Page:Tristram of Lyonesse and other poems (IA tristramoflyonesswinrich).pdf/148

 Falling, and bright as storm shows God's bare brand Flashed as it shore sheer off the huge right hand Whose strength was as the shadow of death on all that land. And like the trunk of some grim tree sawn through Reeled Urgan, as his left hand grasped and drew A steel by sorcerers tempered: and anew Raged the red wind of fluctuant fight, till all The cliffs were thrilled as by the clangorous call Of storm's blown trumpets from the core of night, Charging: and even as with the storm-wind's might On Tristram's helm that sword crashed: and the knight Fell, and his arms clashed, and a wide cry brake From those far off that heard it, for his sake Soul-stricken: and that bulk of monstrous birth Sent forth again a cry more dire for mirth: But ere the sunbright arms were soiled of earth They flashed again, re-risen: and swift and loud Rang the strokes out as from a circling cloud, So dense the dust wrought over them its drifted shroud. Strong strokes, within the mist their battle made, Each hailed on other through the shifting shade That clung about them hurtling as the swift fight swayed: And each between the jointed corslet saw Break forth his foe's bright blood at each grim flaw Steel made in hammered iron: till again The fiend put forth his might more strong for pain And cleft the great knight's glittering shield in twain,