My sister and I have been loyal followers of BBC's series Merlin for a while. When the show ended recently with the tragic death of King Arthur, we were stunned and sad. I really like the metaphor Arthur was and is, symbolizing how Jesus was and is and will come again to save the world, as it was told Arthur would come again to deliver Albion.
So, here is a good-bye poem to the Once and Future King of Camelot....
Oh, Arthur Pendragon,
The Once and Future King,
Of your tragic end
Shall the minstrels sing.
The untimely death
Of a legend among men,
Told for generations
Til you return again
From the lake of Avalon
In Albion's time of need,
Ascend your throne in Camelot,
The people shall be freed.
At the hands of Morded
Fell you mournfully;
You tried to defy fate
And prophecy took you scornfully.
And Merlin tried to stop
The cruel toll of destiny,
At last he slew Morgana,
But fate is like a tree:
Life ever growing toward the sky,
The branches are decisions,
Spreading in many differing ways,
Yet only in one direction.
No matter what we do,
Or avoid or say in life,
In the end you meet Death,
Cutting you from us like a knife.
None can escape nature,
And, Arthur, you died a hero.
Fighting for your people,
Following a path so narrow.
You left a great legacy,
And your leave was not in vain:
Darkness was struck down,
You were Evil's bane.
Guinevere your queen
Shall weep endlessly for you,
But she is strong and good
And wisely will she rule.
Friends you left behind,
As well as faithful knights.
Yet poor Sir Gwaine followed you
To the land of mansions white.
You will be remembered,
Though not as you were in Camlin.
Rather as a young king
Who would always fight and win,
As the foolish young prince
Who grew into a wise man,
Would follow his heart,
And defend his land.
So as the river carries you
Out of reach and sight,
Know you live on in our hearts...
Farewell, Arthur, noblest of knights.
Copyright Hannah Scarlett 2012
