Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ARTHURIAN SONGS: 3. SARRAS, by RACHEL ANNAND TAYLOR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ARTHURIAN SONGS: 3. SARRAS, by                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Far in the town of sarras
Last Line: Oh! Home to guenevere.
Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Knights & Knighthood; Love


"But yet hast thou not seen it [the Grail] openly as thou shalt see it in
the city of Sarras, in the Spiritual Place."
Morte d'Arthur.

FAR in the Town of Sarras,
Red-rose the gloamings fall,
For in her heart of wonder
Flames the Sangréal.

The gleaming fosses ring her,
Haut dreams her turrets are.
She riseth o'er the desert
Like the great Magian Star.

Through the o'er-castled portals
The knights ride out and in;
Their tired sweet heads all drooping,
They pray away their sin.

Upon the carven causeway
Pass damozels in vair
And samite dropped with flamelets,
Crowned on their ashen hair.

Into the Town of Sarras,
Most delicate and sad,
Like a measure of rare music
Came Lord Galahad.

The Crown of Gold he beareth,
A dream-king exquisite,
Till the fair Lord of Heaven
Yet closer needs his knight.

Dreams of the Town of Sarras,
Ye ever give me dole,
With dome and steeple staining
Horizons of my soul!

But where the Grail-Knight entered,
Ah! me! I enter not,
For hard my spirit follows
The ways of Launcelot.

By ruined cross and chapel
I lie in shameful trance.
Within, the High Masque burneth,
The Saving Cup, the Lance.—

Home to the Bower of Roses,
The viols calling clear,
To Love's most perfect Lover!
Oh! Home to Guenevere.





Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net