Arthurian Miscellany: Camelford, by Douglas B. W. Sladan [1885]

An Arthurian Miscellany Camelford--Camelot I. Not Camelot the towered--the goodly town Upon the shining rive, whither passed The Lady of Shalott, when fallen at last A victim to her spell, slow-wafted down! Not Camelot the towered, the glittering crown Of all King Arthur's cities! Yet thou hast Thy legend of the King--how Modred massed His traitor legions, where the waters brown Run neath the Bridge of Slaughter, how the King, With Launcelot dishonoured, Tristram slain And half of his Round-table following Dead or apostate--triumphed; then was ta'en; Stricken to death, by bold Sir Bedivere To Dozmary and passed upon the mere. Camelford--Slaughter Bridge II. In the soft prelude of an August night We sallied forth from Camelford in quest Of where his last great battle in the west Brought death to Athur. Grey the gloaming light Ere we were in the valley of the fight, A spot by Nature framed for fierce contest, With ridge commanding ridge, and crest on crest, On either side a little river, bright With waving sedge and darting trout. The bridge Was wreathed with blackhaired spleenwort and wild flowers, And the rank grass beneath the lowest bridge Guarded a stone, in characters not ours, Claimed by the country-folk with wondering eyes To tell that Arthur underneath it lies.