Bathed in a world of blood, his limbs lay tense

A moment, then grew limp, relaxed in death.

And bending o'er him, from the brow beneath,

The King unlaced the helm. When dark, uncasqued,

The knight's slow eyelids opened, Arthur asked:

"Say, ere thou diest, whence and who thou art!

What king, what court is thine? And from what part

Of Britain dost thou come? Speak!—for, methinks,

I have beheld thee—where? Some memory links

Me strangely with thy face, thy eyes ... thou art—