(i)
"The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfils Himself in many ways ...",
"...More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of."
are words dear to our hearts, specially to those familiar with Tennyson's poem "Morte d'Arthur".
(ii)
Dying King Arthur speaks to the last existing knight of the Round Table Sir Beldivere, from the barge that "Moved from the brink, like some full-breasted swan."
Before embracing death, King Arthur's last wish and his last command to the Knight is to hurl his sword Excalibur into the waters.
As Beldivere drew forth and lifted the brand Excalibur, against the winter moon, the hilt sparkled bright , and
" . ..all the haft twinkled with diamond sparks,
Myriads of topaz-lights, and jacinth work
Of subtlest jewellery. He gazed so long
That both his eyes were dazzled, as he stood,"
The attraction was so strong that he yielded twice to the temptation "to leave Excalibur conceal'd".
(iii)
Recently, a Time Machine as it were, reeled me more than half a century back into a crowded classroom in my College. I Year, Part II English. Always a front bencher, I was sitting with open mouth, admiring the Sister who was at her histrionics describing Excalibur and its mysterious disappearance into the deep waters. The umbrella that was part of that nun turned into King Arthur's sword. The colourful handle started sparking and twinkling with its "subtlest jewellery". Now, Sister's eyes started dazzling, creating magical moments for students like me. Along with Sir Bedivere, we
"heard the water lapping on the crag,
And the long ripple washing in the reeds."
(iv)
It wasn't a smart classroom; nor was there the luxury of the Internet. Whatever I learnt to do with audios and videos in later years, my teacher did more than 50 years ago, more effectively and with ease. Till now, if Tennyson's poem lends endless enjoyment and enchantment, I owe it to my teacher - Rev. Sr. Brenda.
A good teacher, no doubt, has magic in her, and her memories are fondly relished.
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