Page:Early poems of William Morris.djvu/174

 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.

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

She beat some tune upon the gold;

The minstrels in the gallery

Sung: "Arthur, who will never die,

In Avallon he groweth old."

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.

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:

She took the garland from her head.

Loosed all her hair, and let it lie

Upon the coverlit; thereby

She laid the gown of white and red;

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;