How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #10
‘But now farewell. I am going a long way
With these thou seest—if indeed I go—
For all my mind is clouded with a doubt—
To the island-valley of Avilion;
Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies
Deep-meadow’d, happy, fair with orchard lawns
And bowery hollows crown’d with summer sea,
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound.’
(“Passing of Arthur,” 424-432)
Arthur tells Bedivere that he’s going with the three mysterious women on the barge to the Island of Avilion. It’s clearly a supernatural place, since the weather is eerily perfect and the landscape perfectly beautiful. Arthur says he will be healed of his death-wound there, but not necessarily that he will return. With this ending, the poem leaves open the question of whether Arthur was a human or an immortal child of fairies. His journey to Avilion may be a journey home or a courtesy afforded him by these three women who have promised to “help him at his need.”