Such as should strengthen and encourage him

To make fair start, and face those many moons

Of multiform vicissitude with pluck,

Good hope and patient pertinacity.

And when men sought the Modern MERLIN's ear

And asked him what these matters might portend,

The shining angel, and the naked Child

Descending in the glory of the seas,

He laughed, as is his wont, and answered them

In riddling triplets of old time, and said: