BALLAD OF SIR LAUNCELOT

An Arthurian Miscellany at sacred-texts.com

"Riding the quest of the Grail alone,
    Guinevere, Guinevere, pity me!
All thro' the day and the night I moan,
    Yearning to catch but a glimpse of thee.
Tho' I make halt by the wan west sea,
    Seeking a sign in the high God's name,
Lo, as I tremble and bow the knee,
    Gleameth thy face with the eyes aflame!

"Me have I scourged till the blood hath flown,
    Weeping hot tears of misery;
Still thro' the day and the night I moan,
    Yearning to catch but a glimpse of thee. --
Yea, have I striven and sought to flee,
    Ever and ever the same -- the same --
Blinding my soul with sweet rarity,
    Gleameth thy face with the eyes aflame!

"Sleeping, I dreamed that the Grail was shown,
    Marvellous bright with clemency;
Waking, I lay on the chancel-stone --
    Ah, but I yearned for the touch of thee! --
Tho' I may bow and make piteous plea
    Unto the Christ and our Holy Dame,
Sweeter by far than all visions be,
    Gleameth thy face with the eyes aflame."

ENVOY.

Guinevere maketh a day of glee, --
    "Who is it cometh to join our game?" --
"Launcelot rideth with bridle free,
    Gleameth thy face with the eyes aflame."