Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/113

 Strong summer, dumb with rapture, bound With golden calm the woodlands round Wherethrough the knight forth faring found A knight that on the greenwood ground Sat mourning: fair he was to see, And moulded as for love or fight A maiden's dreams might frame her knight; But sad in joy's far-flowering sight As grief's blind thrall might be.

'God save you,' Balen softly said, 'What grief bows down your heart and head Thus, as one sorrowing for his dead? Tell me, if haply I may stead In aught your sorrow, that I may.' 'Sir knight,' that other said, 'thy word Makes my grief heavier that I heard.' And pity and wonder inly stirred Drew Balen thence away.