Page:Collected poems Robinson, Edwin Arlington.djvu/331

 I know a tavern that will take us in; And on the morrow I shall follow you Until I die for you. And when I die. . ."— "Well, Dagonet, the King is listening."— And Dagonet answered, hearing in the words Of Merlin a grave humor and a sound Of graver pity, "I shall die a fool." He heard what might have been a father's laugh, Faintly behind him ; and the living weight Of Merlin's hand was lifted. They arose, And, saying nothing, found a groping way Down through the gloom together. Fiercer now, The wind was like a flying animal That beat the two of them incessantly With icy wings, and bit them as they went. The rock above them was an empty place Where neither seer nor fool should view again The stricken city. Colder blew the wind Across the world, and on it heavier lay The shadow and the burden of the night; And there was darkness over Camelot.