A Mabinogi.

In samite sark yclad was she;     And that fair glimmerish band of gold Which crowned long, savage locks of hair          In the moon brent cold. She with big eyeballs gloomed and glowered,     And lightly hummed some Elfin's song, And one could naught save on her stare          And fare along. Yea; sad and lute-like was that song     And softly said its mystery; Which quaintly sang in elden verse          "Thy love I'll be." And oft it said: "I love thee true,     Sir Ewain, champion of the fair." And never wist he what a witch          Was that one there. And never wist he that a witch     Had bound him with her wily hair, Eke with dark art had ta'en his heart          To slay him there. And all his soul did wax amort     To stars, to hills, to slades, to streams, And it but held that sorceress fair          As one of dreams. And now he kens some castle gray     Wild turrets ivied, in the moon, Old, where through woodlands foaming on          A torrent shone.... In its high hall full twenty knights     With visors barred all sternly stand; The following of some gracious brave,          Lord of the land. And lo! when that dim damosel     Moved down the hall, they louted low; And she was queen of all that band,          That dame of snow. Now on that knight she stared eftsoons,     And cried on high unto her crew, "Behold! Sir Knights, the dastard brave          Your king that slew." And all those heathen knights wox wild     Attonce; and all against him drave; Long battle blades and daggers bright          Aloft did wave. The press on him puissant bare     And smote him to the rush-strown earth; - Tall, tall o'er all that Fairy rose          Aloud with mirth.