Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/85

 'I would the task required and heard Were heavier than your sovereign word Hath laid on me:' and thence he spurred Elate at heart as youth, and stirred With hope as blithe as fires a boy: And many a mile he rode, and found Far in a forest's glimmering bound The man he sought afar around And seeing took fire for joy. And with him went a maiden, fair As flowers aflush with April air. And Balen bade him turn him there To tell the king what woes they were That bowed him down so sore: and he Made woful answer: 'This should do Great scathe to me, with nought for you Of help that hope might hearken to For boot that may not be.'