{
 "id": "alfred-lord-tennyson/lancelot-and-elaine",
 "title": "Lancelot and Elaine",
 "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": 8,
 "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": "lancelot-and-elaine.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": 1429,
  "n_stanzas": 78,
  "n_parts": 0,
  "longest_line_chars": 61,
  "max_indent": 0
 },
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 "stanzas": [
  [
   {
    "text": "Elaine the fair, Elaine the loveable,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Elaine, the lily maid of Astolat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "High in her chamber up a tower to the east",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Guarded the sacred shield of Lancelot;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which first she placed where the morning’s earliest ray",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Might strike it, and awake her with the gleam;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then fearing rust or soilure fashioned for it",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A case of silk, and braided thereupon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All the devices blazoned on the shield",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In their own tinct, and added, of her wit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A border fantasy of branch and flower,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And yellow-throated nestling in the nest.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor rested thus content, but day by day,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leaving her household and good father, climbed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That eastern tower, and entering barred her door,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stript off the case, and read the naked shield,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Now guessed a hidden meaning in his arms,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Now made a pretty history to herself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of every dint a sword had beaten in it,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And every scratch a lance had made upon it,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Conjecturing when and where: this cut is fresh;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That ten years back; this dealt him at Caerlyle;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That at Caerleon; this at Camelot:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ah God’s mercy, what a stroke was there!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And here a thrust that might have killed, but God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Broke the strong lance, and rolled his enemy down,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And saved him: so she lived in fantasy.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "How came the lily maid by that good shield",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Lancelot, she that knew not even his name?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He left it with her, when he rode to tilt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For the great diamond in the diamond jousts,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which Arthur had ordained, and by that name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had named them, since a diamond was the prize.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "For Arthur, long before they crowned him King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Roving the trackless realms of Lyonnesse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had found a glen, gray boulder and black tarn.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A horror lived about the tarn, and clave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Like its own mists to all the mountain side:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For here two brothers, one a king, had met",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And fought together; but their names were lost;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And each had slain his brother at a blow;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And down they fell and made the glen abhorred:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there they lay till all their bones were bleached,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lichened into colour with the crags:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And he, that once was king, had on a crown",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of diamonds, one in front, and four aside.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Arthur came, and labouring up the pass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All in a misty moonshine, unawares",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had trodden that crowned skeleton, and the skull",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Brake from the nape, and from the skull the crown",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rolled into light, and turning on its rims",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fled like a glittering rivulet to the tarn:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And down the shingly scaur he plunged, and caught,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And set it on his head, and in his heart",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Heard murmurs, “Lo, thou likewise shalt be King.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Thereafter, when a King, he had the gems",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Plucked from the crown, and showed them to his knights,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Saying, “These jewels, whereupon I chanced",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Divinely, are the kingdom’s, not the King’s⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For public use: henceforward let there be,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Once every year, a joust for one of these:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For so by nine years’ proof we needs must learn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which is our mightiest, and ourselves shall grow",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In use of arms and manhood, till we drive",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The heathen, who, some say, shall rule the land",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hereafter, which God hinder.” Thus he spoke:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And eight years past, eight jousts had been, and still",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had Lancelot won the diamond of the year,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With purpose to present them to the Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When all were won; but meaning all at once",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To snare her royal fancy with a boon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Worth half her realm, had never spoken word.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Now for the central diamond and the last",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And largest, Arthur, holding then his court",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hard on the river nigh the place which now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is this world’s hugest, let proclaim a joust",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At Camelot, and when the time drew nigh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Spake (for she had been sick) to Guinevere,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Are you so sick, my Queen, you cannot move",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To these fair jousts?” “Yea, lord,” she said, “ye know it.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Then will ye miss,” he answered, “the great deeds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Lancelot, and his prowess in the lists,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A sight ye love to look on.” And the Queen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lifted her eyes, and they dwelt languidly",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On Lancelot, where he stood beside the King.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He thinking that he read her meaning there,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Stay with me, I am sick; my love is more",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than many diamonds,” yielded; and a heart",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Love-loyal to the least wish of the Queen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(However much he yearned to make complete",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The tale of diamonds for his destined boon)",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Urged him to speak against the truth, and say,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Sir King, mine ancient wound is hardly whole,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lets me from the saddle;” and the King",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Glanced first at him, then her, and went his way.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No sooner gone than suddenly she began:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“To blame, my lord Sir Lancelot, much to blame!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Why go ye not to these fair jousts? the knights",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Are half of them our enemies, and the crowd",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will murmur, ‘Lo the shameless ones, who take",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their pastime now the trustful King is gone!’ ”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then Lancelot vext at having lied in vain:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Are ye so wise? ye were not once so wise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My Queen, that summer, when ye loved me first.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then of the crowd ye took no more account",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than of the myriad cricket of the mead,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When its own voice clings to each blade of grass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And every voice is nothing. As to knights,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Them surely can I silence with all ease.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But now my loyal worship is allowed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of all men: many a bard, without offence,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Has linked our names together in his lay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lancelot, the flower of bravery, Guinevere,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The pearl of beauty: and our knights at feast",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Have pledged us in this union, while the King",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would listen smiling. How then? is there more?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Has Arthur spoken aught? or would yourself,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Now weary of my service and devoir,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Henceforth be truer to your faultless lord?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "She broke into a little scornful laugh:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Arthur, my lord, Arthur, the faultless King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That passionate perfection, my good lord⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But who can gaze upon the Sun in heaven?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He never spake word of reproach to me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He never had a glimpse of mine untruth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He cares not for me: only here today",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There gleamed a vague suspicion in his eyes:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some meddling rogue has tampered with him⁠—else",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rapt in this fancy of his Table Round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And swearing men to vows impossible,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make them like himself: but, friend, to me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He is all fault who hath no fault at all:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For who loves me must have a touch of earth;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The low sun makes the colour: I am yours,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not Arthur’s, as ye know, save by the bond.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore hear my words: go to the jousts:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The tiny-trumpeting gnat can break our dream",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When sweetest; and the vermin voices here",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "May buzz so loud⁠—we scorn them, but they sting.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then answered Lancelot, the chief of knights:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“And with what face, after my pretext made,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shall I appear, O Queen, at Camelot, I",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before a King who honours his own word,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As if it were his God’s?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Yea,” said the Queen,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“A moral child without the craft to rule,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Else had he not lost me: but listen to me,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "If I must find you wit: we hear it said",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "That men go down before your spear at a touch,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "But knowing you are Lancelot; your great name,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "This conquers: hide it therefore; go unknown:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Win! by this kiss you will: and our true King",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Will then allow your pretext, O my knight,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "As all for glory; for to speak him true,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Ye know right well, how meek soe’er he seem,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "No keener hunter after glory breathes.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "He loves it in his knights more than himself:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "They prove to him his work: win and return.”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then got Sir Lancelot suddenly to horse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wroth at himself. Not willing to be known,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He left the barren-beaten thoroughfare,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Chose the green path that showed the rarer foot,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there among the solitary downs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full often lost in fancy, lost his way;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till as he traced a faintly-shadowed track,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That all in loops and links among the dales",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ran to the Castle of Astolat, he saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fired from the west, far on a hill, the towers.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thither he made, and blew the gateway horn.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then came an old, dumb, myriad-wrinkled man,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who let him into lodging and disarmed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot marvelled at the wordless man;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And issuing found the Lord of Astolat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With two strong sons, Sir Torre and Sir Lavaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Moving to meet him in the castle court;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And close behind them stept the lily maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Elaine, his daughter: mother of the house",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There was not: some light jest among them rose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With laughter dying down as the great knight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Approached them: then the Lord of Astolat:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Whence comes thou, my guest, and by what name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Livest thou between the lips? for by thy state",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And presence I might guess thee chief of those,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "After the King, who eat in Arthur’s halls.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Him have I seen: the rest, his Table Round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Known as they are, to me they are unknown.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then answered Sir Lancelot, the chief of knights:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Known am I, and of Arthur’s hall, and known,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What I by mere mischance have brought, my shield.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But since I go to joust as one unknown",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At Camelot for the diamond, ask me not,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hereafter ye shall know me⁠—and the shield⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I pray you lend me one, if such you have,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Blank, or at least with some device not mine.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then said the Lord of Astolat, “Here is Torre’s:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hurt in his first tilt was my son, Sir Torre.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And so, God wot, his shield is blank enough.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His ye can have.” Then added plain Sir Torre,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Yea, since I cannot use it, ye may have it.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Here laughed the father saying, “Fie, Sir Churl,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is that answer for a noble knight?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Allow him! but Lavaine, my younger here,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He is so full of lustihood, he will ride,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Joust for it, and win, and bring it in an hour,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And set it in this damsel’s golden hair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make her thrice as wilful as before.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Nay, father, nay good father, shame me not",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before this noble knight,” said young Lavaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“For nothing. Surely I but played on Torre:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He seemed so sullen, vext he could not go:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A jest, no more! for, knight, the maiden dreamt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That someone put this diamond in her hand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And that it was too slippery to be held,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And slipt and fell into some pool or stream,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The castle-well, belike; and then I said",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That if I went and if I fought and won it",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(But all was jest and joke among ourselves)",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then must she keep it safelier. All was jest.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But, father, give me leave, an if he will,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To ride to Camelot with this noble knight:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Win shall I not, but do my best to win:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Young as I am, yet would I do my best.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“So will ye grace me,” answered Lancelot,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Smiling a moment, “with your fellowship",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O’er these waste downs whereon I lost myself,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then were I glad of you as guide and friend:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And you shall win this diamond⁠—as I hear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It is a fair large diamond⁠—if ye may,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And yield it to this maiden, if ye will.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“A fair large diamond,” added plain Sir Torre,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Such be for queens, and not for simple maids.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then she, who held her eyes upon the ground,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Elaine, and heard her name so tost about,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Flushed slightly at the slight disparagement",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Before the stranger knight, who, looking at her,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full courtly, yet not falsely, thus returned:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“If what is fair be but for what is fair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And only queens are to be counted so,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rash were my judgment then, who deem this maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Might wear as fair a jewel as is on earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not violating the bond of like to like.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He spoke and ceased: the lily maid Elaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Won by the mellow voice before she looked,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lifted her eyes, and read his lineaments.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The great and guilty love he bare the Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In battle with the love he bare his lord,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had marred his face, and marked it ere his time.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Another sinning on such heights with one,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The flower of all the west and all the world,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had been the sleeker for it: but in him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His mood was often like a fiend, and rose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And drove him into wastes and solitudes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For agony, who was yet a living soul.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Marred as he was, he seemed the goodliest man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That ever among ladies ate in hall,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And noblest, when she lifted up her eyes.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "However marred, of more than twice her years,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seamed with an ancient swordcut on the cheek,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And bruised and bronzed, she lifted up her eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And loved him, with that love which was her doom.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then the great knight, the darling of the court,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Loved of the loveliest, into that rude hall",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stept with all grace, and not with half disdain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hid under grace, as in a smaller time,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But kindly man moving among his kind:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whom they with meats and vintage of their best",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And talk and minstrel melody entertained.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And much they asked of court and Table Round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ever well and readily answered he:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But Lancelot, when they glanced at Guinevere,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Suddenly speaking of the wordless man,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Heard from the Baron that, ten years before,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The heathen caught and reft him of his tongue.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“He learnt and warned me of their fierce design",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Against my house, and him they caught and maimed;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But I, my sons, and little daughter fled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From bonds or death, and dwelt among the woods",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By the great river in a boatman’s hut.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dull days were those, till our good Arthur broke",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Pagan yet once more on Badon hill.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“O there, great lord, doubtless,” Lavaine said, rapt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By all the sweet and sudden passion of youth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Toward greatness in its elder, “you have fought.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O tell us⁠—for we live apart⁠—you know",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Arthur’s glorious wars.” And Lancelot spoke",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And answered him at full, as having been",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With Arthur in the fight which all day long",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rang by the white mouth of the violent Glem;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And in the four loud battles by the shore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Duglas; that on Bassa; then the war",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That thundered in and out the gloomy skirts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Celidon the forest; and again",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By castle Gurnion, where the glorious King",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had on his cuirass worn our Lady’s Head,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Carved of one emerald centered in a sun",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of silver rays, that lightened as he breathed;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And at Caerleon had he helped his lord,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When the strong neighings of the wild white Horse",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Set every gilded parapet shuddering;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And up in Agned-Cathregonion too,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And down the waste sand-shores of Trath Treroit,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where many a heathen fell; “and on the mount",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Badon I myself beheld the King",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Charge at the head of all his Table Round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all his legions crying Christ and him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And break them; and I saw him, after, stand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "High on a heap of slain, from spur to plume",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Red as the rising sun with heathen blood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And seeing me, with a great voice he cried,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "‘They are broken, they are broken!’ for the King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "However mild he seems at home, nor cares",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For triumph in our mimic wars, the jousts⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For if his own knight cast him down, he laughs",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Saying, his knights are better men than he⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet in this heathen war the fire of God",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fills him: I never saw his like: there lives",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No greater leader.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "While he uttered this,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Low to her own heart said the lily maid,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Save your own great self, fair lord;” and when he fell",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "From talk of war to traits of pleasantry⁠—",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Being mirthful he, but in a stately kind⁠—",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "She still took note that when the living smile",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Died from his lips, across him came a cloud",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Of melancholy severe, from which again,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Whenever in her hovering to and fro",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "The lily maid had striven to make him cheer,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "There brake a sudden-beaming tenderness",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Of manners and of nature: and she thought",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "That all was nature, all, perchance, for her.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And all night long his face before her lived,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "As when a painter, poring on a face,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Divinely through all hindrance finds the man",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Behind it, and so paints him that his face,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "The shape and colour of a mind and life,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Lives for his children, ever at its best",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And fullest; so the face before her lived,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Dark-splendid, speaking in the silence, full",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Of noble things, and held her from her sleep.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Till rathe she rose, half-cheated in the thought",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "She needs must bid farewell to sweet Lavaine.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "First in fear, step after step, she stole",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Down the long tower-stairs, hesitating:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Anon, she heard Sir Lancelot cry in the court,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“This shield, my friend, where is it?” and Lavaine",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Past inward, as she came from out the tower.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "There to his proud horse Lancelot turned, and smoothed",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "The glossy shoulder, humming to himself.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Half-envious of the flattering hand, she drew",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Nearer and stood. He looked, and more amazed",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Than if seven men had set upon him, saw",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "The maiden standing in the dewy light.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "He had not dreamed she was so beautiful.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then came on him a sort of sacred fear,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "For silent, though he greeted her, she stood",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Rapt on his face as if it were a God’s.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Suddenly flashed on her a wild desire,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "That he should wear her favour at the tilt.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "She braved a riotous heart in asking for it.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Fair lord, whose name I know not⁠—noble it is,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "I well believe, the noblest⁠—will you wear",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "My favour at this tourney?” “Nay,” said he,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Fair lady, since I never yet have worn",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Favour of any lady in the lists.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Such is my wont, as those, who know me, know.”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Yea, so,” she answered; “then in wearing mine",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Needs must be lesser likelihood, noble lord,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "That those who know should know you.” And he turned",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Her counsel up and down within his mind,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And found it true, and answered, “True, my child.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Well, I will wear it: fetch it out to me:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "What is it?” and she told him “A red sleeve",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Broidered with pearls,” and brought it: then he bound",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Her token on his helmet, with a smile",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Saying, “I never yet have done so much",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "For any maiden living,” and the blood",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Sprang to her face and filled her with delight;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "But left her all the paler, when Lavaine",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Returning brought the yet-unblazoned shield,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "His brother’s; which he gave to Lancelot,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Who parted with his own to fair Elaine:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Do me this grace, my child, to have my shield",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "In keeping till I come.” “A grace to me,”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "She answered, “twice today. I am your squire!”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereat Lavaine said, laughing, “Lily maid,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "For fear our people call you lily maid",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "In earnest, let me bring your colour back;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Once, twice, and thrice: now get you hence to bed:”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "So kissed her, and Sir Lancelot his own hand,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And thus they moved away: she stayed a minute,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then made a sudden step to the gate, and there⁠—",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Her bright hair blown about the serious face",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet rosy-kindled with her brother’s kiss⁠—",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Paused by the gateway, standing near the shield",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "In silence, while she watched their arms far-off",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Sparkle, until they dipt below the downs.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then to her tower she climbed, and took the shield,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "There kept it, and so lived in fantasy.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Meanwhile the new companions past away",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far o’er the long backs of the bushless downs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To where Sir Lancelot knew there lived a knight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not far from Camelot, now for forty years",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A hermit, who had prayed, laboured and prayed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ever labouring had scooped himself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the white rock a chapel and a hall",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On massive columns, like a shore-cliff cave,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And cells and chambers: all were fair and dry;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The green light from the meadows underneath",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Struck up and lived along the milky roofs;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And in the meadows tremulous aspen-trees",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And poplars made a noise of falling showers.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And thither wending there that night they bode.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when the next day broke from underground,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And shot red fire and shadows through the cave,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They rose, heard mass, broke fast, and rode away:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then Lancelot saying, “Hear, but hold my name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hidden, you ride with Lancelot of the Lake,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Abashed young Lavaine, whose instant reverence,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dearer to true young hearts than their own praise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But left him leave to stammer, “Is it indeed?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And after muttering “The great Lancelot,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At last he got his breath and answered, “One,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One have I seen⁠—that other, our liege lord,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The dread Pendragon, Britain’s King of kings,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of whom the people talk mysteriously,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He will be there⁠—then were I stricken blind",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That minute, I might say that I had seen.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So spake Lavaine, and when they reached the lists",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By Camelot in the meadow, let his eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Run through the peopled gallery which half round",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay like a rainbow fallen upon the grass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Until they found the clear-faced King, who sat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Robed in red samite, easily to be known,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Since to his crown the golden dragon clung,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And down his robe the dragon writhed in gold,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And from the carven-work behind him crept",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Two dragons gilded, sloping down to make",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Arms for his chair, while all the rest of them",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through knots and loops and folds innumerable",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fled ever through the woodwork, till they found",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The new design wherein they lost themselves,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet with all ease, so tender was the work:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, in the costly canopy o’er him set,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Blazed the last diamond of the nameless king.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then Lancelot answered young Lavaine and said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Me you call great: mine is the firmer seat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The truer lance: but there is many a youth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Now crescent, who will come to all I am",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And overcome it; and in me there dwells",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No greatness, save it be some far-off touch",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of greatness to know well I am not great:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There is the man.” And Lavaine gaped upon him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As on a thing miraculous, and anon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The trumpets blew; and then did either side,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They that assailed, and they that held the lists,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Set lance in rest, strike spur, suddenly move,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meet in the midst, and there so furiously",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shock, that a man far-off might well perceive,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If any man that day were left afield,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The hard earth shake, and a low thunder of arms.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot bode a little, till he saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Which were the weaker; then he hurled into it",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Against the stronger: little need to speak",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Lancelot in his glory! King, duke, earl,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Count, baron⁠—whom he smote, he overthrew.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But in the field were Lancelot’s kith and kin,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ranged with the Table Round that held the lists,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Strong men, and wrathful that a stranger knight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Should do and almost overdo the deeds",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Lancelot; and one said to the other, “Lo!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What is he? I do not mean the force alone⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The grace and versatility of the man!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is it not Lancelot?” “When has Lancelot worn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Favour of any lady in the lists?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not such his wont, as we, that know him, know.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“How then? who then?” a fury seized them all,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A fiery family passion for the name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Lancelot, and a glory one with theirs.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They couched their spears and pricked their steeds, and thus,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their plumes driven backward by the wind they made",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In moving, all together down upon him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bare, as a wild wave in the wide North-sea,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Green-glimmering toward the summit, bears, with all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Its stormy crests that smoke against the skies,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down on a bark, and overbears the bark,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And him that helms it, so they overbore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sir Lancelot and his charger, and a spear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down-glancing lamed the charger, and a spear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pricked sharply his own cuirass, and the head",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pierced through his side, and there snapt, and remained.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then Sir Lavaine did well and worshipfully;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He bore a knight of old repute to the earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And brought his horse to Lancelot where he lay.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He up the side, sweating with agony, got,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But thought to do while he might yet endure,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And being lustily holpen by the rest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His party⁠—though it seemed half-miracle",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To those he fought with⁠—drave his kith and kin,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the Table Round that held the lists,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Back to the barrier; then the trumpets blew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Proclaiming his the prize, who wore the sleeve",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of scarlet, and the pearls; and all the knights,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His party, cried “Advance and take thy prize",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The diamond;” but he answered, “Diamond me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No diamonds! for God’s love, a little air!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Prize me no prizes, for my prize is death!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hence will I, and I charge you, follow me not.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He spoke, and vanished suddenly from the field",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With young Lavaine into the poplar grove.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There from his charger down he slid, and sat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gasping to Sir Lavaine, “Draw the lance-head:”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ah my sweet lord Sir Lancelot,” said Lavaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“I dread me, if I draw it, you will die.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But he, “I die already with it: draw⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Draw,”⁠—and Lavaine drew, and Sir Lancelot gave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A marvellous great shriek and ghastly groan,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And half his blood burst forth, and down he sank",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For the pure pain, and wholly swooned away.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then came the hermit out and bare him in,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There stanched his wound; and there, in daily doubt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whether to live or die, for many a week",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hid from the wide world’s rumour by the grove",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of poplars with their noise of falling showers,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ever-tremulous aspen-trees, he lay.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But on that day when Lancelot fled the lists,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His party, knights of utmost North and West,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lords of waste marches, kings of desolate isles,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came round their great Pendragon, saying to him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Lo, Sire, our knight, through whom we won the day,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hath gone sore wounded, and hath left his prize",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Untaken, crying that his prize is death.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Heaven hinder,” said the King, “that such an one,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So great a knight as we have seen today⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He seemed to me another Lancelot⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yea, twenty times I thought him Lancelot⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He must not pass uncared for. Wherefore, rise,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O Gawain, and ride forth and find the knight.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wounded and wearied needs must he be near.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I charge you that you get at once to horse.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, knights and kings, there breathes not one of you",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will deem this prize of ours is rashly given:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His prowess was too wondrous. We will do him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No customary honour: since the knight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came not to us, of us to claim the prize,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ourselves will send it after. Rise and take",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This diamond, and deliver it, and return,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And bring us where he is, and how he fares,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And cease not from your quest until ye find.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So saying, from the carven flower above,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To which it made a restless heart, he took,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And gave, the diamond: then from where he sat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At Arthur’s right, with smiling face arose,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With smiling face and frowning heart, a Prince",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the mid might and flourish of his May,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gawain, surnamed The Courteous, fair and strong,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And after Lancelot, Tristram, and Geraint",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Gareth, a good knight, but therewithal",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sir Modred’s brother, and the child of Lot,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor often loyal to his word, and now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wroth that the King’s command to sally forth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In quest of whom he knew not, made him leave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The banquet, and concourse of knights and kings.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So all in wrath he got to horse and went;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "While Arthur to the banquet, dark in mood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Past, thinking “Is it Lancelot who hath come",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Despite the wound he spake of, all for gain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of glory, and hath added wound to wound,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ridden away to die?” So feared the King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, after two days’ tarriance there, returned.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then when he saw the Queen, embracing asked,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Love, are you yet so sick?” “Nay, lord,” she said.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“And where is Lancelot?” Then the Queen amazed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Was he not with you? won he not your prize?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Nay, but one like him.” “Why that like was he.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the King demanded how she knew,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Said, “Lord, no sooner had ye parted from us,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than Lancelot told me of a common talk",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That men went down before his spear at a touch,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But knowing he was Lancelot; his great name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Conquered; and therefore would he hide his name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From all men, even the King, and to this end",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had made a pretext of a hindering wound,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That he might joust unknown of all, and learn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If his old prowess were in aught decayed;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And added, ‘Our true Arthur, when he learns,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will well allow me pretext, as for gain",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of purer glory.’ ”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then replied the King:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Far lovelier in our Lancelot had it been,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "In lieu of idly dallying with the truth,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "To have trusted me as he hath trusted thee.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Surely his King and most familiar friend",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Might well have kept his secret. True, indeed,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Albeit I know my knights fantastical,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "So fine a fear in our large Lancelot",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Must needs have moved my laughter: now remains",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "But little cause for laughter: his own kin⁠—",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Ill news, my Queen, for all who love him, this!⁠—",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "His kith and kin, not knowing, set upon him;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "So that he went sore wounded from the field:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet good news too: for goodly hopes are mine",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "That Lancelot is no more a lonely heart.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "He wore, against his wont, upon his helm",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "A sleeve of scarlet, broidered with great pearls,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Some gentle maiden’s gift.”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Yea, lord,” she said,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Thy hopes are mine,” and saying that, she choked,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And sharply turned about to hide her face,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Past to her chamber, and there flung herself",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Down on the great King’s couch, and writhed upon it,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And clenched her fingers till they bit the palm,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And shrieked out “Traitor” to the unhearing wall,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then flashed into wild tears, and rose again,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And moved about her palace, proud and pale.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Gawain the while through all the region round",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rode with his diamond, wearied of the quest,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Touched at all points, except the poplar grove,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And came at last, though late, to Astolat:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whom glittering in enamelled arms the maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Glanced at, and cried, “What news from Camelot, lord?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What of the knight with the red sleeve?” “He won.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“I knew it,” she said. “But parted from the jousts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hurt in the side,” whereat she caught her breath;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Through her own side she felt the sharp lance go;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thereon she smote her hand: wellnigh she swooned:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, while he gazed wonderingly at her, came",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Lord of Astolat out, to whom the Prince",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Reported who he was, and on what quest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sent, that he bore the prize and could not find",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The victor, but had ridden a random round",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To seek him, and had wearied of the search.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To whom the Lord of Astolat, “Bide with us,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And ride no more at random, noble Prince!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Here was the knight, and here he left a shield;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This will he send or come for: furthermore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our son is with him; we shall hear anon,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Needs must hear.” To this the courteous Prince",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Accorded with his wonted courtesy,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Courtesy with a touch of traitor in it,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And stayed; and cast his eyes on fair Elaine:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where could be found face daintier? then her shape",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From forehead down to foot, perfect⁠—again",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From foot to forehead exquisitely turned:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Well⁠—if I bide, lo! this wild flower for me!”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And oft they met among the garden yews,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there he set himself to play upon her",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With sallying wit, free flashes from a height",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Above her, graces of the court, and songs,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sighs, and slow smiles, and golden eloquence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And amorous adulation, till the maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rebelled against it, saying to him, “Prince,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O loyal nephew of our noble King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Why ask you not to see the shield he left,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whence you might learn his name? Why slight your King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lose the quest he sent you on, and prove",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No surer than our falcon yesterday,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who lost the hern we slipt her at, and went",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To all the winds?” “Nay, by mine head,” said he,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“I lose it, as we lose the lark in heaven,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O damsel, in the light of your blue eyes;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But an ye will it let me see the shield.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the shield was brought, and Gawain saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sir Lancelot’s azure lions, crowned with gold,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ramp in the field, he smote his thigh, and mocked:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Right was the King! our Lancelot! that true man!”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“And right was I,” she answered merrily, “I,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who dreamed my knight the greatest knight of all.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“And if I dreamed,” said Gawain, “that you love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This greatest knight, your pardon! lo, ye know it!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Speak therefore: shall I waste myself in vain?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full simple was her answer, “What know I?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My brethren have been all my fellowship;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And I, when often they have talked of love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wished it had been my mother, for they talked,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meseemed, of what they knew not; so myself⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I know not if I know what true love is,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But if I know, then, if I love not him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I know there is none other I can love.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Yea, by God’s death,” said he, “ye love him well,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But would not, knew ye what all others know,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And whom he loves.” “So be it,” cried Elaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lifted her fair face and moved away:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But he pursued her, calling, “Stay a little!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One golden minute’s grace! he wore your sleeve:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would he break faith with one I may not name?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must our true man change like a leaf at last?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nay⁠—like enow: why then, far be it from me",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To cross our mighty Lancelot in his loves!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, damsel, for I deem you know full well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where your great knight is hidden, let me leave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My quest with you; the diamond also: here!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For if you love, it will be sweet to give it;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And if he love, it will be sweet to have it",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From your own hand; and whether he love or not,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A diamond is a diamond. Fare you well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A thousand times!⁠—a thousand times farewell!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet, if he love, and his love hold, we two",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "May meet at court hereafter: there, I think,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So ye will learn the courtesies of the court,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "We two shall know each other.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then he gave,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And slightly kissed the hand to which he gave,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "The diamond, and all wearied of the quest",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Leapt on his horse, and carolling as he went",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "A true-love ballad, lightly rode away.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Thence to the court he past; there told the King",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What the King knew, “Sir Lancelot is the knight.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And added, “Sire, my liege, so much I learnt;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But failed to find him, though I rode all round",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The region: but I lighted on the maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whose sleeve he wore; she loves him; and to her,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deeming our courtesy is the truest law,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I gave the diamond: she will render it;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For by mine head she knows his hiding-place.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The seldom-frowning King frowned, and replied,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Too courteous truly! ye shall go no more",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On quest of mine, seeing that ye forget",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Obedience is the courtesy due to kings.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He spake and parted. Wroth, but all in awe,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For twenty strokes of the blood, without a word,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lingered that other, staring after him;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then shook his hair, strode off, and buzzed abroad",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "About the maid of Astolat, and her love.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All ears were pricked at once, all tongues were loosed:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“The maid of Astolat loves Sir Lancelot,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sir Lancelot loves the maid of Astolat.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Some read the King’s face, some the Queen’s, and all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had marvel what the maid might be, but most",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Predoomed her as unworthy. One old dame",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came suddenly on the Queen with the sharp news.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She, that had heard the noise of it before,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But sorrowing Lancelot should have stooped so low,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Marred her friend’s aim with pale tranquillity.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So ran the tale like fire about the court,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Fire in dry stubble a nine-days’ wonder flared:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till even the knights at banquet twice or thrice",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forgot to drink to Lancelot and the Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And pledging Lancelot and the lily maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Smiled at each other, while the Queen, who sat",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With lips severely placid, felt the knot",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Climb in her throat, and with her feet unseen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Crushed the wild passion out against the floor",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beneath the banquet, where all the meats became",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As wormwood, and she hated all who pledged.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But far away the maid in Astolat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her guiltless rival, she that ever kept",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The one-day-seen Sir Lancelot in her heart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Crept to her father, while he mused alone,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sat on his knee, stroked his gray face and said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Father, you call me wilful, and the fault",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is yours who let me have my will, and now,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweet father, will you let me lose my wits?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Nay,” said he, “surely.” “Wherefore, let me hence,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She answered, “and find out our dear Lavaine.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ye will not lose your wits for dear Lavaine:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bide,” answered he: “we needs must hear anon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of him, and of that other.” “Ay,” she said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“And of that other, for I needs must hence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And find that other, wheresoe’er he be,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And with mine own hand give his diamond to him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lest I be found as faithless in the quest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As yon proud Prince who left the quest to me.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweet father, I behold him in my dreams",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gaunt as it were the skeleton of himself,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Death-pale, for lack of gentle maiden’s aid.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The gentler-born the maiden, the more bound,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My father, to be sweet and serviceable",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To noble knights in sickness, as ye know",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When these have worn their tokens: let me hence",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I pray you.” Then her father nodding said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ay, ay, the diamond: wit ye well, my child,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Right fain were I to learn this knight were whole,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Being our greatest: yea, and you must give it⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And sure I think this fruit is hung too high",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For any mouth to gape for save a queen’s⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nay, I mean nothing: so then, get you gone,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Being so very wilful you must go.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Lightly, her suit allowed, she slipt away,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And while she made her ready for her ride,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her father’s latest word hummed in her ear,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Being so very wilful you must go,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And changed itself and echoed in her heart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Being so very wilful you must die.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But she was happy enough and shook it off,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As we shake off the bee that buzzes at us;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And in her heart she answered it and said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“What matter, so I help him back to life?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then far away with good Sir Torre for guide",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rode o’er the long backs of the bushless downs",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Camelot, and before the city-gates",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came on her brother with a happy face",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Making a roan horse caper and curvet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For pleasure all about a field of flowers:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whom when she saw, “Lavaine,” she cried, “Lavaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How fares my lord Sir Lancelot?” He amazed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Torre and Elaine! why here? Sir Lancelot!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "How know ye my lord’s name is Lancelot?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But when the maid had told him all her tale,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then turned Sir Torre, and being in his moods",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Left them, and under the strange-statued gate,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where Arthur’s wars were rendered mystically,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Past up the still rich city to his kin,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His own far blood, which dwelt at Camelot;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And her, Lavaine across the poplar grove",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Led to the caves: there first she saw the casque",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of Lancelot on the wall: her scarlet sleeve,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though carved and cut, and half the pearls away,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Streamed from it still; and in her heart she laughed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Because he had not loosed it from his helm,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But meant once more perchance to tourney in it.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when they gained the cell wherein he slept,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His battle-writhen arms and mighty hands",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay naked on the wolfskin, and a dream",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of dragging down his enemy made them move.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then she that saw him lying unsleek, unshorn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gaunt as it were the skeleton of himself,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Uttered a little tender dolorous cry.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The sound not wonted in a place so still",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Woke the sick knight, and while he rolled his eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet blank from sleep, she started to him, saying,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Your prize the diamond sent you by the King:”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His eyes glistened: she fancied “Is it for me?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the maid had told him all the tale",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of King and Prince, the diamond sent, the quest",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Assigned to her not worthy of it, she knelt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full lowly by the corners of his bed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And laid the diamond in his open hand.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her face was near, and as we kiss the child",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That does the task assigned, he kissed her face.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At once she slipt like water to the floor.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Alas,” he said, “your ride hath wearied you.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Rest must you have.” “No rest for me,” she said;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Nay, for near you, fair lord, I am at rest.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What might she mean by that? his large black eyes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet larger through his leanness, dwelt upon her,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till all her heart’s sad secret blazed itself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the heart’s colours on her simple face;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot looked and was perplext in mind,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And being weak in body said no more;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But did not love the colour; woman’s love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Save one, he not regarded, and so turned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sighing, and feigned a sleep until he slept.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then rose Elaine and glided through the fields,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And past beneath the weirdly-sculptured gates",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far up the dim rich city to her kin;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There bode the night: but woke with dawn, and past",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Down through the dim rich city to the fields,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thence to the cave: so day by day she past",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In either twilight ghost-like to and fro",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gliding, and every day she tended him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And likewise many a night: and Lancelot",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would, though he called his wound a little hurt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereof he should be quickly whole, at times",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Brain-feverous in his heat and agony, seem",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Uncourteous, even he: but the meek maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweetly forbore him ever, being to him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meeker than any child to a rough nurse,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Milder than any mother to a sick child,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And never woman yet, since man’s first fall,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Did kindlier unto man, but her deep love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upbore her; till the hermit, skilled in all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The simples and the science of that time,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Told him that her fine care had saved his life.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the sick man forgot her simple blush,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would call her friend and sister, sweet Elaine,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would listen for her coming and regret",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her parting step, and held her tenderly,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And loved her with all love except the love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of man and woman when they love their best,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Closest and sweetest, and had died the death",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In any knightly fashion for her sake.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And peradventure had he seen her first",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She might have made this and that other world",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Another world for the sick man; but now",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The shackles of an old love straitened him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His honour rooted in dishonour stood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Yet the great knight in his mid-sickness made",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full many a holy vow and pure resolve.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "These, as but born of sickness, could not live:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For when the blood ran lustier in him again,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full often the bright image of one face,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Making a treacherous quiet in his heart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dispersed his resolution like a cloud.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then if the maiden, while that ghostly grace",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beamed on his fancy, spoke, he answered not,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or short and coldly, and she knew right well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What the rough sickness meant, but what this meant",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She knew not, and the sorrow dimmed her sight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And drave her ere her time across the fields",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far into the rich city, where alone",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She murmured, “Vain, in vain: it cannot be.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He will not love me: how then? must I die?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then as a little helpless innocent bird,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That has but one plain passage of few notes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will sing the simple passage o’er and o’er",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For all an April morning, till the ear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wearies to hear it, so the simple maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Went half the night repeating, “Must I die?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And now to right she turned, and now to left,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And found no ease in turning or in rest;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And “Him or death,” she muttered, “death or him,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Again and like a burthen, “Him or death.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when Sir Lancelot’s deadly hurt was whole,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To Astolat returning rode the three.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There morn by morn, arraying her sweet self",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In that wherein she deemed she looked her best,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She came before Sir Lancelot, for she thought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“If I be loved, these are my festal robes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If not, the victim’s flowers before he fall.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot ever prest upon the maid",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That she should ask some goodly gift of him",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For her own self or hers; “and do not shun",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To speak the wish most near to your true heart;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such service have ye done me, that I make",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My will of yours, and Prince and Lord am I",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In mine own land, and what I will I can.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then like a ghost she lifted up her face,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But like a ghost without the power to speak.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot saw that she withheld her wish,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And bode among them yet a little space",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till he should learn it; and one morn it chanced",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He found her in among the garden yews,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And said, “Delay no longer, speak your wish,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seeing I go today:” then out she brake:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Going? and we shall never see you more.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And I must die for want of one bold word.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Speak: that I live to hear,” he said, “is yours.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then suddenly and passionately she spoke:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“I have gone mad. I love you: let me die.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ah, sister,” answered Lancelot, “what is this?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And innocently extending her white arms,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Your love,” she said, “your love⁠—to be your wife.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot answered, “Had I chosen to wed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I had been wedded earlier, sweet Elaine:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But now there never will be wife of mine.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“No, no,” she cried, “I care not to be wife,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But to be with you still, to see your face,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To serve you, and to follow you through the world.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot answered, “Nay, the world, the world,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All ear and eye, with such a stupid heart",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To interpret ear and eye, and such a tongue",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To blare its own interpretation⁠—nay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full ill then should I quit your brother’s love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And your good father’s kindness.” And she said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Not to be with you, not to see your face⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Alas for me then, my good days are done.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Nay, noble maid,” he answered, “ten times nay!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This is not love: but love’s first flash in youth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Most common: yea, I know it of mine own self:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And you yourself will smile at your own self",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hereafter, when you yield your flower of life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To one more fitly yours, not thrice your age:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And then will I, for true you are and sweet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beyond mine old belief in womanhood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "More specially should your good knight be poor,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Endow you with broad land and territory",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Even to the half my realm beyond the seas,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So that would make you happy: furthermore,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Even to the death, as though ye were my blood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In all your quarrels will I be your knight.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This I will do, dear damsel, for your sake,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And more than this I cannot.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "While he spoke",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "She neither blushed nor shook, but deathly-pale",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Stood grasping what was nearest, then replied:",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Of all this will I nothing;” and so fell,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And thus they bore her swooning to her tower.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then spake, to whom through those black walls of yew",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Their talk had pierced, her father: “Ay, a flash,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I fear me, that will strike my blossom dead.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Too courteous are ye, fair Lord Lancelot.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I pray you, use some rough discourtesy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To blunt or break her passion.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Lancelot said,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“That were against me: what I can I will;”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And there that day remained, and toward even",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Sent for his shield: full meekly rose the maid,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Stript off the case, and gave the naked shield;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then, when she heard his horse upon the stones,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Unclasping flung the casement back, and looked",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Down on his helm, from which her sleeve had gone.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot knew the little clinking sound;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And she by tact of love was well aware",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "That Lancelot knew that she was looking at him.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And yet he glanced not up, nor waved his hand,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor bad farewell, but sadly rode away.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "This was the one discourtesy that he used.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So in her tower alone the maiden sat:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His very shield was gone; only the case,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her own poor work, her empty labour, left.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But still she heard him, still his picture formed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And grew between her and the pictured wall.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then came her father, saying in low tones,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Have comfort,” whom she greeted quietly.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then came her brethren saying, “Peace to thee,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweet sister,” whom she answered with all calm.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But when they left her to herself again,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Death, like a friend’s voice from a distant field",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Approaching through the darkness, called; the owls",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wailing had power upon her, and she mixt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her fancies with the sallow-rifted glooms",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of evening, and the moanings of the wind.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And in those days she made a little song,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And called her song “The Song of Love and Death,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And sang it: sweetly could she make and sing.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Sweet is true love though given in vain, in vain;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And sweet is death who puts an end to pain:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I know not which is sweeter, no, not I.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Love, art thou sweet? then bitter death must be:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Love, thou art bitter; sweet is death to me.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O Love, if death be sweeter, let me die.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Sweet love, that seems not made to fade away,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweet death, that seems to make us loveless clay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I know not which is sweeter, no, not I.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“I fain would follow love, if that could be;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I needs must follow death, who calls for me;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Call and I follow, I follow! let me die.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "High with the last line scaled her voice, and this,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All in a fiery dawning wild with wind",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That shook her tower, the brothers heard, and thought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With shuddering, “Hark the Phantom of the house",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That ever shrieks before a death,” and called",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The father, and all three in hurry and fear",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ran to her, and lo! the blood-red light of dawn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Flared on her face, she shrilling, “Let me die!”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "As when we dwell upon a word we know,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Repeating, till the word we know so well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Becomes a wonder, and we know not why,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So dwelt the father on her face, and thought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Is this Elaine?” till back the maiden fell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then gave a languid hand to each, and lay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Speaking a still goodmorrow with her eyes.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "At last she said, “Sweet brothers, yesternight",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I seemed a curious little maid again,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As happy as when we dwelt among the woods,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when ye used to take me with the flood",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Up the great river in the boatman’s boat.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Only ye would not pass beyond the cape",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That has the poplar on it: there ye fixt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Your limit, oft returning with the tide.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And yet I cried because ye would not pass",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beyond it, and far up the shining flood",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Until we found the palace of the King.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And yet ye would not; but this night I dreamed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That I was all alone upon the flood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And then I said, ‘Now shall I have my will:’",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there I woke, but still the wish remained.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So let me hence that I may pass at last",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Beyond the poplar and far up the flood,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Until I find the palace of the King.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There will I enter in among them all,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And no man there will dare to mock at me;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But there the fine Gawain will wonder at me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there the great Sir Lancelot muse at me;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Gawain, who bad a thousand farewells to me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lancelot, who coldly went, nor bad me one:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there the King will know me and my love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And there the Queen herself will pity me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the gentle court will welcome me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And after my long voyage I shall rest!”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Peace,” said her father, “O my child, ye seem",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Light-headed, for what force is yours to go",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So far, being sick? and wherefore would ye look",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On this proud fellow again, who scorns us all?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then the rough Torre began to heave and move,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And bluster into stormy sobs and say,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“I never loved him: an I meet with him,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I care not howsoever great he be,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then will I strike at him and strike him down,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Give me good fortune, I will strike him dead,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For this discomfort he hath done the house.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "To whom the gentle sister made reply,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Fret not yourself, dear brother, nor be wroth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seeing it is no more Sir Lancelot’s fault",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not to love me, than it is mine to love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Him of all men who seems to me the highest.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Highest?” the father answered, echoing “highest?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(He meant to break the passion in her) “nay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Daughter, I know not what you call the highest;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But this I know, for all the people know it,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He loves the Queen, and in an open shame:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And she returns his love in open shame;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If this be high, what is it to be low?”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then spake the lily maid of Astolat:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Sweet father, all too faint and sick am I",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For anger: these are slanders: never yet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was noble man but made ignoble talk.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He makes no friend who never made a foe.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But now it is my glory to have loved",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One peerless, without stain: so let me pass,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My father, howsoe’er I seem to you,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not all unhappy, having loved God’s best",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And greatest, though my love had no return:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet, seeing you desire your child to live,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thanks, but you work against your own desire;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For if I could believe the things you say",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I should but die the sooner; wherefore cease,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sweet father, and bid call the ghostly man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hither, and let me shrive me clean, and die.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So when the ghostly man had come and gone,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She with a face, bright as for sin forgiven,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Besought Lavaine to write as she devised",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A letter, word for word; and when he asked",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Is it for Lancelot, is it for my dear lord?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then will I bear it gladly;” she replied,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“For Lancelot and the Queen and all the world,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But I myself must bear it.” Then he wrote",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The letter she devised; which being writ",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And folded, “O sweet father, tender and true,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deny me not,” she said⁠—“ye never yet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Denied my fancies⁠—this, however strange,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My latest: lay the letter in my hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A little ere I die, and close the hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon it; I shall guard it even in death.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the heat is gone from out my heart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then take the little bed on which I died",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For Lancelot’s love, and deck it like the Queen’s",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For richness, and me also like the Queen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In all I have of rich, and lay me on it.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And let there be prepared a chariot-bier",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To take me to the river, and a barge",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Be ready on the river, clothed in black.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I go in state to court, to meet the Queen.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There surely I shall speak for mine own self,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And none of you can speak for me so well.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore let our dumb old man alone",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Go with me, he can steer and row, and he",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Will guide me to that palace, to the doors.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "She ceased: her father promised; whereupon",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She grew so cheerful that they deemed her death",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was rather in the fantasy than the blood.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But ten slow mornings past, and on the eleventh",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her father laid the letter in her hand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And closed the hand upon it, and she died.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So that day there was dole in Astolat.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But when the next sun brake from underground,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then, those two brethren slowly with bent brows",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Accompanying, the sad chariot-bier",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Past like a shadow through the field, that shone",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Full-summer, to that stream whereon the barge,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Palled all its length in blackest samite, lay.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There sat the life-long creature of the house,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Loyal, the dumb old servitor, on deck,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Winking his eyes, and twisted all his face.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So those two brethren from the chariot took",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And on the black decks laid her in her bed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Set in her hand a lily, o’er her hung",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The silken case with braided blazonings,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And kissed her quiet brows, and saying to her",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Sister, farewell forever,” and again",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Farewell, sweet sister,” parted all in tears.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then rose the dumb old servitor, and the dead,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Oared by the dumb, went upward with the flood⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In her right hand the lily, in her left",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The letter⁠—all her bright hair streaming down⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the coverlid was cloth of gold",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Drawn to her waist, and she herself in white",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All but her face, and that clear-featured face",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was lovely, for she did not seem as dead,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But fast asleep, and lay as though she smiled.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "That day Sir Lancelot at the palace craved",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Audience of Guinevere, to give at last,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The price of half a realm, his costly gift,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hard-won and hardly won with bruise and blow,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With deaths of others, and almost his own,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The nine-years-fought-for diamonds: for he saw",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "One of her house, and sent him to the Queen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Bearing his wish, whereto the Queen agreed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With such and so unmoved a majesty",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She might have seemed her statue, but that he,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Low-drooping till he wellnigh kissed her feet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For loyal awe, saw with a sidelong eye",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The shadow of some piece of pointed lace,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In the Queen’s shadow, vibrate on the walls,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And parted, laughing in his courtly heart.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "All in an oriel on the summer side,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Vine-clad, of Arthur’s palace toward the stream,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They met, and Lancelot kneeling uttered, “Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lady, my liege, in whom I have my joy,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Take, what I had not won except for you,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "These jewels, and make me happy, making them",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "An armlet for the roundest arm on earth,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or necklace for a neck to which the swan’s",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is tawnier than her cygnet’s: these are words:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Your beauty is your beauty, and I sin",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In speaking, yet O grant my worship of it",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Words, as we grant grief tears. Such sin in words",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Perchance, we both can pardon: but, my Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I hear of rumours flying through your court.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our bond, as not the bond of man and wife,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Should have in it an absoluter trust",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make up that defect: let rumours be:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When did not rumours fly? these, as I trust",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That you trust me in your own nobleness,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I may not well believe that you believe.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "While thus he spoke, half turned away, the Queen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Brake from the vast oriel-embowering vine",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leaf after leaf, and tore, and cast them off,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Till all the place whereon she stood was green;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then, when he ceased, in one cold passive hand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Received at once and laid aside the gems",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There on a table near her, and replied:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“It may be, I am quicker of belief",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Than you believe me, Lancelot of the Lake.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Our bond is not the bond of man and wife.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This good is in it, whatsoe’er of ill,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It can be broken easier. I for you",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This many a year have done despite and wrong",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To one whom ever in my heart of hearts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I did acknowledge nobler. What are these?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Diamonds for me! they had been thrice their worth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Being your gift, had you not lost your own.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To loyal hearts the value of all gifts",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must vary as the giver’s. Not for me!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For her! for your new fancy. Only this",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Grant me, I pray you: have your joys apart.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I doubt not that however changed, you keep",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So much of what is graceful: and myself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would shun to break those bounds of courtesy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In which as Arthur’s Queen I move and rule:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So cannot speak my mind. An end to this!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A strange one! yet I take it with Amen.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So pray you, add my diamonds to her pearls;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deck her with these; tell her, she shines me down:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "An armlet for an arm to which the Queen’s",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is haggard, or a necklace for a neck",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "O as much fairer⁠—as a faith once fair",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was richer than these diamonds⁠—hers not mine⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nay, by the mother of our Lord himself,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or hers or mine, mine now to work my will⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She shall not have them.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Saying which she seized,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And, through the casement standing wide for heat,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Flung them, and down they flashed, and smote the stream.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then from the smitten surface flashed, as it were,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Diamonds to meet them, and they past away.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then while Sir Lancelot leant, in half disdain",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "At love, life, all things, on the window ledge,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Close underneath his eyes, and right across",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Where these had fallen, slowly past the barge.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereon the lily maid of Astolat",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Lay smiling, like a star in blackest night.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "But the wild Queen, who saw not, burst away",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To weep and wail in secret; and the barge,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On to the palace-doorway sliding, paused.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "There two stood armed, and kept the door; to whom,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "All up the marble stair, tier over tier,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Were added mouths that gaped, and eyes that asked",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“What is it?” but that oarsman’s haggard face,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As hard and still as is the face that men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Shape to their fancy’s eye from broken rocks",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On some cliff-side, appalled them, and they said",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“He is enchanted, cannot speak⁠—and she,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Look how she sleeps⁠—the Fairy Queen, so fair!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yea, but how pale! what are they? flesh and blood?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or come to take the King to Fairyland?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For some do hold our Arthur cannot die,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But that he passes into Fairyland.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "While thus they babbled of the King, the King",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Came girt with knights: then turned the tongueless man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From the half-face to the full eye, and rose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And pointed to the damsel, and the doors.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "So Arthur bad the meek Sir Percivale",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And pure Sir Galahad to uplift the maid;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And reverently they bore her into hall.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then came the fine Gawain and wondered at her,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot later came and mused at her,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And last the Queen herself, and pitied her:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But Arthur spied the letter in her hand,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stoopt, took, brake seal, and read it; this was all:",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Most noble lord, Sir Lancelot of the Lake,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I, sometime called the maid of Astolat,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Come, for you left me taking no farewell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Hither, to take my last farewell of you.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I loved you, and my love had no return,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore my true love has been my death.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And therefore to our Lady Guinevere,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And to all other ladies, I make moan:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pray for my soul, and yield me burial.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pray for my soul thou too, Sir Lancelot,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As thou art a knight peerless.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Thus he read;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "And ever in the reading, lords and dames",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Wept, looking often from his face who read",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "To hers which lay so silent, and at times,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "So touched were they, half-thinking that her lips,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Who had devised the letter, moved again.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then freely spoke Sir Lancelot to them all:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“My lord liege Arthur, and all ye that hear,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Know that for this most gentle maiden’s death",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Right heavy am I; for good she was and true,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But loved me with a love beyond all love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In women, whomsoever I have known.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yet to be loved makes not to love again;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not at my years, however it hold in youth.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I swear by truth and knighthood that I gave",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No cause, not willingly, for such a love:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To this I call my friends in testimony,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Her brethren, and her father, who himself",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Besought me to be plain and blunt, and use,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To break her passion, some discourtesy",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Against my nature: what I could, I did.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I left her and I bad her no farewell;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Though, had I dreamt the damsel would have died,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I might have put my wits to some rough use,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And helped her from herself.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then said the Queen",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "(Sea was her wrath, yet working after storm)",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "“Ye might at least have done her so much grace,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Fair lord, as would have helped her from her death.”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "He raised his head, their eyes met and hers fell,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "He adding,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Queen, she would not be content",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Save that I wedded her, which could not be.",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Then might she follow me through the world, she asked;",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "It could not be. I told her that her love",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Was but the flash of youth, would darken down",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "To rise hereafter in a stiller flame",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Toward one more worthy of her⁠—then would I,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "More specially were he, she wedded, poor,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "Estate them with large land and territory",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "In mine own realm beyond the narrow seas,",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "To keep them in all joyance: more than this",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   },
   {
    "text": "I could not; this she would not, and she died.”",
    "indent": 0,
    "align": "right"
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "He pausing, Arthur answered, “O my knight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It will be to thy worship, as my knight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And mine, as head of all our Table Round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To see that she be buried worshipfully.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So toward that shrine which then in all the realm",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was richest, Arthur leading, slowly went",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The marshalled Order of their Table Round,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot sad beyond his wont, to see",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The maiden buried, not as one unknown,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nor meanly, but with gorgeous obsequies,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And mass, and rolling music, like a queen.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And when the knights had laid her comely head",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Low in the dust of half-forgotten kings,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then Arthur spake among them, “Let her tomb",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Be costly, and her image thereupon,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And let the shield of Lancelot at her feet",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Be carven, and her lily in her hand.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And let the story of her dolorous voyage",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For all true hearts be blazoned on her tomb",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In letters gold and azure!” which was wrought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thereafter; but when now the lords and dames",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And people, from the high door streaming, brake",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Disorderly, as homeward each, the Queen,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who marked Sir Lancelot where he moved apart,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Drew near, and sighed in passing, “Lancelot,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Forgive me; mine was jealousy in love.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He answered with his eyes upon the ground,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“That is love’s curse; pass on, my Queen, forgiven.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But Arthur, who beheld his cloudy brows,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Approached him, and with full affection said,",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Lancelot, my Lancelot, thou in whom I have",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Most joy and most affiance, for I know",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What thou hast been in battle by my side,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And many a time have watched thee at the tilt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Strike down the lusty and long practised knight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And let the younger and unskilled go by",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To win his honour and to make his name,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And loved thy courtesies and thee, a man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Made to be loved; but now I would to God,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Seeing the homeless trouble in thine eyes,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thou couldst have loved this maiden, shaped, it seems,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By God for thee alone, and from her face,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "If one may judge the living by the dead,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Delicately pure and marvellously fair,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who might have brought thee, now a lonely man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Wifeless and heirless, noble issue, sons",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Born to the glory of thine name and fame,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My knight, the great Sir Lancelot of the Lake.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "Then answered Lancelot, “Fair she was, my King,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pure, as you ever wish your knights to be.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To doubt her fairness were to want an eye,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To doubt her pureness were to want a heart⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Yea, to be loved, if what is worthy love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Could bind him, but free love will not be bound.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "“Free love, so bound, were freest,” said the King.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Let love be free; free love is for the best:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, after heaven, on our dull side of death,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "What should be best, if not so pure a love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Clothed in so pure a loveliness? yet thee",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She failed to bind, though being, as I think,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unbound as yet, and gentle, as I know.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And Lancelot answered nothing, but he went,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And at the inrunning of a little brook",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sat by the river in a cove, and watched",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The high reed wave, and lifted up his eyes",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And saw the barge that brought her moving down,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far-off, a blot upon the stream, and said",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Low in himself, “Ah simple heart and sweet,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ye loved me, damsel, surely with a love",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Far tenderer than my Queen’s. Pray for thy soul?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Ay, that will I. Farewell too⁠—now at last⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Farewell, fair lily. ‘Jealousy in love?’",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not rather dead love’s harsh heir, jealous pride?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Queen, if I grant the jealousy as of love,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "May not your crescent fear for name and fame",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Speak, as it waxes, of a love that wanes?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Why did the King dwell on my name to me?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Mine own name shames me, seeming a reproach,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Lancelot, whom the Lady of the Lake",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Caught from his mother’s arms⁠—the wondrous one",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who passes through the vision of the night⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She chanted snatches of mysterious hymns",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Heard on the winding waters, eve and morn",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She kissed me saying, ‘Thou art fair, my child,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As a king’s son,’ and often in her arms",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She bare me, pacing on the dusky mere.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Would she had drowned me in it, where’er it be!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For what am I? what profits me my name",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of greatest knight? I fought for it, and have it:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Pleasure to have it, none; to lose it, pain;",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Now grown a part of me: but what use in it?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make men worse by making my sin known?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or sin seem less, the sinner seeming great?",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Alas for Arthur’s greatest knight, a man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not after Arthur’s heart! I needs must break",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "These bonds that so defame me: not without",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "She wills it: would I, if she willed it? nay,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Who knows? but if I would not, then may God,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I pray him, send a sudden Angel down",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To seize me by the hair and bear me far,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And fling me deep in that forgotten mere,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Among the tumbled fragments of the hills.”",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "So groaned Sir Lancelot in remorseful pain,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Not knowing he should die a holy man.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ]
 ]
}