
The Wild Knight and Other Poems is a collection of poems by G.K. Chesterton published in 1900. The title poem, "The Wild Knight," tells the story of a knight who goes on a quest to find the Holy Grail but ends up losing his way and becoming lost in the wilderness. Other poems in the collection include "The Rolling English Road" and "The Song of Quoodle."
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Drama, Religious · 4,843 words
The wasting thistle whitens on my crest, The barren grasses blow upon my spear, A green, pale pennon: blazon of wild faith And love of fruitless things: yea, of my love, Among the golden loves of all the knights, Alone: most hopeless, sweet, and blasphemous, The love of God: I hear the crumbling creeds Like cliffs washed down by water, change, and pass; I hear a noise of words, age after age, A new cold wind that blows across the plains, And all the shrines stand empty; and to me All these are nothing: priests and schools may doubt Who never have believed; but I have loved. Ah friends, I know it passing well, the love Wherewith I love; it shall not bring to me Return or hire or any pleasant thing -- Ay, I have tried it: Ay, I know its roots. Earthquake and plague have burst on it in vain And rolled back shattered -- Babbling neophytes! Blind, startled fools -- think you I know it not? Think you to teach me? Know I not His ways? Strange-visaged blunders, mystic cruelties. All! all! I know Him, for I love Him. Go!
The Wild Knight and other Poems: the Wild Knight is listed on Textopian as a novel by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1900 CE.
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poetry · medieval · knighthood · chivalry · fantasy · adventure · heroism · mythology · imagination · narrative · symbolism · romance