The Fall of Arthur

Our language now has become quick-moving (in syllables), and may be very supple and nimble, but is rather thin in sound and in sense too often diffuse and vague. the language of our forefathers, especially in verse, was slow, not very nimble, but very sonorous, and was intensely packed and concentrated - or could be in a good poet.

Wild rode the wind though the West country. Banners were blowing, black was the raven they bore as blazon. Blaring of trumpets, neighing of horses, gnashing of armour, in the hoar hollows of the hills echoed . Mordred was marching; messengers speeding northward and eastward the news bearing through the land of Logres. Lords and chieftains to his side he summoned swift to hasten their tryst keeping, true to Mordred, faithful in falsehood, foes of Arthur, lovers of treason and freebooters of Erin and Alban, and East-Sassoin, of Almain and Angel and the isles of mist.

Guinevere grew grey in the grey shadow At all things losing who at all things grasped

...Our love endureth, Though in twain we rent the Round Table's Freedom and fellowship, fiercely striving. Swift swords we drew Against sworn brethren, Ere the queen was taken...

There Lancelot, low and softly to himself singing, the sun greeted, 215 life from darkness lifted shining in the dome of heaven by death exalted. Ever times would change and tides alter, and o’er hills of morning hope come striding to awake the weary, while the world lasted.