Long time lay Bedivere betwixt life and death,

Like a torn traveller on a stormy height

’Twixt one wind and another: till his breath

Came easier, and he prospered. Then did sleep

Bathe him in soothing waters, soft and deep,

And left him whole, at breaking of the light,

So he beheld the old man, and desired

That he would tell of whom he was, and whence.

[pg 14]

Whereat once more the ancient eyes were fired: