THE TALE OF BALEN
61
But when the woful word was brought
That while he tarried, doubting nought,
The hope was lost whose goal he sought
And all the fight he yearned for fought,
His heart was rent for grief and shame,
And half his hope was set on flight
Till word was given him of a knight
Who said: 'They are weary and worn with fight,
And we more fresh than flame.'
And bright and dark as night and day
Ere either find the unopening way
Clear, and forego the unaltering sway,
The sad king's face shone, frowning: 'Yea,
I would that every knight of mine
Would do his part as I shall do,'
He said, 'till death or life anew
Shall judge between us as is due
With wiser doom than thine.'
