Break into furious flame; being repulsed By Yniol and yourself, I schemed and wrought

Until I overturn'd him; then set up
(With one main purpose ever at my heart)
My haughty jousts, and took a paramour;
Did her mock-honour as the fairest fair,
And, toppling over all antagonism,
So wax'd in pride, that I believed myself
Unconquerable, for I was wellnigh mad:
And, but for my main purpose in these
jousts,

I should have slain your father, seized yourself.

I lived in hope that sometime you would

And find that it had been the wolf's indeed:

And oft I talk'd with Dubric, the high saint,

Who, with mild heat of holy oratory, Subdued me somewhat to that gentleness, Which, when it weds with manhood, makes a man.

And you were often there about the Queen,

But saw me not, or mark'd not if you

saw;

Nor did I care or dare to speak with you, But kept myself aloof till I was changed; And fear not, cousin; I am changed indeed.'

He spoke, and Enid easily believed, Like simple noble natures, credulous Of what they long for, good in friend or foe,

There most in those who most have done them ill.

And when they reach'd the camp the King himself

Advanced to greet them, and beholding her

Tho' pale, yet happy, ask'd her not a word,

But went apart with Edyrn, whom he held In converse for a little, and return'd, And, gravely smiling, lifted her from horse,

And kiss'd her with all pureness, brotherlike,

And show'd an empty tent allotted her, And glancing for a minute, till he saw her Pass into it, turn'd to the Prince, and said:

Brethren, to right and left the spring, that

down,

From underneath a plume of lady-fern, Sang, and the sand danced at the bottom

of it.

And on the right of Balin Balin's horse Was fast beside an alder, on the left Of Balan Balan's near a poplartree. 'Fair Sirs,' said Arthur, 'wherefore sit ye here?'

Balin and Balan answer'd, 'For the sake Of glory; we be mightier men than all In Arthur's court; that also have we proved;

For whatsoever knight against us came Or I or he have easily overthrown.' 'I too,' said Arthur, 'am of Arthur's hall,

But rather proven in his Paynim wars Than famous jousts; but see, or proven

or not,

Whether me likewise ye can overthrow.' And Arthur lightly smote the brethren

down,

And lightly so return'd, and no man knew.

Then Balin rose, and Balan, and beside The carolling water set themselves again, And spake no word until the shadow turn'd;

When from the fringe of coppice round them burst

A spangled pursuivant, and crying 'Sirs, Rise, follow! ye be sent for by the King,' They follow'd; whom when Arthur seeing ask'd

'Tell me your names; why sat ye by the

well?'

Balin the stillness of a minute broke Saying, 'An unmelodious name to thee, Balin, "the Savage' that addition

thine

My brother and my better, this man here,
Balan. I smote upon the naked skull
A thrall of thine in open hall, my hand
Was gauntleted, half slew him; for I

heard

He had spoken evil of me; thy just wrath Sent me a three-years' exile from thine

eyes.

I have not lived my life delightsomely: For I that did that violence to thy thrall,

Had often wrought some fury on myself, Saving for Balan: those three kingless

years

Have past

were wormwood-bitter to me. King,

Methought that if we sat beside the well, And hurl'd to ground what knight soever spurr'd

Against us, thou would'st take me gladlier back,

And make, as ten-times worthier to be thine

Than twenty Balins, Balan knight. I have said.

Not so not all. A man of thine to-day Abash'd us both, and brake my boast. Thy will?'

Said Arthur, 'Thou hast ever spoken truth;

Thy too fierce manhood would not let thee lie.

Rise, my true knight. As children learn, be thou Wiser for falling! walk with

move

me, and

To music with thine Order and the King. Thy chair, a grief to all the brethren, stands

Vacant, but thou retake it, mine again!'

Thereafter, when Sir Balin enter'd hall, The Lost one Found was greeted as in Heaven

With joy that blazed itself in woodland wealth

Of leaf, and gayest garlandage of flowers, Along the walls and down the board;

they sat,

And cup clash'd cup; they drank and some one sang,

Sweet-voiced, a song of welcome, whereupon

Their common shout in chorus, mounting, made

Those banners of twelve battles overhead Stir, as they stirr'd of old, when Arthur's host

Proclaim'd him Victor, and the day was

won.

Then Balan added to their Order lived A wealthier life than heretofore with these And Balin, till their embassage return'd.