6. death or him," Again and like a burthen, "him or death."

But when Sir Lancelot's deadly hurt was whole,

To Astolat returning rode the three. There morn by morn, arraying her sweet

self

speak.

And Lancelot saw that she withheld her wish,

And bode among them yet a little space Til he should learn it; and one morn it chanced

He found her in among the garden yews, And said, "Delay no longer, speak your wish,

Seeing I must go to-day": then out she brake;

"Going? and we shall never see you more. And I must die for want of one bold word." "Speak: that I live to hear," he said, "is yours."

Then suddenly and passionately she spoke :

"I have gone mad. I love you let me die.'

"Ah, sister," answer'd Lancelot, "what is this?"

And innocently extending her white arms, "Your love," she said, "your love - to be your wife."

And Lancelot answer'd, "Had I chos'n to wed,

But to be with you still, to see your face, To serve you, and to follow you thro' the world."

And Lancelot answer'd, "Nay, the world, the world,

All ear and eye, with such a stupid heart To interpret ear and eye, and such a tongue To blare its own interpretation nay, Full ill then should I quit your brother's love,

And your good father's kindness." And she said

"Not to be with you, not to see your faceAlas for me then, my good days are done." Nay, noble maid," he answer'd, times nay!

66

"" ten

This is not love but love's first flash in youth,

Most common: yea I know it of mine own self:

And you yourself will smile at your own self

Hereafter, when you yield your flower of life

To one more fitly yours, not thrice your ȧge:

And then will I, for true you are and

| I fear me, that will strike my blossom dead. Too courteous are you, fair Lord Lancelot. I pray you, use some rough discourtesy To blunt or break her passion." Lancelot said,

"That were against me: what I can I will";

And there that day remain'd, and toward

even

Sent for his shield: full meekly rose the maid,

Stript off the case, and gave the naked shield;

Then, when she heard his horse upon the stones,

Unclasping flung the casement back, and look'd

Down on his helm, from which her sleeve had gone.

And Lancelot knew the little clinking sound;

And she by tact of love was well aware That Lancelot knew that she was looking at him.

And yet he glanced not up, nor waved his hand,

Nor bade farewell, but sadly rode away. This was the one discourtesy that he used.

| Your limit, oft returning with the tide. And yet I cried because ye would not pass Beyond it, and far up the shining flood Until we found the palace of the king. And yet ye would not; but this night I dream'd

That I was all alone upon the flood, And then I said "Now shall I have my will":

And there I woke, but still the wish remain'd.

So let me hence that I may pass at last Beyond the poplar and far up the flood, Until I find the palace of the king. There will I enter in among them all, And no man there will dare to mock at me; But there the fine Gawain will wonder at me,

And there the great Sir Lancelot muse at

me;

Gawain, who bade a thousand farewells to me,

Lancelot, who coldly went nor bade me

one :

And there the King will know me and my love,

And there the Queen herself will pity me, And all the gentle court will welcome me, And after my long voyage I shall rest!"

"Peace," said her father, "O my child,

ye seem

Light-headed, for what force is yours to go, So far, being sick? and wherefore would ye look

On this proud fellow again, who scorns us all?"

Then the rough Torre began to heave and move,

And bluster into stormy sobs and say "I never loved him an I meet with him, I care not howsoever great he be, Then will I strike at him and strike him down,

Give me good fortune, I will strike him dead,

For this discomfort he hath done the house."

To which the gentle sister made reply, "Fret not yourself, dear brother, nor be wroth,

Seeing it is no more Sir Lancelot's fault Not to love me, than it is mine to love Him of all men who seems to me the highest."