The Ring and the Grail

See the cross within the ring,
The Holy Grail, the Dew-cup, the sovereign seal;
The Pendragon sups from the chalice of days,
Anointed to die in his time.
The blood of the succession
Glows in the Grail Queen’s womb.
Who will quest for the ring of justice,
And keep the throne’s foundations square?
Kings of Sumeria and pharaohs of Egypt,
Kings of Israel and Persia and afar,
Merovingians and Britons,
He who would misuse the Ring’s power
Will be himself destroyed.
To the Fisher King the faithful
Bring gold, frankincense and myrrh;
Drink the blood from the chalice,
Molten starfire on the tongue.

The Shining Ones return, the mortal angels,
Fairies and elves of the human way,
Winged dragons of the heart.
The king rides in his scaled armour,
Bearing the serpent’s blazon,
Beneath his swan-feather cloak.
The lily’s nectar sustains him;
And the Ladies of the Fountain sing his name.

The lost bride wanders in the wilderness,
The guardian plummets from the lightning-struck tower;
Where then is the underground stream
Whose waters you hear in dreams?
Black bishop, raise your hallowed robe,
Show the world what you conceal.

Sister Mary, Scarlet Woman,
Bless me with the scallop shell;
I will meet you beside the quiet pool.
Dragon Queen, mistress of the deep,
I ,the keeper of the nine rings,
Light my fire from your torch.
Twin serpents coil heavenward
Around the winged staff;
Thus the Swan, commanding the skies!
The bride anoints the groom,
And crowns him king and god.


The Serpent Lady waits in the wildwood,
Among the broom and willow;
The green stag runs among the trees;
The lily and the rose are bound.
Ah, food of the gods, from the womb of the black goddess,
First matter of the alchemists,
Music of the matrix,
Seasons, periods and cycles!
Out of lunar darkness comes the voice,
Storm of white light, purest gold,
And through the mind marches
A torchlight procession of thoughts.