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Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

<hr style="width: 65%;" />[Pg 202] <h2>GOLDEN WINGS</h2> <div class="cpoem25"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> MIDWAYS of a wallèd garden, In the happy poplar land, Did an ancient castle stand, With an old knight for a warden. </div> <div class="stanza"> Many scarlet bricks there were In its walls, and old grey stone; Over which red apples shone At the right time of the year. </div> <div class="stanza"> On the bricks the green moss grew. Yellow lichen on the stone, Over which red apples shone; Little war that castle knew. [Pg 203]</div> <div class="stanza"> Deep green water fill'd the moat, Each side had a red-brick lip, Green and mossy with the drip Of dew and rain; there was a boat </div> <div class="stanza"> Of carven wood, with hangings green About the stern; it was great bliss For lovers to sit there and kiss In the hot summer noons, not seen. </div> <div class="stanza"> Across the moat the fresh west wind In very little ripples went; The way the heavy aspens bent Towards it, was a thing to mind. </div> <div class="stanza"> The painted drawbridge over it Went up and down with gilded chains, 'Twas pleasant in the summer rains Within the bridge-house there to sit. </div> <div class="stanza"> There were five swans that ne'er did eat The water-weeds, for ladies came Each day, and young knights did the same, And gave them cakes and bread for meat. [Pg 204]</div> <div class="stanza"> They had a house of painted wood, A red roof gold-spiked over it, Wherein upon their eggs to sit Week after week; no drop of blood, </div> <div class="stanza"> Drawn from men's bodies by sword-blows, Came ever there, or any tear; Most certainly from year to year 'Twas pleasant as a Provence rose. </div> <div class="stanza"> The banners seem'd quite full of ease, That over the turret-roofs hung down; The battlements could get no frown From the flower-moulded cornices. </div> <div class="stanza"> Who walked in that garden there? Miles and Giles and Isabeau, Tall Jehane du Castel beau, Alice of the golden hair, </div> <div class="stanza"> Big Sir Gervaise, the good knight, Fair Ellayne le Violet, Mary, Constance fille de fay, Many dames with footfall light. [Pg 205]</div> <div class="stanza"> Whosoever wander'd there, Whether it be dame or knight, Half of scarlet, half of white Their raiment was; of roses fair </div> <div class="stanza"> Each wore a garland on the head, At Ladies' Gard the way was so: Fair Jehane du Castel beau Wore her wreath till it was dead. </div> <div class="stanza"> Little joy she had of it, Of the raiment white and red, Or the garland on her head, She had none with whom to sit </div> <div class="stanza"> In the carven boat at noon; None the more did Jehane weep, She would only stand and keep Saying: He will be here soon! </div> <div class="stanza"> Many times in the long day Miles and Giles and Gervaise passed, Holding each some white hand fast, Every time they heard her say: [Pg 206]</div> <div class="stanza"> Summer cometh to an end, Undern cometh after noon; Golden wings will be here soon, What if I some token send? </div> <div class="stanza"> Wherefore that night within the hall, With open mouth and open eyes, Like some one listening with surprise, She sat before the sight of all. </div> <div class="stanza"> Stoop'd down a little she sat there, With neck stretch'd out and chin thrown up, One hand around a golden cup; And strangely with her fingers fair </div> <div class="stanza"> She beat some tune upon the gold; The minstrels in the gallery Sung: Arthur, who will never die, In Avallon he groweth old. </div> <div class="stanza"> And when the song was ended, she Rose and caught up her gown and ran; None stopp'd her eager face and wan Of all that pleasant company. [Pg 207]</div> <div class="stanza"> Right so within her own chamber Upon her bed she sat; and drew Her breath in quick gasps; till she knew That no man follow'd after her. </div> <div class="stanza"> She took the garland from her head, Loosed all her hair, and let it lie Upon the coverlet; thereby She laid the gown of white and red; </div> <div class="stanza"> And she took off her scarlet shoon, And bared her feet; still more and more Her sweet face redden'd; evermore She murmur'd: He will be here soon; </div> <div class="stanza"> Truly he cannot fail to know My tender body waits him here; And if he knows, I have no fear For poor Jehane du Castel beau. </div> <div class="stanza"> She took a sword within her hand, Whose hilts were silver, and she sung Somehow like this, wild words that rung A long way over the moonlit land: [Pg 208]</div> <div class="stanza"> Gold wings across the sea! Grey light from tree to tree, Gold hair beside my knee, I pray thee come to me, Gold wings! </div> <div class="stanza"> The water slips, The red-bill'd moorhen dips. Sweet kisses on red lips; Alas! the red rust grips, And the blood-red dagger rips, Yet, O knight, come to me! </div> <div class="stanza"> Are not my blue eyes sweet? The west wind from the wheat Blows cold across my feet; Is it not time to meet Gold wings across the sea? </div> <div class="stanza"> White swans on the green moat, Small feathers left afloat By the blue-painted boat; Swift running of the stoat, [Pg 209] Sweet gurgling note by note Of sweet music. </div> <div class="stanza"> O gold wings, Listen how gold hair sings, And the Ladies Castle rings, Gold wings across the sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> I sit on a purple bed, Outside, the wall is red, Thereby the apple hangs, And the wasp, caught by the fangs, </div> <div class="stanza"> Dies in the autumn night, And the bat flits till light, And the love-crazèd knight </div> <div class="stanza"> Kisses the long wet grass: The weary days pass, Gold wings across the sea. </div> <div class="stanza"> Gold wings across the sea! Moonlight from tree to tree, Sweet hair laid on my knee, O, sweet knight, come to me. [Pg 210]</div> <div class="stanza"> Gold wings, the short night slips, The white swan's long neck drips, I pray thee kiss my lips, Gold wings across the sea! </div> <div class="stanza"> No answer through the moonlit night; No answer in the cold grey dawn; No answer when the shaven lawn Grew green, and all the roses bright. </div> <div class="stanza"> Her tired feet look'd cold and thin, Her lips were twitch'd, and wretched tears, Some, as she lay, roll'd past her ears, Some fell from off her quivering chin. </div> <div class="stanza"> Her long throat, stretched to its full length, Rose up and fell right brokenly; As though the unhappy heart was nigh Striving to break with all its strength. </div> <div class="stanza"> And when she slipp'd from off the bed, Her cramp'd feet would not hold her; she Sank down and crept on hand and knee, On the window-sill she laid her head. [Pg 211]</div> <div class="stanza"> There, with crooked arm upon the sill, She look'd out, muttering dismally: There is no sail upon the sea, No pennon on the empty hill. </div> <div class="stanza"> I cannot stay here all alone, Or meet their happy faces here, And wretchedly I have no fear; A little while, and I am gone. </div> <div class="stanza"> Therewith she rose upon her feet, And totter'd; cold and misery Still made the deep sobs come, till she At last stretch'd out her fingers sweet, </div> <div class="stanza"> And caught the great sword in her hand; And, stealing down the silent stair, Barefooted in the morning air. And only in her smock, did stand </div> <div class="stanza"> Upright upon the green lawn grass; And hope grew in her as she said: I have thrown off the white and red, And pray God it may come to pass [Pg 212]</div> <div class="stanza"> I meet him; if ten years go by Before I meet him; if, indeed, Meanwhile both soul and body bleed, Yet there is end of misery, </div> <div class="stanza"> And I have hope. He could not come, But I can go to him and show These new things I have got to know, And make him speak, who has been dumb. </div> <div class="stanza"> O Jehane! the red morning sun Changed her white feet to glowing gold, Upon her smock, on crease and fold, Changed that to gold which had been dun. </div> <div class="stanza"> O Miles, and Giles, and Isabeau, Fair Ellayne le Violet, Mary, Constance fille de fay! Where is Jehane du Castel beau? </div> <div class="stanza"> O big Gervaise ride apace! Down to the hard yellow sand, Where the water meets the land. This is Jehane by her face. [Pg 213]</div> <div class="stanza"> Why has she a broken sword? Mary! she is slain outright; Verily a piteous sight; Take her up without a word! </div> <div class="stanza"> Giles and Miles and Gervaise there, Ladies' Gard must meet the war; Whatsoever knights these are, Man the walls withouten fear! </div> <div class="stanza"> Axes to the apple-trees, Axes to the aspens tall! Barriers without the wall May be lightly made of these. </div> <div class="stanza"> O poor shivering Isabeau; Poor Ellayne le Violet, Bent with fear! we miss to-day Brave Jehane du Castel beau. </div> <div class="stanza"> O poor Mary, weeping so! Wretched Constance fille de fay! Verily we miss to-day Fair Jehane du Castel beau. [Pg 214]</div> <div class="stanza"> The apples now grow green and sour Upon the mouldering castle-wall, Before they ripen there they fall: There are no banners on the tower, </div> <div class="stanza"> The draggled swans most eagerly eat The green weeds trailing in the moat; Inside the rotting leaky boat You see a slain man's stiffen'd feet. </div> </div></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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