48
THE TALE OF BALEN
So parted they toward eventide;
And tender twilight, heavy-eyed,
Saw deep down glimmering woodlands ride
Balen and Balan side by side,
Till where the leaves grew dense and dim
Again they spied from far draw near
The presence of the sacred seer,
But so disguised and strange of cheer
That seeing they knew not him.
'Now whither ride ye,' Merlin said,
'Through shadows that the sun strikes red,
Ere night be born or day be dead?'
But they, for doubt half touched with dread,
Would say not where their goal might lie.
'And thou,' said Balen, 'what art thou,
To walk with shrouded eye and brow?'
He said: 'Me lists not show thee now
By name what man am I.'
