{ "id": "alfred-lord-tennyson/balin-and-balan", "title": "Balin and Balan", "ordinal": null, "subtitle": null, "poet": "Alfred, Lord Tennyson", "poet_slug": "alfred-lord-tennyson", "language": "en", "book": "Idylls of the King", "book_slug": "idylls-of-the-king", "book_kind": "volume", "sequence": 6, "container": null, "epigraph": null, "first_published": { "year": 1885, "venue": "Idylls of the King (1885)", "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.", "uncertain": false, "sources": [ "https://archive.org/details/idyllsofking00tenn", "https://github.com/standardebooks/alfred-lord-tennyson_idylls-of-the-king", "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/610" ] }, "source": { "kind": "standard-ebooks", "repo": "standardebooks/alfred-lord-tennyson_idylls-of-the-king", "file": "balin-and-balan.xhtml", "upstream": [ "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/610", "https://archive.org/details/idyllsofking00tenn", "https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/101901267" ], "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)" }, "verification": { "level": "structural-only", "last_checked": "2026-08-20" }, "stats": { "n_lines": 628, "n_stanzas": 48, "n_parts": 0, "longest_line_chars": 54, "max_indent": 0 }, "site_ready": true, "parts": [], "stanzas": [ [ { "text": "Pellam the King, who held and lost with Lot", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In that first war, and had his realm restored", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But rendered tributary, failed of late", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To send his tribute; wherefore Arthur called", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "His treasurer, one of many years, and spake,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Go thou with him and him and bring it to us,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest we should set one truer on his throne.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Man’s word is God in man.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "His Baron said", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“We go but harken: there be two strange knights", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Who sit near Camelot at a fountain-side,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A mile beneath the forest, challenging", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And overthrowing every knight who comes.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Wilt thou I undertake them as we pass,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And send them to thee?”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Arthur laughed upon him.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Old friend, too old to be so young, depart,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Delay not thou for aught, but let them sit,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Until they find a lustier than themselves.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "So these departed. Early, one fair dawn,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The light-winged spirit of his youth returned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "On Arthur’s heart; he armed himself and went,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So coming to the fountain-side beheld", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Balin and Balan sitting statuelike,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brethren, to right and left the spring, that down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From underneath a plume of lady-fern,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sang, and the sand danced at the bottom of it.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And on the right of Balin Balin’s horse", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was fast beside an alder, on the left", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Balan Balan’s near a poplartree.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fair Sirs,” said Arthur, “wherefore sit ye here?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Balin and Balan answered “For the sake", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of glory; we be mightier men than all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In Arthur’s court; that also have we proved;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For whatsoever knight against us came", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or I or he have easily overthrown.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I too,” said Arthur, “am of Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But rather proven in his Paynim wars", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than famous jousts; but see, or proven or not,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whether me likewise ye can overthrow.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Arthur lightly smote the brethren down,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And lightly so returned, and no man knew.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Balin rose, and Balan, and beside", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The carolling water set themselves again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And spake no word until the shadow turned;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When from the fringe of coppice round them burst", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A spangled pursuivant, and crying “Sirs,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rise, follow! ye be sent for by the King,”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They followed; whom when Arthur seeing asked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Tell me your names; why sat ye by the well?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Balin the stillness of a minute broke", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saying “An unmelodious name to thee,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Balin, ‘the Savage’⁠—that addition thine⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My brother and my better, this man here,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Balan. I smote upon the naked skull", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A thrall of thine in open hall, my hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was gauntleted, half slew him; for I heard", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He had spoken evil of me; thy just wrath", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sent me a three-years’ exile from thine eyes.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I have not lived my life delightsomely:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For I that did that violence to thy thrall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had often wrought some fury on myself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saving for Balan: those three kingless years", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Have past⁠—were wormwood-bitter to me. King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Methought that if we sat beside the well,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And hurled to ground what knight soever spurred", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Against us, thou would’st take me gladlier back,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And make, as ten-times worthier to be thine", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Than twenty Balins, Balan knight. I have said.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Not so⁠—not all. A man of thine today", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Abashed us both, and brake my boast. Thy will?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Said Arthur “Thou hast ever spoken truth;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy too fierce manhood would not let thee lie.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rise, my true knight. As children learn, be thou", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wiser for falling! walk with me, and move", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To music with thine Order and the King.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy chair, a grief to all the brethren, stands", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Vacant, but thou retake it, mine again!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thereafter, when Sir Balin entered hall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The Lost one Found was greeted as in Heaven", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With joy that blazed itself in woodland wealth", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of leaf, and gayest garlandage of flowers,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Along the walls and down the board; they sat,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And cup clashed cup; they drank and someone sang,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet-voiced, a song of welcome, whereupon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their common shout in chorus, mounting, made", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Those banners of twelve battles overhead", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stir, as they stirred of old, when Arthur’s host", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Proclaimed him Victor, and the day was won.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Balan added to their Order lived", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A wealthier life than heretofore with these", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And Balin, till their embassage returned.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Sir King,” they brought report, “we hardly found,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So bushed about it is with gloom, the hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of him to whom ye sent us, Pellam, once", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A Christless foe of thine as ever dashed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Horse against horse; but seeing that thy realm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath prospered in the name of Christ, the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Took, as in rival heat, to holy things;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And finds himself descended from the Saint", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Arimathaean Joseph; him who first", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Brought the great faith to Britain over seas;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He boasts his life as purer than thine own;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eats scarce enow to keep his pulse abeat;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath pushed aside his faithful wife, nor lets", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or dame or damsel enter at his gates", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lest he should be polluted. This gray King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Showed us a shrine wherein were wonders⁠—yea⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Rich arks with priceless bones of martyrdom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thorns of the crown and shivers of the cross,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And therewithal (for thus he told us) brought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By holy Joseph thither, that same spear", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wherewith the Roman pierced the side of Christ.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He much amazed us; after, when we sought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The tribute, answered ‘I have quite foregone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All matters of this world: Garlon, mine heir,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of him demand it,’ which this Garlon gave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With much ado, railing at thine and thee.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“But when we left, in those deep woods we found", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A knight of thine spear-stricken from behind,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dead, whom we buried; more than one of us", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cried out on Garlon, but a woodman there", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Reported of some demon in the woods", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was once a man, who driven by evil tongues", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From all his fellows, lived alone, and came", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To learn black magic, and to hate his kind", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With such a hate, that when he died, his soul", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Became a Fiend, which, as the man in life", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was wounded by blind tongues he saw not whence,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Strikes from behind. This woodman showed the cave", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From which he sallies, and wherein he dwelt.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "We saw the hoof-print of a horse, no more.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Arthur, “Let who goes before me, see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He do not fall behind me: foully slain", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And villainously! who will hunt for me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This demon of the woods?” Said Balan, “I!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So claimed the quest and rode away, but first,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Embracing Balin, “Good my brother, hear!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let not thy moods prevail, when I am gone", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who used to lay them! hold them outer fiends,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who leap at thee to tear thee; shake them aside,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dreams ruling when wit sleeps! yea, but to dream", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That any of these would wrong thee, wrongs thyself.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Witness their flowery welcome. Bound are they", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To speak no evil. Truly save for fears,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My fears for thee, so rich a fellowship", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would make me wholly blest: thou one of them,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Be one indeed: consider them, and all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their bearing in their common bond of love,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No more of hatred than in Heaven itself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "No more of jealousy than in Paradise.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So Balan warned, and went; Balin remained:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who⁠—for but three brief moons had glanced away", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From being knighted till he smote the thrall,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And faded from the presence into years", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of exile⁠—now would strictlier set himself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To learn what Arthur meant by courtesy,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Manhood, and knighthood; wherefore hovered round", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lancelot, but when he marked his high sweet smile", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In passing, and a transitory word", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Make knight or churl or child or damsel seem", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From being smiled at happier in themselves⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sighed, as a boy lame-born beneath a height,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That glooms his valley, sighs to see the peak", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sun-flushed, or touch at night the northern star;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For one from out his village lately climed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And brought report of azure lands and fair,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far seen to left and right; and he himself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath hardly scaled with help a hundred feet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Up from the base: so Balin marvelling oft", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "How far beyond him Lancelot seemed to move,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Groaned, and at times would mutter, “These be gifts,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Born with the blood, not learnable, divine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Beyond my reach. Well had I foughten⁠—well⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In those fierce wars, struck hard⁠—and had I crowned", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With my slain self the heaps of whom I slew⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So⁠—better!⁠—But this worship of the Queen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That honour too wherein she holds him⁠—this,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This was the sunshine that hath given the man", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A growth, a name that branches o’er the rest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And strength against all odds, and what the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So prizes⁠—overprizes⁠—gentleness.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Her likewise would I worship an I might.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I never can be close with her, as he", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That brought her hither. Shall I pray the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To let me bear some token of his Queen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereon to gaze, remembering her⁠—forget", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My heats and violences? live afresh?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "What, if the Queen disdained to grant it! nay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Being so stately-gentle, would she make", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My darkness blackness? and with how sweet grace", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "She greeted my return! Bold will I be⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Some goodly cognizance of Guinevere,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In lieu of this rough beast upon my shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Langued gules, and toothed with grinning savagery.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And Arthur, when Sir Balin sought him, said", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“What wilt thou bear?” Balin was bold, and asked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To bear her own crown-royal upon shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereat she smiled and turned her to the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who answered “Thou shalt put the crown to use.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The crown is but the shadow of the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And this a shadow’s shadow, let him have it,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So this will help him of his violences!”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“No shadow,” said Sir Balin, “O my Queen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But light to me! no shadow, O my King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But golden earnest of a gentler life!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "So Balin bare the crown, and all the knights", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Approved him, and the Queen, and all the world", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made music, and he felt his being move", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In music with his Order, and the King.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "The nightingale, full-toned in middle May,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath ever and anon a note so thin", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It seems another voice in other groves;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thus, after some quick burst of sudden wrath,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The music in him seemed to change, and grow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Faint and far-off.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "And once he saw the thrall", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His passion half had gauntleted to death,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "That causer of his banishment and shame,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Smile at him, as he deemed, presumptuously:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His arm half rose to strike again, but fell:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The memory of that cognizance on shield", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Weighted it down, but in himself he moaned:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“Too high this mount of Camelot for me:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "These high-set courtesies are not for me.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shall I not rather prove the worse for these?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fierier and stormier from restraining, break", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Into some madness even before the Queen?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thus, as a hearth lit in a mountain home,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And glancing on the window, when the gloom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of twilight deepens round it, seems a flame", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That rages in the woodland far below,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So when his moods were darkened, court and King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all the kindly warmth of Arthur’s hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shadowed an angry distance: yet he strove", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To learn the graces of their Table, fought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hard with himself, and seemed at length in peace.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then chanced, one morning, that Sir Balin sat", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Close-bowered in that garden nigh the hall.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A walk of roses ran from door to door;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A walk of lilies crost it to the bower:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And down that range of roses the great Queen", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came with slow steps, the morning on her face;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all in shadow from the counter door", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Lancelot as to meet her, then at once,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As if he saw not, glanced aside, and paced", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The long white walk of lilies toward the bower.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Followed the Queen; Sir Balin heard her “Prince,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Art thou so little loyal to thy Queen,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As pass without good morrow to thy Queen?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To whom Sir Lancelot with his eyes on earth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fain would I still be loyal to the Queen.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Yea so,” she said, “but so to pass me by⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So loyal scarce is loyal to thyself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom all men rate the king of courtesy.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let be: ye stand, fair lord, as in a dream.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Lancelot with his hand among the flowers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Yea⁠—for a dream. Last night methought I saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That maiden Saint who stands with lily in hand", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In yonder shrine. All round her prest the dark,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all the light upon her silver face", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Flowed from the spiritual lily that she held.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Lo! these her emblems drew mine eyes⁠—away:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "For see, how perfect-pure! As light a flush", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As hardly tints the blossom of the quince", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Would mar their charm of stainless maidenhood.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Sweeter to me,” she said, “this garden rose", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deep-hued and many-folded! sweeter still", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The wild-wood hyacinth and the bloom of May.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Prince, we have ridden before among the flowers", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In those fair days⁠—not all as cool as these,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though season-earlier. Art thou sad? or sick?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Our noble King will send thee his own leech⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sick? or for any matter angered at me?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Lancelot lifted his large eyes; they dwelt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deep-tranced on hers, and could not fall: her hue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Changed at his gaze: so turning side by side", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They past, and Balin started from his bower.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Queen? subject? but I see not what I see.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Damsel and lover? hear not what I hear.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My father hath begotten me in his wrath.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I suffer from the things before me, know,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Learn nothing; am not worthy to be knight;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A churl, a clown!” and in him gloom on gloom", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Deepened: he sharply caught his lance and shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor stayed to crave permission of the King,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But, mad for strange adventure, dashed away.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "He took the selfsame track as Balan, saw", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fountain where they sat together, sighed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Was I not better there with him?” and rode", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The skyless woods, but under open blue", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Came on the hoarhead woodman at a bough", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Wearily hewing. “Churl, thine axe!” he cried,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Descended, and disjointed it at a blow:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To whom the woodman uttered wonderingly", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Lord, thou couldst lay the Devil of these woods", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "If arm of flesh could lay him.” Balin cried", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Him, or the viler devil who plays his part,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To lay that devil would lay the Devil in me.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Nay,” said the churl, “our devil is a truth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I saw the flash of him but yestereven.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And some do say that our Sir Garlon too", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hath learned black magic, and to ride unseen.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Look to the cave.” But Balin answered him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Old fabler, these be fancies of the churl,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Look to thy woodcraft,” and so leaving him,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now with slack rein and careless of himself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now with dug spur and raving at himself,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Now with droopt brow down the long glades he rode;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So marked not on his right a cavern-chasm", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yawn over darkness, where, nor far within,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The whole day died, but, dying, gleamed on rocks", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Roof-pendent, sharp; and others from the floor,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tusklike, arising, made that mouth of night", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whereout the Demon issued up from Hell.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He marked not this, but blind and deaf to all", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Save that chained rage, which ever yelpt within,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Past eastward from the falling sun. At once", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He felt the hollow-beaten mosses thud", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And tremble, and then the shadow of a spear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shot from behind him, ran along the ground.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sideways he started from the path, and saw,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With pointed lance as if to pierce, a shape,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A light of armour by him flash, and pass", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And vanish in the woods; and followed this,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But all so blind in rage that unawares", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He burst his lance against a forest bough,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dishorsed himself, and rose again, and fled", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Far, till the castle of a King, the hall", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of Pellam, lichen-bearded, grayly draped", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With streaming grass, appeared, low-built but strong;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The ruinous donjon as a knoll of moss,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The battlement overtopt with ivytods,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A home of bats, in every tower an owl.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then spake the men of Pellam crying “Lord,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why wear ye this crown-royal upon shield?”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Said Balin “For the fairest and the best", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of ladies living gave me this to bear.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So stalled his horse, and strode across the court,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But found the greetings both of knight and King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Faint in the low dark hall of banquet: leaves", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Laid their green faces flat against the panes,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sprays grated, and the cankered boughs without", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whined in the wood; for all was hushed within,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Till when at feast Sir Garlon likewise asked", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Why wear ye that crown-royal?” Balin said", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“The Queen we worship, Lancelot, I, and all,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As fairest, best and purest, granted me", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To bear it!” Such a sound (for Arthur’s knights", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Were hated strangers in the hall) as makes", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The white swan-mother, sitting, when she hears", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A strange knee rustle through her secret reeds,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Made Garlon, hissing; then he sourly smiled.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Fairest I grant her: I have seen; but best,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Best, purest? thou from Arthur’s hall, and yet", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So simple! hast thou eyes, or if, are these", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So far besotted that they fail to see", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This fair wife-worship cloaks a secret shame?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Truly, ye men of Arthur be but babes.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "A goblet on the board by Balin, bossed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "With holy Joseph’s legend, on his right", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stood, all of massiest bronze: one side had sea", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And ship and sail and angels blowing on it:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And one was rough with wattling, and the walls", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Of that low church he built at Glastonbury.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This Balin graspt, but while in act to hurl,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Through memory of that token on the shield", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Relaxed his hold: “I will be gentle,” he thought,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“And passing gentle,” caught his hand away,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then fiercely to Sir Garlon “Eyes have I", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That saw today the shadow of a spear,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Shot from behind me, run along the ground;", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Eyes too that long have watched how Lancelot draws", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From homage to the best and purest, might,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Name, manhood, and a grace, but scantly thine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who, sitting in thine own hall, canst endure", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To mouth so huge a foulness⁠—to thy guest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Me, me of Arthur’s Table. Felon talk!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Let be! no more!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But not the less by night", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The scorn of Garlon, poisoning all his rest,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Stung him in dreams. At length, and dim through leaves", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Blinkt the white morn, sprays grated, and old boughs", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Whined in the wood. He rose, descended, met", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The scorner in the castle court, and fain,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "For hate and loathing, would have past him by;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But when Sir Garlon uttered mocking-wise;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“What, wear ye still that same crown-scandalous?”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His countenance blackened, and his forehead veins", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Bloated, and branched; and tearing out of sheath", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The brand, Sir Balin with a fiery “Ha!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "So thou be shadow, here I make thee ghost,”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hard upon helm smote him, and the blade flew", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Splintering in six, and clinkt upon the stones.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then Garlon, reeling slowly backward, fell,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And Balin by the banneret of his helm", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Dragged him, and struck, but from the castle a cry", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Sounded across the court, and⁠—men-at-arms,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A score with pointed lances, making at him⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "He dashed the pummel at the foremost face,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Beneath a low door dipt, and made his feet", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Wings through a glimmering gallery, till he marked", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The portal of King Pellam’s chapel wide", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And inward to the wall; he stept behind;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thence in a moment heard them pass like wolves", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Howling; but while he stared about the shrine,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In which he scarce could spy the Christ for Saints,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Beheld before a golden altar lie", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The longest lance his eyes had ever seen,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Point-painted red; and seizing thereupon", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Pushed through an open casement down, leaned on it,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Leapt in a semicircle, and lit on earth;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then hand at ear, and harkening from what side", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The blindfold rummage buried in the walls", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Might echo, ran the counter path, and found", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His charger, mounted on him and away.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "An arrow whizzed to the right, one to the left,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "One overhead; and Pellam’s feeble cry", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Stay, stay him! he defileth heavenly things", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With earthly uses”⁠—made him quickly dive", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Beneath the boughs, and race through many a mile", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Of dense and open, till his goodly horse,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Arising wearily at a fallen oak,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Stumbled headlong, and cast him face to ground.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Half-wroth he had not ended, but all glad,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Knightlike, to find his charger yet unlamed,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sir Balin drew the shield from off his neck,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stared at the priceless cognizance, and thought", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“I have shamed thee so that now thou shamest me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thee will I bear no more,” high on a branch", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hung it, and turned aside into the woods,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And there in gloom cast himself all along,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Moaning “My violences, my violences!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But now the wholesome music of the wood", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Was dumbed by one from out the hall of Mark,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A damsel-errant, warbling, as she rode", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The woodland alleys, Vivien, with her Squire.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“The fire of Heaven has killed the barren cold,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And kindled all the plain and all the wold.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The new leaf ever pushes off the old.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fire of Heaven is not the flame of Hell.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Old priest, who mumble worship in your quire⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Old monk and nun, ye scorn the world’s desire,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Yet in your frosty cells ye feel the fire!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fire of Heaven is not the flame of Hell.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“The fire of Heaven is on the dusty ways.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The wayside blossoms open to the blaze.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The whole wood-world is one full peal of praise.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fire of Heaven is not the flame of Hell.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“The fire of Heaven is lord of all things good,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And starve not thou this fire within thy blood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But follow Vivien through the fiery flood!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The fire of Heaven is not the flame of Hell!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then turning to her Squire: “This fire of Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This old sun-worship, boy, will rise again,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And beat the cross to earth, and break the King", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And all his Table.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then they reached a glade,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Where under one long lane of cloudless air", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Before another wood, the royal crown", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Sparkled, and swaying upon a restless elm", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Drew the vague glance of Vivien, and her Squire;", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Amazed were these; “Lo there,” she cried⁠—“a crown⁠—", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Borne by some high lord-prince of Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And there a horse! the rider? where is he?", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "See, yonder lies one dead within the wood.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Not dead; he stirs!⁠—but sleeping. I will speak.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hail, royal knight, we break on thy sweet rest,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Not, doubtless, all unearned by noble deeds.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But bounden art thou, if from Arthur’s hall,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To help the weak. Behold, I fly from shame,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "A lustful King, who sought to win my love", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Through evil ways: the knight, with whom I rode,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hath suffered misadventure, and my squire", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Hath in him small defence; but thou, Sir Prince,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Wilt surely guide me to the warrior King,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Arthur the blameless, pure as any maid,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "To get me shelter for my maidenhood.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I charge thee by that crown upon thy shield,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And by the great Queen’s name, arise and hence.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "And Balin rose, “Thither no more! nor Prince", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nor knight am I, but one that hath defamed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The cognizance she gave me: here I dwell", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Savage among the savage woods, here die⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Die: let the wolves’ black maws ensepulchre", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Their brother beast, whose anger was his lord.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "O me, that such a name as Guinevere’s,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Which our high Lancelot hath so lifted up,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And been thereby uplifted, should through me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My violence, and my villainy, come to shame.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Thereat she suddenly laughed and shrill, anon", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sighed all as suddenly. Said Balin to her", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Is this thy courtesy⁠—to mock me, ha?", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Hence, for I will not with thee.” Again she sighed", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "“Pardon, sweet lord! we maidens often laugh", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "When sick at heart, when rather we should weep.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I knew thee wronged. I brake upon thy rest,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And now full loth am I to break thy dream,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But thou art man, and canst abide a truth,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Though bitter. Hither, boy⁠—and mark me well.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dost thou remember at Caerleon once⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "A year ago⁠—nay, then I love thee not⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Ay, thou rememberest well⁠—one summer dawn⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "By the great tower⁠—Caerleon upon Usk⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Nay, truly we were hidden: this fair lord,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The flower of all their vestal knighthood, knelt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "In amorous homage⁠—knelt⁠—what else?⁠—O ay", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Knelt, and drew down from out his night-black hair", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And mumbled that white hand whose ringed caress", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Had wandered from her own King’s golden head,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And lost itself in darkness, till she cried⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I thought the great tower would crash down on both⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘Rise, my sweet King, and kiss me on the lips,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thou art my King.’ This lad, whose lightest word", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Is mere white truth in simple nakedness,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Saw them embrace: he reddens, cannot speak,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "So bashful, he! but all the maiden Saints,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The deathless mother-maidenhood of Heaven,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Cry out upon her. Up then, ride with me!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Talk not of shame! thou canst not, an thou would’st,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Do these more shame than these have done themselves.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "She lied with ease; but horror-stricken he,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Remembering that dark bower at Camelot,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Breathed in a dismal whisper: “It is truth.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Sunnily she smiled: “And even in this lone wood,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Sweet lord, ye do right well to whisper this.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Fools prate, and perish traitors. Woods have tongues,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "As walls have ears: but thou shalt go with me,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And we will speak at first exceeding low.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Meet is it the good King be not deceived.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "See now, I set thee high on vantage ground,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "From whence to watch the time, and eagle-like", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stoop at thy will on Lancelot and the Queen.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "She ceased; his evil spirit upon him leapt,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "He ground his teeth together, sprang with a yell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Tore from the branch, and cast on earth, the shield,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Drove his mailed heel athwart the royal crown,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Stampt all into defacement, hurled it from him", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Among the forest weeds, and cursed the tale,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The told-of, and the teller.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "That weird yell,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Unearthlier than all shriek of bird or beast,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Thrilled through the woods; and Balan lurking there", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "(His quest was unaccomplished) heard and thought", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“The scream of that Wood-devil I came to quell!”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Then nearing “Lo! he hath slain some brother-knight,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And tramples on the goodly shield to show", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "His loathing of our Order and the Queen.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "My quest, meseems, is here. Or devil or man", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Guard thou thine head.” Sir Balin spake not word,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "But snatched a sudden buckler from the Squire,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And vaulted on his horse, and so they crashed", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "In onset, and King Pellam’s holy spear,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Reputed to be red with sinless blood,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Redded at once with sinful, for the point", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Across the maiden shield of Balan pricked", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "The hauberk to the flesh; and Balin’s horse", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Was wearied to the death, and, when they clashed,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Rolling back upon Balin, crushed the man", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Inward, and either fell, and swooned away.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "Then to her Squire muttered the damsel: “Fools!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This fellow hath wrought some foulness with his Queen:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Else never had he borne her crown, nor raved", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And thus foamed over at a rival name:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "But thou, Sir Chick, that scarce hast broken shell,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Art yet half-yolk, not even come to down⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who never sawest Caerleon upon Usk⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And yet hast often pleaded for my love⁠—", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "See what I see, be thou where I have been,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Or else Sir Chick⁠—dismount and loose their casques", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I fain would know what manner of men they be.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And when the Squire had loosed them, “Goodly!⁠—look!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "They might have cropt the myriad flower of May,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And butt each other here, like brainless bulls,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dead for one heifer!”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then the gentle Squire", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“I hold them happy, so they died for love:", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "And, Vivien, though ye beat me like your dog,", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "I too could die, as now I live, for thee.”", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ], [ { "text": "“Live on, Sir Boy,” she cried. “I better prize", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The living dog than the dead lion: away!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I cannot brook to gaze upon the dead.”", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Then leapt her palfrey o’er the fallen oak,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And bounding forward “Leave them to the wolves.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "But when their foreheads felt the cooling air,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Balin first woke, and seeing that true face,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Familiar up from cradle-time, so wan,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Crawled slowly with low moans to where he lay,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And on his dying brother cast himself", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Dying; and he lifted faint eyes; he felt", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "One near him; all at once they found the world,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Staring wild-wide; then with a childlike wail", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And drawing down the dim disastrous brow", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "That o’er him hung, he kissed it, moaned and spake;", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O Balin, Balin, I that fain had died", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "To save thy life, have brought thee to thy death.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Why had ye not the shield I knew? and why", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Trampled ye thus on that which bare the Crown?”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Then Balin told him brokenly, and in gasps,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "All that had chanced, and Balan moaned again.", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“Brother, I dwelt a day in Pellam’s hall:", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "This Garlon mocked me, but I heeded not.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And one said ‘Eat in peace! a liar is he,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And hates thee for the tribute!’ this good knight", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Told me, that twice a wanton damsel came,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And sought for Garlon at the castle-gates,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Whom Pellam drove away with holy heat.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I well believe this damsel, and the one", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Who stood beside thee even now, the same.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "‘She dwells among the woods,’ he said, ‘and meets", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "And dallies with him in the Mouth of Hell.’", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Foul are their lives; foul are their lips; they lied.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Pure as our own true Mother is our Queen.’ ”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "“O brother,” answered Balin, “woe is me!", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "My madness all thy life has been thy doom,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Thy curse, and darkened all thy day; and now", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "The night has come. I scarce can see thee now.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Goodnight! for we shall never bid again", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Goodmorrow⁠—Dark my doom was here, and dark", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "It will be there. I see thee now no more.", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "I would not mine again should darken thine,", "indent": 0 }, { "text": "Goodnight, true brother.”", "indent": 0 } ], [ { "text": "Balan answered low", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "“Goodnight, true brother here! goodmorrow there!", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "We two were born together, and we die", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Together by one doom:” and while he spoke", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "Closed his death-drowsing eyes, and slept the sleep", "indent": 0, "align": "right" }, { "text": "With Balin, either locked in either’s arm.", "indent": 0, "align": "right" } ] ] }