MERLIN
Today as on the day I saw you first,
All green, all wonderful" . . . He tore a leaf
To pieces with a melancholy care
That made her smile. "Why pause at 'wonderful' ?
You've hardly been yourself since you came back
From Camelot, where that unpleasant King
Said things that you have never said to me."
He looked upon her with a worn reproach:
"The King said nothing that I keep from you."
"What is it then?" she asked, imploringly;
"You man of moods and miracles, what is it?"
He shook his head and tore another leaf:
"There is no need of asking what it is;
Whatever you or I may choose to name it,
The name of it is Fate, who played with me
And gave me eyes to read of the unwritten
More lines than I have read. I see no more
Today than yesterday, but I remember.
My ways are not the ways of other men;
My memories go forward. It was you
Who said that we were not in tune with Time;
It was not I who said it." "But you knew it;
What matter then who said it?" "It was you
Who said that Merlin was your punishment
For being in tune with him and not with Time-
With Time or with the world; and it was you
Who said you were alone, even here with Merlin;
It was not I who said it. It is I
Who tell you now my inmost thoughts." He laughed
As if at hidden pain around his heart,
But there was not much laughing in his eyes.
They walked, and for a season they were silent:
"I shall know what you mean by that," she said,
"When you have told me. Here's an oak you like,
And here's a place that fits me wondrous well
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