Page:The tale of Balen (IA taleofbalen00swin).pdf/96

 And while they sat at meat and spake Words bright and kind as grace might make Sweet for true knighthood's kindly sake, They heard a cry beside them break The still-souled joy of blameless rest. 'What noise is this?' quoth Balen. 'Nay,' His knightly host made answer, 'may Our grief not grieve you though I say How here I dwell unblest.

'Not many a day has lived and died Since at a tournay late I tried My strength to smite and turn and ride Against a knight of kinglike pride, King Pellam's brother: twice I smote The splendour of his strength to dust: And he, fulfilled of hate's fierce lust, Swore vengeance, pledged for hell to trust, And keen as hell's wide throat.