POEMS

by

ERNEST RHYS

THE CITY OF SARRAS "I require you that ye bury me not in this country, but as soon as I am dead put me in a boat at the next haven, . . . and as soon as ye three come to the city of Sarras, there to achieve the Holy Grail, . . . there bury me in the spiritual place." I OH, have you not heard of Sir Galahad,     Sir Bors and Sir Percival,-- How they came to the Castle of Carbonek,--     On the Quest of the Sancgreal? II They sate at King Pelles' table,--     And they saw a Spear that bled Three drops of blood most marvellous,--     And a marvellous sweet voice said,-- III "Sir Galahad,--Sir Galahad!     Sir Bors, and Sir Percival!"-- And all three saw a shining form     By the cup of the Sancgreal. IV "This is Joseph of Arimathea,"     It said, "The which had grace; Which was saved in the City of Sarras     In the Spiritual Place!" V They grew adread to see the form     Of one dead, three hundred year! But Joseph said, "A man like you,     Look on me,--have no fear!" VI Then they saw two angels stand there,     Wax candles in their hand: And Joseph of Arimathea     Between that twain did stand. VII "Now," said he, "servants of Jesu Christ     All three, you shall be fed Afore this table with meats, more sweet     Than any knight ate," he said: But when he had said it, he vanished away,     And the greater grew their dread. VIII Then came One from the Holy Grail,--     They saw his blood; they knew the Light! My knights, he said, my true children:     You shall taste of the Grail this night. IX Straightway Sir Galahad kneeled down,--     Sir Bors, and Sir Percival: And they humbly received their Saviour     And partook of the Sancgreal. X Too sweet for earth its savour was;--     Too marvellous to be told Was the Mystery, and beyond man's sight     What the three knights saw unroll'd. XI This night, said he, you have seen much:     But after Night, the Day; And here in the realm of Logris     The Sancgreal cannot stay. XII You have seen this night your souls' desire;     But there waits a Mystery More strange, my knights, than you can think     Till to Sarras you sail the sea,-- XIII Till you come where Joseph of Arimathea     Stood with me, face to face;-- Till you stand in the City of Sarras,     In the Spiritual Place.

THE COMING OF OLWEN FROM 'KILHWCH AND OLWEN,' IN THE MABINOGION The message was sent, and the maiden came; Her pale form wreathed in a robe of flame. About her neck was a samite fold, With emerald and ruby and ruddy gold. More yellow her hair than the flower of the broom: Her skin more white than the white sea-foam. Far fairer her hands and her fingers were Than the wind-flowers trained by the wood water. More bright than the sparhawk's eye, her glance,-- Or the spray of the meadow-fountain's dance. Her bosom was more snowy white Than the swan that swims in the clear sunlight. And never roses were seen so red As her parting lips that their petals spread. Where'er on the forest floor she stept, Beneath her feet four trefoils leapt. The forest flowers made a name: They murmured OLWEN and she came. Who sees her once cross the forest floor, Must follow pale Olwen for evermore.

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