68
THE TALE OF BALEN
High hope in Balen's heart alight
Laughed, as from all that clamorous fight
He passed and sought not Arthur's sight,
Who fain had found his kingliest knight
And made amend for Balen's wrong.
But Merlin gave his soul to see
Fate, rising as a shoreward sea,
And all the sorrow that should be
Ere hope or fear thought long.
'O where are they whose hands upbore
My battle,' Arthur said, 'before
The wild Welsh host's wide rage and roar?
Balen and Balan, Pellinore,
Where are they?' Merlin answered him:
'Balen shall be not long away
From sight of you, but night nor day
Shall bring his brother back to say
If life burn bright or dim.'
