THE TALE OF BALEN
83
'Good knight of mine, good will have I
To help this healing though I die.'
'Nay,' Balen said, 'but love may try
What help in living love may lie.
—I will not lose the life of her
While my life lasteth.' So she gave
The tribute love was fain to crave,
But might not heal though fain to save,
Were God's grace helpfuller.
Another maid in later Mays
Won with her life that woful praise,
And died. But they, when surging day's
Deep tide fulfilled the dawn's wide ways,
Rode forth, and found by day or night
No chance to cross their wayfaring
Till when they saw the fourth day spring
A knight's hall gave them harbouring
Rich as a king's house might.
