi s n e w wo rk in P e dago gy is a sci e n tiﬁc and prac tical t a c/zi n r t n at o f e as a n a I e se n i n a u co side r i n o g . t pr ts l cid man ne the fundame nta n e s o f t e a n and t e n r l pri cipl chi g , h a e s t e m i n e n e an d o m e e n s e m e t o ds T h e ppli h g ric c pr h iv h . autho r co nside rs m o st he lpfully the v ari ous pro bl e ms co nne cte d t h te a n n lud n o a nst u t o n oo stud c ass wi chi g , i c i g r l i r c i , b k y , l nst u t o n and mana e me nt e am nat ons omot on o f i r c i g , x i i , pr i

u i s e tc. p p l ,

E LE ME NTS O F P E DA G O G Y

C l o t h , 33 6 p a ge s P ri c e ,

’ s t e at se unan mous e d t o f th e te a e s ro Thi r i , by i v r ic ch r p e ssio n has e e n a e te d as the e ad n standa d aut o t f , b cc p l i g r h ri y o n th e su e t F o m its st u at o n it has me t t the bj c . r ﬁr p blic i wi h e ate st fa o and its de u at o n e e s n e has e e n gr v r , wi circ l i v r i c b e no me na s o u a t is d e t att uta e to the ph l . Thi p p l ri y ir c ly rib bl intrinsic val ue and me rit of the boo k itse lf and the high e utat on o f its aut o r p i h r .

S C H O O L MA NA G E ME NT

C l o t h , 3 2 0 p a ge s P ri c e ,

T he ﬁ rst part o f thi s wo rk is de vote d to schoo l o rgan i zati o n

nd d s n e and the se o nd a t to mo a t a n n . P n a i cipli , c p r r l r i i g ri ciple s are cle arly state d and aptly illustrate d by e x ampl e s ’ d awn ar e f o m the aut o s o w n de e e e n e T he r l g ly r h r wi xp ri c . ne e ss t fo r m o a t a n n i n the m n ds o f m an c i y r l r i i g, which , i y , a so n o e s e o us nst u t on ma e the se o nd a t l i v lv r ligi i r c i , will k c p r a te at u e of thi s book a we lco me co ntributi on to pe dagogic l li r r .

333333333333

A M E R IC A N B O O K C O M P A N Y NE W Y O R K C INC INNA T I C H IC A G O

S 2 0 0 ( . ) HIS TORIES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ESSENTIALS IN ANCIENT HISTORY

r 528 Pa P Half Leathe , ges. rice,

E P By ARTH UR MAY R WOLFSON , h .D.

11 / n H st o r D e V i tt Cl i n t on H i i S e nool N e w Yo r k Ci t A ss i s t a n t i i y , g , y

In Consultation w ith

ALBERT BUSH N ELL H ART , LL.D.

r o ess o r o H i sto r H a r va r d Un i ve r s i t P f f y , y

H IS co nve n i e nt m anual pre se n ts th e e sse ntial s in anci e nt hi sto ry as a uni t in a m anne r bo th co mpre h e nsibl e and

ﬁ rst- e a stude nts in se o nda S c hoo s It is i nte re sti ng to y r c ry l . pre pared o n th e pl an re co m me nde d by th e C o mmi tte e o f

Se e n and at th e sam e t me m e e ts e e e u e m e nt o f the v , i v ry r q ir

f he State o f N e w Yo It o m ne s in o n e Re ge n ts o t rk . c bi vo lume Gre e k an d R om an hi sto ry with that o f th e E aste rn n at o ns and a s mo re atte n t o n to zat on t an to me e i , p y i civili i h r

na de e o me nt co nstitut i o l v l p .

T he a a ra e ad n s are e n in the m a ns t us p r g ph h i g giv rgi , h

uo us and e as to e ad A t the e nd o f maki ng the te xt co nti n y r . e a a te are sts o f to s fo r fu t e e se a b ibli ch ch p r li pic r h r r rch , o ra hie s o f a a e e ad n and e fe e n e s to o t an e nt g p p r ll l r i g , r r c b h ci an n a s A s e a fe atu e is th e n o f a d m ode r utho ri ti e . p ci l r givi g

e f st o f se e te d o o s n o t e e e d n 2 i n ost and bri li l c b k , xc i g $ 5 c , s a e f ar T he num e ro us m a s s ow o n uit bl or a scho o l libr y . p h ly the a e s me nt on e d in th e t e t t us a o d n o nfus o n f om pl c i x , h v i i g c i r t o mu d a T he l ustrat ons a t ou att ra t e a e o e t . ch il i l i , l h gh c iv , h v be e n cho se n primarily wi th th e purpose o f accurate ly e xplai n i n the e g t x t .

M BOOK C M P ub l i s h e r s A ERICAN O PANY, ’ B U E H LE R S P ractical Ex e rci s e s i n Engl is h 3 0 c e nts

LL- A DRI B OO K fo r gr am m ar sc h o o l s an d high s o o s o n t ain in a a e n u m e o f e e i se s t o ch l , c g l rg b r x rc e e o ut e st e n H s m b w o rk d b y t h u d t . e i ade t o ch o o se b e t we e n t h e co rre ct an d i n c o rre ct fo rm s o f e e ssi o n an d t o e ain w h e h as do n e so B h . xpr , xpl y y t h i s m e an s h e a cqu i re s t h e h ab it o f av o i din g m is t a k e s e r at h e r t h an t h at o f co rre ctin g t h m .

’ B UTLER S Sch o o l English 7 5 ce nts

B R IE F o n i se an d t o o u a i a m an a t u . , g y A , c c h r hl pr c c l l Th e b o o k i s b ase d o n t h e fo ll o w in g pl an fo r t e a chin g E n gli s h : (1 ) Th e st u dy an d di s cu ssi o n o f s e l e ct i on s fro m st an da rd E n glis h au t h o rs ; (2) c on st an t p r a ct i ce i n co m p o sit i o n ; (3) t h e st u dv o f ’ rh e t o ri c fo r t h e p u rp o se o f cu l tiv at in g t h e p u pi l s n n m o i n i s o n n p o w e r o f crit i ci si g a d i pr v g h w writi g .

’ MAXWELLand S MIT H S Writi ng i n Engl is h 7 5 ce nts

B OOK fo r u e am m a asse s an d i s o o s A pp r gr r cl h gh ch l , whi ch aim s t o t e ach t h e co rre ct wri t i n g o f E n g i s It i s ase d o n t h e e st a is e d in i e o f l h . b bl h pr c pl n f e t h e a t s E n t i e o m o t e a chi g ro m t h e W h o l t o p r . r c p sit i o n s are t a e n u st fo o w e d b a a a s t e n k p ﬁr , ll y p r gr ph , h s Mo de s o f se n t e n e o n st u t i o n an d n a o d . c c r c , , ﬁ ll y , w r l o o d o m o sit i o n fo m a o m i n e n t fe at u e an d i v e g c p r pr r , g n t e e st an d a e t o t e o i r v l u h w rk .

A ME R IC A N B O O K C O MPA N Y

" s o A