Gram, Durendal, Joyeuse, Excalibur.
His old wars rove the verses
that are the only memory, sewn through
the world in the North and in the South.
the world in the North and in the South.
In him persists the virile
right hand’s contention, now dust and
nothing,
in iron or bronze, the lunge
that pricked the blood of Adam the first
day.
These Gestes have listed distant
swords that wielded death
to kings and serpents. Other luck
to kings and serpents. Other luck
of swords—to be hung on walls.
Let me, sword, use your art—
I, who have not deserved to handle you.
