74
THE TALE OF BALEN
And Balen answered: 'I were loth
To fight as one perforce made wroth
With one that owes by knighthood's oath
One love, one service, and one troth
With me to him whose gracious hand
Holds fast the helm of knighthood here
Whereby man's hope and heart may steer:
I pray you let not sorrow or fear
Against his bidding stand.'
The strange knight gazed on him, and spake:
'Will you, for Arthur's royal sake,
Be warrant for me that I take
No scathe from strife that man may make?
Then will I go with you.' And he
Made joyous answer: 'Yea, for I
Will be your warrant or will die.'
And thence they rode with hearts as high
As men's that search the sea.
