Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/40

 But ere he passed, in eager mood To feed his hate with bitter food, Before the king's face Merlin stood And heard his tale of ill and good, Of Balen, and the sword achieved, And whence it smote as heaven's red ire That direful dame of doom as dire; And how the king's wrath turned to fire The grief wherewith he grieved.

And darkening as he gave it ear, The still face of the sacred seer Waxed wan with wrath and not with fear, And ever changed its cloudier cheer Till all his face was very night. 'This damosel that brought the sword,' He said, 'before the king my lord, And all these knights about his board, Hath done them all despite.