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Edwin Muir’s poem “Merlin” is not divided up into stanzas, but still has three very distinct sections which each ask a question. The question is essentially the same one, just phrased in three different ways. The author asks Merlin, who is supposed to know the future, if there will ever be a utopian society, like Camelot or Eden. The author’s tone in the poem is longing and sad. The author uses diction, allusion and irony to create this tone. In the first two lines, the author addresses Merlin, who is “deep on the diamond of the day”. This diamond is the perfection of past times, like Camelot, and Merlin is within those times. The first question that is asked is if the original sin of Adam will ever be righted, and if man’s past sins can be overcome. The author asks if a singer,