THE TALE OF BALEN
49
'Ill seen is this of thee,' said they,
'That thou art true in word and way
Nor fain to fear the face of day,
Who wilt not as a true man say
The name it shames not him to bear.'
He answered: 'Be it or be it not so,
Yet why ye ride this way I know,
To meet King Ryons as a foe,
And how your hope shall fare.
'Well, if ye hearken toward my rede,
Ill, if ye hear not, shall ye speed.'
'Ah, now,' they cried, 'thou art ours at need:
What Merlin saith we are fain to heed.'
'Great worship shall ye win,' said he,
'And look that ye do knightly now,
For great shall be your need, I trow.'
And Balen smiled: 'By knighthood's vow,
The best we may will we.'
