Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/73

 But when the woful word was brought That while he tarried, doubting nought, The hope was lost whose goal he sought And all the fight he yearned for fought, His heart was rent for grief and shame, And half his hope was set on flight Till word was given him of a knight Who said: 'They are weary and worn with fight, And we more fresh than flame.'

And bright and dark as night and day Ere either find the unopening way Clear, and forego the unaltering sway, The sad king's face shone, frowning: 'Yea, I would that every knight of mine Would do his part as I shall do,' He said, 'till death or life anew Shall judge between us as is due With wiser doom than thine.'