Arthurian Miscellania

Thereat the dwarf peer'd curiously up Into his master's face, and seeing naught Unusual in its kingly grace, had turn'd, But turning, caught the echo of a sigh, And knew his arrow reach'd King Arthur's heart. Thereafter fell a silence on the twain And Arthur mus'd as sadly as before On hopes that had been his in long-past days When he had plann'd the healing of the world. Slow past a morning hour until at last A momentary vagrant breeze, that thro' The high, unlatticed, open window swept, Tost aimlessly an early wither'd leaf Into the kingly lap.