Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/37

 'Albeit, for all that pride would prove, My heart be wrung to lose thy love, It yet repents me not hereof: So many an eagle and many a dove, So many a knight, so many a may, This water-snake of poisonous tongue To death by words and wiles hath stung, That her their slayer, from hell's lake sprung, I did not ill to slay.'

'Yea,' said the king, 'too high of heart To stand before a king thou art; Yet irks it me to bid thee part And take thy penance for thy part, That God may put upon thy pride.' Then Balen took the severed head And toward his hostry turned and sped As one that knew not quick from dead Nor good from evil tide.