Songs and Satires Part 14

A bank late covered by the snow, But lighted by the frozen North; Her soul is like a little plot That one white blossom bringeth forth.

Her soul is slim, like silver slips, And straight, like flags beside a stream.

Her soul is like a shape that moves And changes in a wonder dream.

Who would pursue her clasps a cloud, And taketh sorrow for his zeal.

Memory shall sing him many songs While bound upon the torture wheel.

Her soul is like a wolf that glides By moonlight o'er a phantom ridge; Her face is like a light that runs Beneath the shadow of a bridge.

Her voice is like a woodland cry Heard in a summer's desolate hour.

Her eyes are dim; her lips are faint, And tinctured like the cuckoo flower.

Her little b.r.e.a.s.t.s are like the buds Of tulips in a place forlorn.

Her soul is like a mandrake bloom Standing against the crimson moon.

Her dream is like the fenny snake's, That warms him in the noonday's fire.

She hath no thought, nor any hope, Save of herself and her desire.

She is not life; she is not death; She is not fear, or joy or grief.

Her soul is like a quiet sea Beneath a ruin-haunted reef.

She is the shape the sailor sees, That slips the rock without a sound.

She is the soul that comes and goes And leaves no mark, yet makes a wound.

She is the soul that hunts and flies; She is a world-wide mist of care.

She is the restlessness of life, Its rapture and despair.

BALLAD OF LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE

It was a hermit on Whitsunday That came to the Table Round.

"King Arthur, wit ye by what Knight May the Holy Grail be found?"

"By never a Knight that liveth now; By none that feasteth here."

King Arthur marvelled when he said, "He shall be got this year."

Then uprose brave Sir Launcelot And there did mount his steed, And hastened to a pleasant town That stood in knightly need.

Where many people him acclaimed, He pa.s.sed the Corbin pounte, And there he saw a fairer tower Than ever was his wont.

And in that tower for many years A dolorous lady lay, Whom Queen Northgalis had bewitched, And also Queen le Fay.

And Launcelot loosed her from those pains, And there a dragon slew.

Then came King Pelles out and said, "Your name, brave Knight and true?"

"My name is Pelles, wit ye well, And King of the far country; And I, Sir Knight, am cousin nigh To Joseph of Armathie."

"I am Sir Launcelot du Lake."

And then they clung them fast; And yede into the castle hall To take the king's repast.

Anon there cometh in a dove By the window's open fold, And in her mouth was a rich censer, That shone like Ophir gold.

And therewithal was such savor As bloweth over sea From a land of many colored flowers And trees of spicery.

And therewithal was meat and drink, And a damsel pa.s.sing fair, Betwixt her hands of tulip-white, A golden cup did bear.

"O, Jesu," said Sir Launcelot, "What may this marvel mean?"

"That is," said Pelles, "richest thing That any man hath seen."

"O, Jesu," said Sir Launcelot, "What may this sight avail?"

"Now wit ye well," said King Pelles, "That was the Holy Grail."

Then by this sign King Pelles knew Elaine his fair daughter Should lie with Launcelot that night, And Launcelot with her.

And that this twain should get a child Before the night should fail, Who would be named Sir Galahad, And find the Holy Grail.

Then cometh one hight Dame Brisen With Pelles to confer, "Now, wit ye well, Sir Launcelot Loveth but Guinevere."

"But if ye keep him well in hand, The while I work my charms, The maid Elaine, ere spring of morn, Shall lie within his arms."

Dame Brisen was the subtlest witch That was that time in life; She was as if Beelzebub Had taken her to wife.

Then did she cause one known of face To Launcelot to bring, As if it came from Guinevere, Her wonted signet ring.

"By Holy Rood, thou comest true, For well I know thy face.

Where is my lady?" asked the Knight, "There in the Castle Case?"

"'Tis five leagues scarcely from this hall,"

Up spoke that man of guile.

"I go this hour," said Launcelot, "Though it were fifty mile."

Then sped Dame Brisen to the king And whispered, "An we thrive, Elaine must reach the Castle Case Ere Launcelot arrive."

Elaine stole forth with twenty knights And a goodly company.

Sir Launcelot rode fast behind, Queen Guinevere to see.

Anon he reached the castle door.

Oh! fond and well deceived.

And there it seemed the queen's own train Sir Launcelot received.

"Where is the queen?" quoth Launcelot, "For I am sore bestead,"

"Have not such haste," said Dame Brisen, "The queen is now in bed."

"Then lead me thither," saith he, "And cease this j.a.pe of thine."

"Now sit thee down," said Dame Brisen, "And have a cup of wine."