Page:Tristram of Lyonesse and other poems (IA tristramoflyonesswinrich).pdf/94

 Struck all his mounting spirit abashed, and fear Fell cold for shame's sake on his changing cheer. Yea, shame's own fire that burned upon his brow To bear the brand there of a broken vow Was frozen again for very fear thereof That wrung his heart with keener pangs than love. And all things rose upon him, all things past Ere last they parted, cloven in twain at last, Iseult from Tristram, Tristram from the queen; And how men found them in the wild woods green Sleeping, but sundered by the sword between, Dividing breast from amorous breast a span, But scarce in heart the woman from the man As far as hope from joy or sleep from truth, And Mark that saw them held for sacred sooth These were no fleshly lovers, by that sign That severed them, still slumbering; so divine He deemed it: how at waking they beheld The king's folk round the king, and uncompelled Were fain to follow and fare among them home Back to the towers washed round with rolling foam And storied halls wherethrough sea-music rang: And how report thereafter swelled and sprang, A full-mouthed serpent, hissing in men's ears Word of their loves: and one of all his peers That most he trusted, being his kinsman born, A man base-moulded for the stamp of scorn, Whose heart with hate was keen and cold and dark, Gave note by midnight whisper to King Mark