Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h1><small><small>THE</small></small><br/><br/> DEFENCE OF GUENEVERE<br/><br/> <small>AND OTHER POEMS</small></h1> <p class="center"><b>BY</b></p> <h2>WILLIAM MORRIS</h2> <p class="head3">Reprinted from the Kelmscott Press Edition<br/> as revised by the Author</p> <p class="head1">LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.<br/> <small>39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON<br/> NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA<br/> 1908</small></p> <p class="center"><small>All rights reserved</small></p> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div class="cpoem25"> <i>First Edition, <span class="smcap">Bell &amp; Daldy</span>, 1858<br/> Reprinted, 1875, for <span class="smcap">Ellis &amp; White</span>, and<br/> Subsequently for <span class="smcap">Reeves &amp; Turner</span><br/> Kelmscott Press Edition (revised by the Author), 1892<br/> Transferred to <span class="smcap">Longmans, Green, &amp; Co.</span>, 1896<br/> New Edition corrected by Kelmscott Press Edition, May 1900<br/> Reprinted January 1908</i></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</SPAN></span></p> <h2>CONTENTS</h2> <div class='center'> <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary=""> <tr><td class="td2" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Defence of Guenevere</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_1">1</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">King Arthur's Tomb</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_19">19</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Sir Galahad, a Christmas Mystery</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_43">43</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Chapel in Lyoness</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_57">57</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Sir Peter Harpdon's End</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_65">65</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Rapunzel</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_111">111</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Concerning Geffray Teste Noire</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_135">135</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">A Good Knight in Prison</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_148">148</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Old Love</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_155">155</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Gilliflower of Gold</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_159">159</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Shameful Death</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_163">163</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Eve of Crecy</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_166">166</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Judgment of God</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_169">169</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Little Tower</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_174">174</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Sailing of the Sword</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_178">178</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Spell-Bound</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_182">182</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Wind</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_187">187</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Blue Closet</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_194">194</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Tune of Seven Towers</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_199">199</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Golden Wings</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_202">202</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">The Haystack in the Floods</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_215">215</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Two Red Roses across the Moon</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_223">223</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Welland River</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_226">226</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Riding Together</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_231">231</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Father John's War-Song</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_234">234</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Sir Giles' War-Song</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_237">237</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Near Avalon</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_239">239</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Praise of My Lady</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_241">241</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">Summer Dawn</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_246">246</SPAN></td></tr> <tr><td class="td1">In Prison</td><td class="td2"><SPAN href="#Page_247">247</SPAN></td></tr> </table></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</SPAN></span></p> <h2><SPAN name="THE_DEFENCE_OF_GUENEVERE" id="THE_DEFENCE_OF_GUENEVERE"></SPAN>THE DEFENCE OF GUENEVERE</h2> <div class="cpoem27"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="id0"><span class="dcap">B</span>UT, knowing now that they would have her speak,<br/></span> <span class="id0">She threw her wet hair backward from her brow,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Her hand close to her mouth touching her cheek,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">As though she had had there a shameful blow,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And feeling it shameful to feel ought but shame<br/></span> <span class="i0">All through her heart, yet felt her cheek burned so,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">She must a little touch it; like one lame<br/></span> <span class="i0">She walked away from Gauwaine, with her head<br/></span> <span class="i0">Still lifted up; and on her cheek of flame<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The tears dried quick; she stopped at last and said:<br/></span> <span class="i0">O knights and lords, it seems but little skill<br/></span> <span class="i0">To talk of well-known things past now and dead.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">God wot I ought to say, I have done ill,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And pray you all forgiveness heartily!<br/></span> <span class="i0">Because you must be right, such great lords; still<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Listen, suppose your time were come to die,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And you were quite alone and very weak;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Yea, laid a dying while very mightily<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The wind was ruffling up the narrow streak<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of river through your broad lands running well:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Suppose a hush should come, then some one speak:<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">'One of these cloths is heaven, and one is hell,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Now choose one cloth for ever; which they be,<br/></span> <span class="i0">I will not tell you, you must somehow tell<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Of your own strength and mightiness; here, see!'<br/></span> <span class="i0">Yea, yea, my lord, and you to ope your eyes,<br/></span> <span class="i0">At foot of your familiar bed to see<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">A great God's angel standing, with such dyes,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Not known on earth, on his great wings, and hands,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Held out two ways, light from the inner skies<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Showing him well, and making his commands<br/></span> <span class="i0">Seem to be God's commands, moreover, too,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Holding within his hands the cloths on wands;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And one of these strange choosing cloths was blue,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Wavy and long, and one cut short and red;<br/></span> <span class="i0">No man could tell the better of the two.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">After a shivering half-hour you said:<br/></span> <span class="i0">'God help! heaven's colour, the blue;' and he said, 'hell.'<br/></span> <span class="i0">Perhaps you then would roll upon your bed,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And cry to all good men that loved you well,<br/></span> <span class="i0">'Ah Christ! if only I had known, known, known;'<br/></span> <span class="i0">Launcelot went away, then I could tell,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Like wisest man how all things would be, moan,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And roll and hurt myself, and long to die,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And yet fear much to die for what was sown.<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Nevertheless you, O Sir Gauwaine, lie,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Whatever may have happened through these years,<br/></span> <span class="i0">God knows I speak truth, saying that you lie.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Her voice was low at first, being full of tears,<br/></span> <span class="i0">But as it cleared, it grew full loud and shrill,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Growing a windy shriek in all men's ears,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">A ringing in their startled brains, until<br/></span> <span class="i0">She said that Gauwaine lied, then her voice sunk,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And her great eyes began again to fill,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Though still she stood right up, and never shrunk,<br/></span> <span class="i0">But spoke on bravely, glorious lady fair!<br/></span> <span class="i0">Whatever tears her full lips may have drunk,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">She stood, and seemed to think, and wrung her hair,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Spoke out at last with no more trace of shame,<br/></span> <span class="i0">With passionate twisting of her body there:<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">It chanced upon a day that Launcelot came<br/></span> <span class="i0">To dwell at Arthur's court: at Christmas-time<br/></span> <span class="i0">This happened; when the heralds sung his name,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Son of King Ban of Benwick, seemed to chime<br/></span> <span class="i0">Along with all the bells that rang that day,<br/></span> <span class="i0">O'er the white roofs, with little change of rhyme.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Christmas and whitened winter passed away,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And over me the April sunshine came,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Made very awful with black hail-clouds, yea<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And in the Summer I grew white with flame,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And bowed my head down: Autumn, and the sick<br/></span> <span class="i0">Sure knowledge things would never be the same,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">However often Spring might be most thick<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of blossoms and buds, smote on me, and I grew<br/></span> <span class="i0">Careless of most things, let the clock tick, tick,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">To my unhappy pulse, that beat right through<br/></span> <span class="i0">My eager body; while I laughed out loud,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And let my lips curl up at false or true,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Seemed cold and shallow without any cloud.<br/></span> <span class="i0">Behold my judges, then the cloths were brought;<br/></span> <span class="i0">While I was dizzied thus, old thoughts would crowd,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Belonging to the time ere I was bought<br/></span> <span class="i0">By Arthur's great name and his little love;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Must I give up for ever then, I thought,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">That which I deemed would ever round me move<br/></span> <span class="i0">Glorifying all things; for a little word,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Scarce ever meant at all, must I now prove<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Stone-cold for ever? Pray you, does the Lord<br/></span> <span class="i0">Will that all folks should be quite happy and good?<br/></span> <span class="i0">I love God now a little, if this cord<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Were broken, once for all what striving could<br/></span> <span class="i0">Make me love anything in earth or heaven?<br/></span> <span class="i0">So day by day it grew, as if one should<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Slip slowly down some path worn smooth and even,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Down to a cool sea on a summer day;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Yet still in slipping there was some small leaven<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Of stretched hands catching small stones by the way,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Until one surely reached the sea at last,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And felt strange new joy as the worn head lay<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Back, with the hair like sea-weed; yea all past<br/></span> <span class="i0">Sweat of the forehead, dryness of the lips,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Washed utterly out by the dear waves o'ercast,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">In the lone sea, far off from any ships!<br/></span> <span class="i0">Do I not know now of a day in Spring?<br/></span> <span class="i0">No minute of that wild day ever slips<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">From out my memory; I hear thrushes sing,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And wheresoever I may be, straightway<br/></span> <span class="i0">Thoughts of it all come up with most fresh sting:<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">I was half mad with beauty on that day,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And went without my ladies all alone,<br/></span> <span class="i0">In a quiet garden walled round every way;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">I was right joyful of that wall of stone,<br/></span> <span class="i0">That shut the flowers and trees up with the sky,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And trebled all the beauty: to the bone,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Yea right through to my heart, grown very shy<br/></span> <span class="i0">With weary thoughts, it pierced, and made me glad;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Exceedingly glad, and I knew verily,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">A little thing just then had made me mad;<br/></span> <span class="i0">I dared not think, as I was wont to do,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Sometimes, upon my beauty; If I had<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Held out my long hand up against the blue,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And, looking on the tenderly darken'd fingers,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Thought that by rights one ought to see quite through,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">There, see you, where the soft still light yet lingers,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Round by the edges; what should I have done,<br/></span> <span class="i0">If this had joined with yellow spotted singers,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And startling green drawn upward by the sun?<br/></span> <span class="i0">But shouting, loosed out, see now! all my hair,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And trancedly stood watching the west wind run<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">With faintest half-heard breathing sound; why there<br/></span> <span class="i0">I lose my head e'en now in doing this;<br/></span> <span class="i0">But shortly listen: In that garden fair<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Came Launcelot walking; this is true, the kiss<br/></span> <span class="i0">Wherewith we kissed in meeting that spring day,<br/></span> <span class="i0">I scarce dare talk of the remember'd bliss,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">When both our mouths went wandering in one way,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And aching sorely, met among the leaves;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Our hands being left behind strained far away.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Never within a yard of my bright sleeves<br/></span> <span class="i0">Had Launcelot come before: and now, so nigh!<br/></span> <span class="i0">After that day why is it Guenevere grieves?<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Nevertheless you, O Sir Gauwaine, lie,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Whatever happened on through all those years,<br/></span> <span class="i0">God knows I speak truth, saying that you lie.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Being such a lady could I weep these tears<br/></span> <span class="i0">If this were true? A great queen such as I<br/></span> <span class="i0">Having sinn'd this way, straight her conscience sears;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And afterwards she liveth hatefully,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Slaying and poisoning, certes never weeps:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Gauwaine be friends now, speak me lovingly.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Do I not see how God's dear pity creeps<br/></span> <span class="i0">All through your frame, and trembles in your mouth?<br/></span> <span class="i0">Remember in what grave your mother sleeps,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Buried in some place far down in the south,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Men are forgetting as I speak to you;<br/></span> <span class="i0">By her head sever'd in that awful drouth<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Of pity that drew Agravaine's fell blow,<br/></span> <span class="i0">I pray your pity! let me not scream out<br/></span> <span class="i0">For ever after, when the shrill winds blow<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Through half your castle-locks! let me not shout<br/></span> <span class="i0">For ever after in the winter night<br/></span> <span class="i0">When you ride out alone! in battle-rout<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Let not my rusting tears make your sword light!<br/></span> <span class="i0">Ah! God of mercy, how he turns away!<br/></span> <span class="i0">So, ever must I dress me to the fight,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">So: let God's justice work! Gauwaine, I say,<br/></span> <span class="i0">See me hew down your proofs: yea all men know<br/></span> <span class="i0">Even as you said how Mellyagraunce one day,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">One bitter day in <i>la Fausse Garde</i>, for so<br/></span> <span class="i0">All good knights held it after, saw:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Yea, sirs, by cursed unknightly outrage; though<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">You, Gauwaine, held his word without a flaw,<br/></span> <span class="i0">This Mellyagraunce saw blood upon my bed:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Whose blood then pray you? is there any law<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">To make a queen say why some spots of red<br/></span> <span class="i0">Lie on her coverlet? or will you say:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Your hands are white, lady, as when you wed,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Where did you bleed? and must I stammer out, Nay,<br/></span> <span class="i0">I blush indeed, fair lord, only to rend<br/></span> <span class="i0">My sleeve up to my shoulder, where there lay<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">A knife-point last night: so must I defend<br/></span> <span class="i0">The honour of the Lady Guenevere?<br/></span> <span class="i0">Not so, fair lords, even if the world should end<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">This very day, and you were judges here<br/></span> <span class="i0">Instead of God. Did you see Mellyagraunce<br/></span> <span class="i0">When Launcelot stood by him? what white fear<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Curdled his blood, and how his teeth did dance,<br/></span> <span class="i0">His side sink in? as my knight cried and said:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Slayer of unarm'd men, here is a chance!<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Setter of traps, I pray you guard your head,<br/></span> <span class="i0">By God I am so glad to fight with you,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Stripper of ladies, that my hand feels lead<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">For driving weight; hurrah now! draw and do,<br/></span> <span class="i0">For all my wounds are moving in my breast,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And I am getting mad with waiting so.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">He struck his hands together o'er the beast,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Who fell down flat, and grovell'd at his feet,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And groan'd at being slain so young: At least,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">My knight said, rise you, sir, who are so fleet<br/></span> <span class="i0">At catching ladies, half-arm'd will I fight,<br/></span> <span class="i0">My left side all uncovered! then I weet,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Up sprang Sir Mellyagraunce with great delight<br/></span> <span class="i0">Upon his knave's face; not until just then<br/></span> <span class="i0">Did I quite hate him, as I saw my knight<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Along the lists look to my stake and pen<br/></span> <span class="i0">With such a joyous smile, it made me sigh<br/></span> <span class="i0">From agony beneath my waist-chain, when<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The fight began, and to me they drew nigh;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Ever Sir Launcelot kept him on the right,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And traversed warily, and ever high<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And fast leapt caitiff's sword, until my knight<br/></span> <span class="i0">Sudden threw up his sword to his left hand,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Caught it, and swung it; that was all the fight,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Except a spout of blood on the hot land;<br/></span> <span class="i0">For it was hottest summer; and I know<br/></span> <span class="i0">I wonder'd how the fire, while I should stand,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And burn, against the heat, would quiver so,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Yards above my head; thus these matters went;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Which things were only warnings of the woe<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">That fell on me. Yet Mellyagraunce was shent,<br/></span> <span class="i0">For Mellyagraunce had fought against the Lord;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Therefore, my lords, take heed lest you be blent<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">With all this wickedness; say no rash word<br/></span> <span class="i0">Against me, being so beautiful; my eyes,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Wept all away to grey, may bring some sword<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">To drown you in your blood; see my breast rise,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Like waves of purple sea, as here I stand;<br/></span> <span class="i0">And how my arms are moved in wonderful wise,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Yea also at my full heart's strong command,<br/></span> <span class="i0">See through my long throat how the words go up<br/></span> <span class="i0">In ripples to my mouth; how in my hand<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The shadow lies like wine within a cup<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of marvellously colour'd gold; yea now<br/></span> <span class="i0">This little wind is rising, look you up,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And wonder how the light is falling so<br/></span> <span class="i0">Within my moving tresses: will you dare,<br/></span> <span class="i0">When you have looked a little on my brow,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">To say this thing is vile? or will you care<br/></span> <span class="i0">For any plausible lies of cunning woof,<br/></span> <span class="i0">When you can see my face with no lie there<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">For ever? am I not a gracious proof:<br/></span> <span class="i0">But in your chamber Launcelot was found:<br/></span> <span class="i0">Is there a good knight then would stand aloof,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">When a queen says with gentle queenly sound:<br/></span> <span class="i0">O true as steel come now and talk with me,<br/></span> <span class="i0">I love to see your step upon the ground<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Unwavering, also well I love to see<br/></span> <span class="i0">That gracious smile light up your face, and hear<br/></span> <span class="i0">Your wonderful words, that all mean verily<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The thing they seem to mean: good friend, so dear<br/></span> <span class="i0">To me in everything, come here to-night,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Or else the hours will pass most dull and drear;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">If you come not, I fear this time I might<br/></span> <span class="i0">Get thinking over much of times gone by,<br/></span> <span class="i0">When I was young, and green hope was in sight:<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">For no man cares now to know why I sigh;<br/></span> <span class="i0">And no man comes to sing me pleasant songs,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Nor any brings me the sweet flowers that lie<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">So thick in the gardens; therefore one so longs<br/></span> <span class="i0">To see you, Launcelot; that we may be<br/></span> <span class="i0">Like children once again, free from all wrongs<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Just for one night. Did he not come to me?<br/></span> <span class="i0">What thing could keep true Launcelot away<br/></span> <span class="i0">If I said, Come? there was one less than three<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">In my quiet room that night, and we were gay;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Till sudden I rose up, weak, pale, and sick,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Because a bawling broke our dream up, yea<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">I looked at Launcelot's face and could not speak,<br/></span> <span class="i0">For he looked helpless too, for a little while;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Then I remember how I tried to shriek,<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And could not, but fell down; from tile to tile<br/></span> <span class="i0">The stones they threw up rattled o'er my head<br/></span> <span class="i0">And made me dizzier; till within a while<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">My maids were all about me, and my head<br/></span> <span class="i0">On Launcelot's breast was being soothed away<br/></span> <span class="i0">From its white chattering, until Launcelot said:<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">By God! I will not tell you more to-day,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Judge any way you will: what matters it?<br/></span> <span class="i0">You know quite well the story of that fray,<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">How Launcelot still'd their bawling, the mad fit<br/></span> <span class="i0">That caught up Gauwaine: all, all, verily,<br/></span> <span class="i0">But just that which would save me; these things flit.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Nevertheless you, O Sir Gauwaine, lie,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Whatever may have happen'd these long years,<br/></span> <span class="i0">God knows I speak truth, saying that you lie!<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">All I have said is truth, by Christ's dear tears.<br/></span> <span class="i0">She would not speak another word, but stood<br/></span> <span class="i0">Turn'd sideways; listening, like a man who hears<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">His brother's trumpet sounding through the wood<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of his foes' lances. She lean'd eagerly,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And gave a slight spring sometimes, as she could<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">At last hear something really; joyfully<br/></span> <span class="i0">Her cheek grew crimson, as the headlong speed<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of the roan charger drew all men to see,<br/></span> <span class="i0">The knight who came was Launcelot at good need.<br/></span></div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />