Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/30

 'What chance God sends, that chance I take,' He said. Then soft and still she spake; 'I would but for thine only sake Have back the sword of thee, and break The links of doom that bind thee round. But seeing thou wilt not have it so, My heart for thine is wrung with woe.' 'God's will,' quoth he, 'it is, we know, Wherewith our lives are bound.'

'Repent it must thou soon,' she said, 'Who wouldst not hear the rede I read For thine and not for my sake, sped In vain as waters heavenward shed From springs that falter and depart Earthward. God bids not thee believe Truth, and the web thy life must weave For even this sword to close and cleave Hangs heavy round my heart.'