Page:Tristram of Lyonesse and other poems (IA tristramoflyonesswinrich).pdf/95

 Where he might take them sleeping; how ere day Had seen the grim next morning all away Fast bound they brought him down a weary way With forty knights about him, and their chief That traitor who for trust had given him grief, To the old hoar chapel, like a strait stone tomb Sheer on the sea-rocks, there to take his doom: How, seeing he needs must die, he bade them yet Bethink them if they durst for shame forget What deeds for Cornwall had he done, and wrought For all their sake what rescue, when he fought Against the fierce foul Irish foe that came To take of them for tribute in their shame Three hundred heads of children; whom in fight His hand redeeming slew Moraunt the knight That none durst lift his eyes against, not one Had heart but he, who now had help of none, To take the battle; whence great shame it were To knighthood, yea, foul shame on all men there, To see him die so shamefully: nor durst One man look up, nor one make answer first, Save even the very traitor, who defied And would have slain him naked in his pride, But he, that saw the sword plucked forth to slay, Looked on his hands, and wrenched their bonds away, Haling those twain that he went bound between Suddenly to him, and kindling in his mien Shone lion-fashion forth with eyes alight,