Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/126

 'A good knight guards an island here Against all swords that chance brings near, And there with stroke of sword and spear Must all for whom these halls make cheer Fight, and redeem or yield up life.' 'An evil custom,' Balen said, 'Is this, that none whom chance hath led Hither, if knighthood crown his head, May pass unstirred to strife.'

'You shall not have ado to fight Here save against one only knight,' She said, and all her face grew bright As hell-fire, lit with hungry light That wicked laughter touched with flame. 'Well, since I shall thereto,' said he, 'I am ready at heart as death for me: Fain would I be where death should be And life should lose its name.