Merlin by Edwin Arlington Robinson
Gawaine sits alone at Merlin's Rock above Camelot, brooding on rumors that Merlin has reappeared out of Brittany, beardless and seemingly youthful, after a long absence. He recalls a past conversation in which Merlin told him that he himself would rather not be king, and warned Gawaine that he, too, might one day hold the world in his hands without understanding what he held. Gawaine, fearing he might say too much to Lancelot about Merlin's return, has withdrawn to think instead of speaking. Sir Dagonet, Arthur's fool, finds him there and teases him, asking what he is straining to see in the distant west — the lady Vivian pursued by demons, or a glimpse of the Grail. Gawaine answers that he looks for knowledge of what is to come, though he sees nothing but the town and a few clouds. Dagonet warns him that seeing only the ordinary is itself a kind of madness. Gawaine insists he takes no offense at Dagonet's foolery, and reflects that making men laugh and forget themselves is no small thing. He mentions that men say Merlin's beard is gone, and that he now shines with what looks like eternal youth and a crown of peace. Dagonet doubts the "peace," warning that Merlin returns for neither peace nor sudden war, and that time will eventually mow down all such peace like clover. Dagonet recounts what is commonly known: Merlin once knew all that God would let him know, until he met the lady Vivian. Merlin had told the King that he would be buried alive in Brittany and that the King would never see his face again, then sailed to Vivian in Broceliande. There she crowns him with flowers, feeds him fine foods and wines, surrounds him with books of every kind of knowledge, and has musicians play flutes, hautboys, drums, and viols while she sings to him until he forgets Camelot entirely. Dagonet calls this Merlin's living burial in Broceliande, the price of too much wisdom given over to love, noting that Merlin has not aged despite the years. Gawaine retorts that if this is burial, he would wish to be "buried" the same way before he dies. Dagonet warns Gawaine that a similar fate could befall him if his own curiosity delves too far into forbidden mysteries, and if he ever values a woman enough to "stake his wisdom" for her as Merlin did for Vivian. He bids Gawaine farewell and departs into the trees. Left alone, Gawaine wonders uneasily whether he or the fool is the true fool, since Dagonet, through his license to jest, seems to stand closer to the King's confidence and to know more — perhaps even about Lancelot — than Gawaine does himself. Gawaine senses a cloud gathering over Camelot larger than anything visible in the sky, and concludes that Merlin would not have left Vivian and Broceliande unless something significant were stirring. Descending toward the city, he overhears a great voice within the walls declaring that "half the world's half crazy," and recognizes the speaker's sentiment as his own, noting his agreement with Lamorak before passing on, still uneasy about the day.
By Edwin Arlington Robinson · First published 1917 · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Arthurian Literature, Dramatic Poetry · 2,221 words
First lines
Merlin I
"GAWAINE, GAWAINE, what look ye for to see, / So far beyond the faint edge of the world?
Similar titles
- Merlin Vii by Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Merlin V by Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Lancelot Iv by Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Merlin Vi by Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Merlin Iii by Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Merlin Ii by Edwin Arlington Robinson
Genres
- Narrative Poetry — The work tells an unfolding story through sustained verse, using dialogue, characterization, setting, and ominous plot development around Merlin's return to Camelot.
- Arthurian Literature — It is set in the world of King Arthur and Camelot and centers on established Arthurian figures including Merlin, Gawaine, Dagonet, Lancelot, Vivian, and the Grail.
- Dramatic Poetry — The passage is structured predominantly as extended spoken exchanges between characters, with theatrical entrances, exits, gestures, and psychologically charged dialogue rendered in verse.
- Verse Drama — Its scene-like construction, dialogue-driven action, and use of poetic language place it within the tradition of drama written in verse, even though it is also read as a poem.
Tags
Arthurian legend · narrative poetry · verse drama · modernist literature · tragic themes · mythological retelling · medievalism · magic · prophecy · fate · courtly society · psychological conflict
What this Textopian page supports
Merlin is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edwin Arlington Robinson, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Narrative Poetry, Arthurian Literature, Dramatic Poetry, Verse Drama, Legendary Fantasy
- Length: 2,221 words
- Structure: 1 section, 156 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Merlin by Edwin Arlington Robinson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph