{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/arthur/art049.htm","path":"neu/arthur/art049.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/arthur/art049.htm","text":"With the knights Peredur and Gawain he sits, in a chapel in Lyonesse, speaking while the dawn slowly reddens on the sea, gray-seen through the open door. I Cast on sleep there came to me Three great angels, o'er the sea Moaning near the priory: Cloudy clad in awful white, Each one's face, a lucid light, Rayed and blossomed out of night.\nII\nIn my sleep I saw them rest, Each, a long hand on her breast, Like the new-moon in the west: And their hair like sunset rolled Down their shoulders, burning cold, An insufferable gold.\nIII\nFlaming round each high brow bent Fourfold starry gold, that sent Light before them as they went: 'Neath their burning crowns their eyes Shone like awful stars the skies Rock in shattered storm that flies.\nIV\nDark their eyes were, lurid dark; And within their eyes a spark Like the opal's burned: my sark Seemed to shrivel 'neath their gaze; As, with marvel and amaze, All my soul it seemed to raise.\nV\nAnd I saw their mouths were fire, Ruby-red as the desire Of the Sanc Graal: fair and dire Were their lips, whereon the kiss Of all Heaven lay; the bliss Of all happiness that is.\nVI\nCalm as Beauty lying dead, Tapers lit at feet and head, Were they, round whom prayers seemed said: Fragrant as that woman who, Born of blossoms and of dew And of magic, wedded Llew.\nVII\nAnd the first one said to me:-- \"Thou has slept thus holily While seven sands ran shadowy; Earth hath served thee like a slave, Serving us who found thee brave, Pure of life and great to save:\nVIII\n\"Know!\"--She touched my brow: a pain As of arrows pierced my brain: Ceased: and earth, both sea and plain, Vanished: and I stood where thought Stands, and worship, spirit-fraught, Watching how the heavens are wrought.\nIX\nThen the second said to me: \"Thou hast come all sinlessly Thro' life's sin-enveloped sea: Know the things thou hast not seen: Filling all the soul with sheen; Meaning more than earth may mean:\nX\n\"See!\"--Her voice sang like a lyre, Comprehending all desire In its gamut's throbbing fire:-- And my inner eyelids,--which Dimmed clairvoyance,--raised: and rich, As one chord's vibrating pitch,\nXI\nGrew my soul with light: that saw The embodiment of awe, Love, divinity, and law, Orbed and e\u00f6ned: and the power, Circumstance, like some vast flower; From which time fell, hour on hour.\nXII\n'Neath the third one's mighty will All my soul lay very still, Feeling all its being thrill As she, smiling, said to me: \"Thou dost know, and thou canst see: What thou art arise and be!\"\nXIII\nTo my lips her lips she pressed; And my new-born soul, thrice-blessed, Clasped her radiance and caressed: Mounted and, in glory clad, Soared with them who chorused glad: \"Christ awaits thee, Galahad!\"","title":"Arthurian Miscellany: The Dream of Sir Galahad, by Madiso...","type":"page"}