Page:Collected poems Robinson, Edwin Arlington.djvu/326

 He bowed, and pressed his eyes : "Now by my soul, I have seen this before all black and red Like that like that like Vivian black and red; Like Vivian, when her eyes looked into mine Across the cups of gold. A flute was playing Then all was black and red." Another smile Crept over the wan face of Dagonet, Who shivered in his turn. "The torch of woman," He muttered, "and the light that Galahad found, Will some day save us all, as they saved Merlin. Forgive my shivering wits, but I am cold, And it will soon be dark. Will you go down With me to see the King, or will you not? If not, I go tomorrow to the shepherds. The world is mad, and I'm a groping thought Of your eternal will; the world and I Are strangers, and I'll have no more of it Except you go with me to see the King." "No, Dagonet, you cannot leave me now," Said Merlin, sadly. "You and I are old; And, as you say, we fear no man. God knows I would not have the love that once you had For me be fear of me, for I am past All fearing now. But Fate may send a fly Sometimes, and he may sting us to the grave. So driven to test our faith in what we see. Are you, now I am coming to an end, As Arthur's days are coming to an end, To sting me like a fly? I do not ask Of you to say that you see what I see, Where you see nothing; nor do I require Of any man more vision than is his;