Down the long tower-stairs, hesitating. 341 Anon, she heard Sir Lancelot cry in the court,

This shield, my friend, where is it?' and Lavaine

Past inward, as she came from out the tower.

There to his proud horse Lancelot turn'd, and smooth'd

The glossy shoulder, humming to himself. Half-envious of the flattering hand, she drew

Nearer and stood. He look'd, and, more amazed

Than if seven men had set upon him, saw
The maiden standing in the dewy light. 350
He had not dream'd she was so beautiful.
Then came on him a sort of sacred fear,
For silent, tho' he greeted her, she stood
Rapt on his face as if it were a god's.
Suddenly flash'd on her a wild desire
That he should wear her favor at the tilt.
She braved a riotous heart in asking for it.
'Fair lord, whose name I know not

'Fair lady, since I never yet have worn Favor of any lady in the lists. Such is my wont, as those who know me know.'

'Yea, so,' she answer'd; 'then in wearing mine

Needs must be lesser likelihood, noble lord, That those who know should know you.' And he turn'd

Her counsel up and down within his mind, And found it true, and answer'd: True, my child.

Well, I will wear it; fetch it out to me.
What is it?' and she told him, 'A red
sleeve
Broider'd with pearls,' and brought it.
Then he bound

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Her token on his helmet, with a smile Saying, 'I never yet have done so much For any maiden living,' and the blood Sprang to her face and fill'd her with delight;

But left her all the paler when Lavaine Returning brought the yet-unblazon'd shield,

His brother's, which he gave to Lancelot, Who parted with his own to fair Elaine:

Do me this grace, my child, to have my shield

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In keeping till I come.' 'A grace to me,' She answer'd, 'twice to-day. I am your squire !'

Whereat Lavaine said laughing: 'Lily maid,

For fear our people call you lily maid
In earnest, let me bring your color back;
Once, twice, and thrice. Now get you hence
to bed;'

So kiss'd her, and Sir Lancelot his own hand,

And thus they moved away. She staid a minute,

Then made a sudden step to the gate, and there

Yet rosy-kindled with her brother's kiss Paused by the gateway, standing near the shield

In silence, while she watch'd their arms far-off

Sparkle, until they dipt below the downs. Then to her tower she climb'd, and took the shield,

There kept it, and so lived in fantasy.

Meanwhile the new companions past away

Far o'er the long backs of the bushless downs,

To where Sir Lancelot knew there lived a knight

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Not far from Camelot, now for forty years A hermit, who had pray'd, labor'd and pray'd,

And ever laboring had scoop'd himself
In the white rock a chapel and a hall
On massive columns, like a shore-cliff cave,
And cells and chambers. All were fair
and dry;

The green light from the meadows underneath

Struck up and lived along the milky roofs; And in the meadows tremulous aspen-trees And poplars made a noise of falling showers. And thither wending there that night they bode.

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But when the next day broke from underground,

And shot red fire and shadows thro' the

cave,