Explanation:

I perish by this people which I made, —

Tho’ Merlin swore that I should come again

To rule once more – but let what will be, be,

I am so deeply smitten thro’ the helm

That without help I cannot last till morn.

Answer: These remarkable and conspicuous lines have been quoted from the well-known narrative poem, “Morte D’Arthur” written by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) who is considered to be the dazzling star in the Victorian Period. Here King Arthur expresses disappointment and anger against his own people who revolted against him.

In the battle of Lyonnesse, King Arthur is seriously wounded. He is carried to a broken chapel. His condition is very miserable and helpless. He himself thinks that he is dying. At his dying hour, he is considering the cause of his downfall. Once he was a mighty king. He acted as a chairman over the. Round Table of the knights. His influence was great and spread to far-off lands. He ruled his country wisely. He made the people civilized gradually. But it is the irony of his fate that the same people now betrayed him. His knights who had once sworn to be loyal to him betrayed him now. Arthur was shocked at thinking of such treachery or faithlessness. At the same time, he remembers the prophecy of Merlin, a great magician. Merlin said that Arthur would never die. He would come again to rule over the country once more. But now he is going to die very soon. He is deeply wounded on his head. His wound is very serious. It seems that he cannot live till morning. The poet has used the reference of the prophecy of Merlin allegorically. King Arthur stands for the pure Christian soul. It is believed that he is defeated for the time being. But he will never die.

In fact, we find here a striking allegorical significance. It means that King Arthur is physically dead. But he is spiritually alive. His spirit will last forever.