Page:Tristram of Lyonesse and other poems (IA tristramoflyonesswinrich).pdf/181

 The roses of the dawning heaven that strew The low soft sun's way ere his power shine through And burn them up with fire: but far to west Had sunk the dead moon on the live sea's breast, Slain as with bitter fear to see the sun: And eastward was a strong bright wind begun Between the clouds and waters: and he said, Seeing hardly through dark dawn her doubtful head, 'Iseult?' and like a death-bell faint and clear The virgin voice rang answer—'I am here.' And his heart sprang, and sank again: and she Spake, saying, 'What would my knightly lord with me?' And Tristram: 'Hath my lady watched all night Beside me, and I knew not? God requite Her love for comfort shown a man nigh dead.' 'Yea, God shall surely guerdon it,' she said, 'Who hath kept me all my days through to this hour.' And Tristram: 'God alone hath grace and power To pay such grace toward one unworthier shown Than ever durst, save only of God alone, Crave pardon yet and comfort, as I would Crave now for charity if my heart were good, But as a coward's it fails me, even for shame.' Then seemed her face a pale funereal flame That burns down slow by midnight, as she said: 'Speak, and albeit thy bidding spake me dead, God's love renounce me if it were not done.' And Tristram: 'When the sea-line takes the sun That now should be not far off sight from far, Look if there come not with the morning star