Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/58

 Again and sadly Merlin spake: 'My heart is wrung for this deed's sake, To know thee therefore doomed to take Upon thine hand a curse, and make Three kingdoms pine through twelve years' change, In want and woe: for thou shalt smite The man most noble and truest knight That looks upon the live world's light A dolorous stroke and strange.

'And not till years shall round their goal May this man's wound thou hast given be whole.' And Balen, stricken through the soul By dark-winged words of doom and dole, Made answer: 'If I wist it were No lie but sooth thou sayest of me, Then even to make a liar of thee Would I too slay myself, and see How death bids dead men fare.'