Atwistofgoldwasroundherhair；arobeOfsamitewithoutprice，thatmoreexprestThanhidher，clungaboutherlissomelimbs，Incolourlikethesatin-shiningpalmOnsallowsinthewindygleamsofMarch:
Andwhileshekiss\'dthem，crying，\'Trampleme，Dearfeet，thatIhavefollow\'dthro\'theworld，AndIwillpayyouworship；treadmedownAndIwillkissyouforit\'；hewasmute:
Sodarkaforethoughtroll\'dabouthisbrain，AsonadulldayinanOceancaveTheblindwavefeelingroundhislongsea-hallInsilence。\"
WethinkoftheblindedCyclopsgropingroundhiscave，like\"theblindwavefeelingroundhislongsea-hall。\"
Therichness，themanyshiningcontrastsandimmortallinesinVivien，seemalmosttoonobleforasubjectnoteasilyredeemed，andthepictureoftheidealCourtlyinginfullcorruption。NexttoElaine，Jowettwrotethathe\"admiredVivienthemostthenaughtyone，whichseemstomeaworkofwonderfulpowerandskill。Itismostelegantandfanciful。IamnotsurprisedatyourDelilahbeguilingthewiseman；sheisquiteequaltoit。\"ThedramaticversatilityofTennyson\'sgenius，hispowerofcreatingthemostvariouscharacters，isnowherebetterdisplayedthaninthecontrastbetweentheVivienandtheElaine。Vivienisatype，heradventureisofanature，whichhehasnotelsewherehandled。Thackeray，whoadmiredtheIdyllssoenthusiastically，mighthaverecognisedinVivienacharacternotunlikesomeofhisown，asdarkasBeckySharp，moreterribleinherselfishnessthanthatBeatrixEsmondwhoisstillaparagon，and，inhercreator\'sdespite，aqueenofhearts。
InElaine，ontheotherhand，Tennysonhasdrawnagirlsoinnocentlypassionate，andtoldataleoflovethatneverfoundhisearthlyclose，sodelicatelybeautiful，thatwemayperhapsplacethisIdyllthehighestofhispoemsonlove，andreckonitthegemoftheIdylls，thecentraldiamondinthediamondcrown。ReadingElaineoncemore，afteranintervalofyears，oneiscaptivatedbyitsgrace，itspathos，itsnobility。Thepoethadtouchedonsomeunidentifiedformofthestory，longbefore，inTheLadyofShalott。
Thatpoemhadthemysteryofromance，but，inhumaninterest，couldnotcompetewithElaine，ifindeedanypoemofTennyson\'scanberankedwiththismatchlessIdyll。
Themereinvention，and，aswemaysay，charpentage，areofthefirstorder。ThematerialsinMalory，thoughbeautiful，aresimple，andleftafieldforthepoet\'sinvention。{16}
Arthur，withtheScotsandNorthernknights，meanstoencounterallcomersataWhitsuntidetourney。Guinevereisill，andcannotgotothejousts，whileLancelotmakesexcusethatheisnothealedofawound。\"WhereforetheKingwasheavyandpassingwroth，andsohedepartedtowardsWinchester。\"TheQueenthenblamedLancelot:
peoplewillsaytheydeceiveArthur。\"Madame，\"saidSirLancelot，\"I
allowyourwit；itisoflatecomethatyewerewise。\"IntheIdyllGuineverespeaksasiftheirearlyloveshadbeenasconspicuousas，accordingtoGeorgeBuchanan，werethoseofQueenMaryandBothwell。
Lancelotwillgotothetourney，and，despiteGuinevere\'swarning，willtakepartagainstArthurandhisownfierceNorthernkinsmen。
HeridestoAstolat——\"thatis，Gylford\"——whereArthurseeshim。Heborrowstheblankshieldof\"SirTorre，\"andthecompanyofhisbrotherSirLavaine。Elaine\"castsuchaloveuntoSirLancelotthatshewouldneverwithdrawherlove，whereforeshedied。\"Atherprayer，andforbetterdisguiseashehadneverwornalady\'sfavour，Lancelotcarriedherscarletpearl-embroideredsleeveinhishelmet，andlefthisshieldinElaine\'skeeping。Thetourneypassesasinthepoem，GawainrecognisingLancelot，butpuzzledbythefavourhewears。ThewoundedLancelot\"thoughttodowhathemightwhilehemightendure。\"Whenheisofferedtheprizeheissosorehurtthathe\"takesnoforceofnohonour。\"Heridesintoawood，whereLavainedrawsforththespear。LavainebringsLancelottothehermit，onceaknight。\"Ihaveseentheday，\"saysthehermit，\"I
wouldhavelovedhimtheworse，becausehewasagainstmylord，KingArthur，forsometime。IwasoneofthefellowshipoftheRoundTable，butIthankGodnowIamotherwisedisposed。\"Gawain，seekingthewoundedknight，comestoAstolat，whereElainedeclares\"heisthemanintheworldthatIfirstloved，andtrulyheisthelastthateverIshalllove。\"Gawain，onseeingtheshield，tellsElainethatthewoundedknightisLancelot，andshegoestoseekhimandLavaine。GawaindoesnotpaycourttoElaine，nordoesArthurrebukehim，asinthepoem。WhenGuinevereheardthatLancelotboreanotherlady\'sfavour，\"shewasnighoutofhermindforwrath，\"andexpressedherangertoSirBors，forGawainhadspokenofthemaidofAstolat。BorstellsthistoLancelot，whoistendedbyElaine。
\"\'ButIwellsee，\'saidSirBors，\'byherdiligenceaboutyouthatshelovethyouentirely。\'\'Thatmerepenteth，\'saidSirLancelot。
SaidSirBors，\'Sir，sheisnotthefirstthathathlostherpainuponyou，andthatisthemorepity。\'\"WhenLancelotrecovers，andreturnstoAstolat，shedeclaresherlovewiththefranknessofladiesinmediaevalromance。\"Havemercyuponmeandsuffermenottodieforthylove。\"Lancelotreplieswiththecourtesyandtheoffersofservicewhichbecamehim。\"Ofallthis，\"saidthemaiden，\"Iwillnone；forbutifyewillwedme，orbemyparamourattheleast，wityouwell，SirLancelot，mygooddaysaredone。\"
Thiswasadifficultpassforthepoet，livinginotherdaysofothermanners。HisartappearsintheturnwhichhegivestoElaine\'sdeclaration:-
\"ButwhenSirLancelot\'sdeadlyhurtwaswhole，ToAstolatreturningrodethethree。
Theremornbymorn，arrayinghersweetselfInthatwhereinshedeem\'dshelook\'dherbest，ShecamebeforeSirLancelot，forshethought\'IfIbeloved，thesearemyfestalrobes，Ifnot，thevictim\'sflowersbeforehefall。\'
AndLanceloteverprestuponthemaidThatsheshouldasksomegoodlygiftofhimForherownselforhers；\'anddonotshunTospeakthewishmostneartoyourtrueheart；
Suchservicehaveyedoneme，thatImakeMywillofyours，andPrinceandLordamI
Inmineownland，andwhatIwillIcan。\'
Thenlikeaghostsheliftedupherface，Butlikeaghostwithoutthepowertospeak。
AndLancelotsawthatshewithheldherwish，AndbodeamongthemyetalittlespaceTillheshouldlearnit；andonemornitchancedHefoundherinamongthegardenyews，Andsaid，\'Delaynolonger，speakyourwish，SeeingIgoto-day\':thenoutshebrake:
\'Going？andweshallneverseeyoumore。
AndImustdieforwantofoneboldword。\'
\'Speak:thatIlivetohear，\'hesaid，\'isyours。\'
Thensuddenlyandpassionatelyshespoke:
\'Ihavegonemad。Iloveyou:letmedie。\'
\'Ah，sister，\'answer\'dLancelot，\'whatisthis？\'
Andinnocentlyextendingherwhitearms，\'Yourlove，\'shesaid，\'yourlove——tobeyourwife。\'
AndLancelotanswer\'d，\'HadIchosentowed，Ihadbeenweddedearlier，sweetElaine:
Butnowthereneverwillbewifeofmine。\'
\'No，no\'shecried，\'Icarenottobewife，Buttobewithyoustill，toseeyourface，Toserveyou，andtofollowyouthro\'theworld。\'
AndLancelotanswer\'d，\'Nay，theworld，theworld，Allearandeye，withsuchastupidheartTointerpretearandeye，andsuchatongueToblareitsowninterpretation——nay，FullillthenshouldIquityourbrother\'slove，Andyourgoodfather\'skindness。\'Andshesaid，\'Nottobewithyou，nottoseeyourface-
Alasformethen，mygooddaysaredone。\'\"
Soshedies，andisbornedownThamestoLondon，thefairestcorpse，\"andshelayasthoughshehadsmiled。\"Herletterisread。\"Yemighthaveshowedher，\"saidtheQueen，\"somecourtesyandgentlenessthatmighthavepreservedherlife；\"andsothetwoarereconciled。
Such，inbrief，isthetenderoldtaleoftruelove，withtheshiningcourtesyofLavaineandthefatherofthemaid，whospeaknowordofangeragainstLancelot。\"ForsincefirstIsawmylord，SirLancelot，\"saysLavaine，\"Icouldneverdepartfromhim，nornoughtI
will，ifImayfollowhim:shedothasIdo。\"TothesimpleandmovingstoryTennysonadds，bywayofornament，thediamonds，theprizeofthetourney，andthemanneroftheirfinding:-
\"ForArthur，longbeforetheycrown\'dhimKing，RovingthetracklessrealmsofLyonnesse，Hadfoundaglen，grayboulderandblacktarn。
Ahorrorlivedaboutthetarn，andclaveLikeitsownmiststoallthemountainside:
Forheretwobrothers，oneaking，hadmetAndfoughttogether；buttheirnameswerelost；
Andeachhadslainhisbrotheratablow；
Anddowntheyfellandmadetheglenabhorr\'d:
Andtheretheylaytillalltheirboneswerebleach\'d，Andlichen\'dintocolourwiththecrags:
Andhe，thatoncewasking，hadonacrownOfdiamonds，oneinfront，andfouraside。
AndArthurcame，andlabouringupthepass，Allinamistymoonshine，unawaresHadtroddenthatcrown\'dskeleton，andtheskullBrakefromthenape，andfromtheskullthecrownRoll\'dintolight，andturningonitsrimsFledlikeaglitteringrivulettothetarn:
Anddowntheshinglyscaurheplunged，andcaught，Andsetitonhishead，andinhisheartHeardmurmurs，\'Lo，thoulikewiseshaltbeKing。\'\"
ThediamondsreappearinthesceneofGuinevere\'sjealousy:-
\"Allinanorielonthesummerside，Vine-clad，ofArthur\'spalacetowardthestream，Theymet，andLancelotkneelingutter\'d，\'Queen，Lady，myliege，inwhomIhavemyjoy，Take，whatIhadnotwonexceptforyou，Thesejewels，andmakemehappy，makingthemAnarmletfortheroundestarmonearth，Ornecklaceforanecktowhichtheswan\'sIstawnierthanhercygnet\'s:thesearewords:
Yourbeautyisyourbeauty，andIsinInspeaking，yetOgrantmyworshipofitWords，aswegrantgrieftears。Suchsininwords，Perchance，webothcanpardon:but，myQueen，Ihearofrumoursflyingthro\'yourcourt。
Ourbond，asnotthebondofmanandwife，ShouldhaveinitanabsolutertrustTomakeupthatdefect:letrumoursbe:
Whendidnotrumoursfly？these，asItrustThatyoutrustmeinyourownnobleness，Imaynotwellbelievethatyoubelieve。\'
Whilethushespoke，halfturn\'daway，theQueenBrakefromthevastoriel-emboweringvineLeafafterleaf，andtore，andcastthemoff，Tillalltheplacewhereonshestoodwasgreen；
Then，whenheceased，inonecoldpassivehandReceivedatonceandlaidasidethegemsThereonatablenearher，andreplied:
\'Itmaybe，IamquickerofbeliefThanyoubelieveme，LancelotoftheLake。
Ourbondisnotthebondofmanandwife。
Thisgoodisinit，whatsoe\'erofill，Itcanbebrokeneasier。IforyouThismanyayearhavedonedespiteandwrongToonewhomeverinmyheartofheartsIdidacknowledgenobler。Whatarethese？
Diamondsforme!theyhadbeenthricetheirworthBeingyourgift，hadyounotlostyourown。
ToloyalheartsthevalueofallgiftsMustvaryasthegiver\'s。Notforme!
Forher!foryournewfancy。OnlythisGrantme，Iprayyou:haveyourjoysapart。
Idoubtnotthathoweverchanged，youkeepSomuchofwhatisgraceful:andmyselfWouldshuntobreakthoseboundsofcourtesyInwhichasArthur\'sQueenImoveandrule:
Socannotspeakmymind。Anendtothis!
Astrangeone!yetItakeitwithAmen。
Soprayyou，addmydiamondstoherpearls；
Deckherwiththese；tellher，sheshinesmedown:
AnarmletforanarmtowhichtheQueen\'sIshaggard，oranecklaceforaneckOasmuchfairer——asafaithoncefairWasricherthanthesediamonds——hersnotmine-
Nay，bythemotherofourLordhimself，Orhersormine，minenowtoworkmywill-
Sheshallnothavethem。\'
Sayingwhichsheseized，And，thro\'thecasementstandingwideforheat，Flungthem，anddowntheyflash\'d，andsmotethestream。
Thenfromthesmittensurfaceflash\'d，asitwere，Diamondstomeetthem，andtheypastaway。
ThenwhileSirLancelotleant，inhalfdisdainAtlove，life，allthings，onthewindowledge，Closeunderneathhiseyes，andrightacrossWherethesehadfallen，slowlypastthebargeWhereonthelilymaidofAstolatLaysmiling，likeastarinblackestnight。\"
Thisaffairofthediamondsisthechiefadditiontotheoldtale，inwhichwealreadyseethecurseoflawlesslove，fallenuponthejealousQueenandthelong-enduringLancelot。\"Thisisnotthefirsttime，\"saidSirLancelot，\"thatyehavebeendispleasedwithmecauseless，but，madame，everImustsufferyou，butwhatsorrowI
endureItakenoforce\"thatis，\"Idisregard\"。
Theromance，andthepoet，inhisowndespite，cannotbutmakeLancelotthemanwelove，notArthuroranother。HumannatureperverselysideswithGuinevereagainsttheBlamelessKing:-
\"Shebrokeintoalittlescornfullaugh:
\'Arthur，mylord，Arthur，thefaultlessKing，Thatpassionateperfection，mygoodlord-
ButwhocangazeupontheSuninheaven？
Heneverspakewordofreproachtome，Heneverhadaglimpseofmineuntruth，Hecaresnotforme:onlyhereto-dayTheregleam\'davaguesuspicioninhiseyes:
Somemeddlingroguehastamper\'dwithhim——elseRaptinthisfancyofhisTableRound，Andswearingmentovowsimpossible，Tomakethemlikehimself:but，friend，tomeHeisallfaultwhohathnofaultatall:
Forwholovesmemusthaveatouchofearth；
Thelowsunmakesthecolour:Iamyours，NotArthur\'s，asyeknow，savebythebond。\"
ItisnotthebeautifulQueenwhowinsus，ourheartsarewith\"theinnocenceoflove\"inElaine。ButLancelothasthecharmthatcaptivatedLavaine；andTennyson\'sArthurremains\"Themoralchildwithoutthecrafttorule，Elsehadhenotlostme。\"
IndeedtheromanceofMalorymakesArthurdeserve\"theprettypopularnamesuchmanhoodearns\"byhisconductasregardsGuineverewhensheisaccusedbyherenemiesinthelaterchapters。YetMalorydoesnotfinallycondonethesinwhichbafflesLancelot\'squestoftheHolyGrail。
TennysonatfirstwasindoubtastowritingontheGrail，forcertainrespectsofreverence。Whenhedidapproachthethemeitwasinamethodofextremecondensation。TheromancesontheGrailoutrunthelengthevenofmediaevalpoetryandprose。Theyareexceedinglyconfused，aswasnatural，ifthathypothesiswhichregardsthestoryasaChristianisedformofobscureCelticmythbecorrect。SirPercivale\'ssister，intheIdyll，hasthefirstvisionoftheGrail:-
\"Sweetbrother，IhaveseentheHolyGrail:
For，wakedatdeadofnight，IheardasoundAsofasilverhornfromo\'erthehillsBlown，andIthought，\'ItisnotArthur\'suseTohuntbymoonlight\'；andtheslendersoundAsfromadistancebeyonddistancegrewCominguponme——Oneverharpnorhorn，Noraughtweblowwithbreath，ortouchwithhand，Waslikethatmusicasitcame；andthenStream\'dthro\'mycellacoldandsilverbeam，AnddownthelongbeamstoletheHolyGrail，Rose-redwithbeatingsinit，asifalive，TillallthewhitewallsofmycellweredyedWithrosycoloursleapingonthewall；
Andthenthemusicfaded，andtheGrailPast，andthebeamdecay\'d，andfromthewallsTherosyquiveringsdiedintothenight。
SonowtheHolyThingishereagainAmongus，brother，fastthoutooandpray，Andtellthybrotherknightstofastandpray，ThatsoperchancethevisionmaybeseenBytheeandthose，andalltheworldbeheal\'d。\"
Galahad，sonofLancelotandthefirstElainewhobecameLancelot\'smistressbyartmagic，thenvowshimselftotheQuest，and，afterthevisioninhallatCamelot，theknights，exceptArthur，followhisexample，toArthur\'sgrief。\"Yefollowwanderingfires!\"Probably，orperhaps，thepoetindicatesdislikeofhastyspiritualenthusiasms，of\"seekingforasign，\"andofthemysticismwhichbetokenswantoffaith。TheMiddleAges，morethanmanyreadersknow，wereagesofdoubt。MendesiredthewitnessofthesensestothetruthofwhattheChurchtaught，theywishedtoseethatnakedchildoftheromance\"smitehimselfinto\"thewaferoftheSacrament。
TheauthoroftheImitatioChristidiscouragessuchvainandtoocuriousinquiriesashelpedtorendtheChurch，anddividedChristendomintohostilecamps。TheQuestoftheactualGrailwasaknightlyformoftheologicalresearchintotheunsearchable；
undertaken，ofteninasecularspiritofadventure，bysinfulmen。
Thepoet\'sheartisratherwithhumanthings:-
\"\'Obrother，\'ask\'dAmbrosius，——\'forinsoothTheseancientbooks——andtheywouldwinthee——teem，OnlyIfindnottherethisHolyGrail，Withmiraclesandmarvelsliketothese，Notallunlike；whichoftentimeIread，Whoreadbutonmybreviarywithease，Tillmyheadswims；andthengoforthandpassDowntothelittlethorpethatliessoclose，Andalmostplaster\'dlikeamartin\'snestTotheseoldwalls——andminglewithourfolk；
AndknowingeveryhonestfaceoftheirsAswellasevershepherdknewhissheep，Andeveryhomelysecretintheirhearts，Delightmyselfwithgossipandoldwives，Andillsandaches，andteethings，lyings-in，Andmirthfulsayings，childrenoftheplace，Thathavenomeaninghalfaleagueaway:
Orlullingrandomsquabbleswhentheyrise，Chafferingsandchatteringsatthemarket-cross，Rejoice，smallman，inthissmallworldofmine，Yea，evenintheirhensandintheireggs。\"\'
ThisappearstobeTennyson\'soriginalreadingoftheQuestoftheGrail。Hisownmysticism，whichdidnotstrive，orcry，orseekaftermarvels，thoughmarvelsmightcomeunsought，isexpressedinArthur\'swords:-
\"\'\"AndspakeInottootruly，Omyknights？
WasItoodarkaprophetwhenIsaidTothosewhowentupontheHolyQuest，Thatmostofthemwouldfollowwanderingfires，Lostinthequagmire？——losttomeandgone，Andleftmegazingatabarrenboard，AndaleanOrder——scarcereturn\'datithe-
AndoutofthosetowhomthevisioncameMygreatesthardlywillbelievehesaw；
Anotherhathbehelditafaroff，Andleavinghumanwrongstorightthemselves，Caresbuttopassintothesilentlife。
Andonehathhadthevisionfacetoface，Andnowhischairdesireshimhereinvain，Howevertheymaycrownhimotherwhere。
\'\"Andsomeamongyouheld，thatiftheKingHadseenthesighthewouldhaveswornthevow:
Noteasily，seeingthattheKingmustguardThatwhichherules，andisbutasthehindTowhomaspaceoflandisgiventoplowWhomaynotwanderfromtheallottedfieldBeforehisworkbedone；but，beingdone，LetvisionsofthenightorofthedayCome，astheywill；andmanyatimetheycome，Untilthisearthhewalksonseemsnotearth，Thislightthatstrikeshiseyeballisnotlight，ThisairthatsmiteshisforeheadisnotairButvision——yea，hisveryhandandfoot-
Inmomentswhenhefeelshecannotdie，Andknowshimselfnovisiontohimself，NorthehighGodavision，northatOneWhoroseagain:yehaveseenwhatyehaveseen。\"
\'SospaketheKing:Iknewnotallhemeant。\'\"
Theclosinglinesdeclare，asfarasthepoetcoulddeclarethem，thesesubjectiveexperiencesofhiswhich，inamannerrarelyparallelled，colouredandformedhisthoughtonthehighestthings。
Heintroducesthemevenintothispoemonatopicwhich，becauseofitssacredassociations，heforlongdidnotventuretotouch。
InPelleasandEttarre——whichdealswiththesorrowsofoneoftheyoungknightswhofillupthegapsleftattheRoundTablebythemischancesoftheQuest——itwouldbedifficulttotraceaCelticoriginal。ForMalory，notCelticlegend，suppliedTennysonwiththegerminalideaofapoemwhich，intheromance，hasnobearingonthefinalcatastrophe。Pelleas，aKingoftheIsles，lovesthebeautifulEttarre，\"agreatlady，\"andforherwinsatatourneytheprizeofthegoldencirclet。Butshehatesanddespiseshim，andSirGawainisaspectatorwhen，asinthepoem，thefelonknightsofEttarrebindandinsulttheirconqueror，Pelleas。GawainpromisestowintheloveofEttarreforPelleas，and，asinthepoem，borrowshisarmsandhorse，andpretendstohaveslainhim。ButinplaceofturningEttarre\'shearttowardsPelleas，Gawainbecomesherlover，andPelleas，detectingthemasleep，layshisnakedswordontheirnecks。
Hethenrideshometodie；butNimueVivien，theLadyoftheLake，restoreshimtohealthandsanity。Hisfevergone，hescornsEttarre，who，byNimue\'senchantment，nowloveshimasmuchasshehadhatedhim。PelleaswedsNimue，andEttarrediesofabrokenheart。Tennyson，ofcourse，couldnotmakeNimuehisViviendoanythingbenevolent。HethereforecloseshispoembyarepetitionoftheeffectinthecaseofBalin。PelleasisdrivendesperatebythetreacheryofGawain，thereportedinfidelityofGuinevere，andthegeneralcorruptionoftheideal。AshadowfallsonLancelotandGuinevere，andModredseesthathishourisdrawingnigh。InspiteofbeautifulpassagesthisisnotoneofthefinestoftheIdylls，saveforthestudyofthefierce，hateful，andbeautifulgrandedame，Ettarre。Thenarrativedoeslittletoadvancethegeneralplot。IntheoriginalofMaloryithasnoconnectionwiththeLancelotcycle，exceptasfarasitrevealsthetreacheryofGawain，thegayandfair-spoken\"lightoflove，\"brotherofthetraitorModred。A
simplertreatmentofthethememaybereadinMrSwinburne\'sbeautifulpoem，TheTaleofBalen。
ItisinTheLastTournamentthatModredfindsthebeginningofhisopportunity。ThebrieflifeoftheIdealhasburneditselfout，astheyear，initsvernalbeautywhenArthurcame，isburningoutinautumn。Thepoemispurposelyautumnal，withtheautumn，notofmellowfruitfulness，butofthe\"flyinggoldoftheruinedwoodlands\"
andthedankodoursofdecay。InthatmiserableseasonisheldtheTourneyoftheDeadInnocence，withtheblood-redprizeofrubies。
WithawisetouchTennysonhasrepresentedtheCourtasfallennotintoviceonlyandcrime，butintopositivevulgarityandbadtaste。
TheTournamentisacarnivalofthe\"smart\"andthethird-rate。
Courtesyisdead，evenTristramisbrutal，andinIseulthatredofherhusbandisaspowerfulasloveofherlover。ThesatirestrikesatEngland，wheretheworldhasneverbeencorruptwithagoodgrace。
ItisapassageofarmsneithergentlenorjoyousthatLancelotpresidesover:-
\"ThesuddentrumpetsoundedasinadreamToearsbuthalf-awaked，thenonelowrollOfAutumnthunder，andthejoustsbegan:
Andeverthewindblew，andyellowingleafAndgloomandgleam，andshowerandshornplumeWentdownit。Sighingweariedly，asoneWhositsandgazesonafadedfire，Whenallthegoodlierguestsarepastaway，Sattheirgreatumpire，lookingo\'erthelists。
HesawthelawsthatruledthetournamentBroken，butspakenot；once，aknightcastdownBeforehisthroneofarbitrationcursedThedeadbabeandthefolliesoftheKing；
Andoncethelacesofahelmetcrack\'d，Andshow\'dhim，likeavermininitshole，Modred，anarrowface:anonheheardThevoicethatbillow\'droundthebarriersroarAnocean-soundingwelcometooneknight，Butnewly-enter\'d，tallerthantherest，Andarmour\'dallinforestgreen，whereonTheretriptahundredtinysilverdeer，Andwearingbutaholly-sprayforcrest，Withever-scatteringberries，andonshieldAspear，aharp，abugle——Tristram——lateFromoverseasinBrittanyreturn\'d，Andmarriagewithaprincessofthatrealm，IsolttheWhite——SirTristramoftheWoods-
WhomLancelotknew，hadheldsometimewithpainHisownagainsthim，andnowyearn\'dtoshakeTheburthenoffhisheartinonefullshockWithTristramev\'ntodeath:hisstronghandsgriptAnddintedthegiltdragonsrightandleft，Untilhegroan\'dforwrath——somanyofthose，Thatwaretheirladies\'coloursonthecasque，DrewfrombeforeSirTristramtothebounds，AndtherewithgibesandflickeringmockeriesStood，whilehemutter\'d，\'Cravencrests!Oshame!
Whatfaithhavetheseinwhomtheyswaretolove？
ThegloryofourRoundTableisnomore。\'
SoTristramwon，andLancelotgave，thegems，Notspeakingotherwordthan\'Hastthouwon？
Artthouthepurest，brother？See，thehandWherewiththoutakestthis，isred!\'towhomTristram，halfplaguedbyLancelot\'slanguorousmood，Madeanswer，\'Ay，butwhereforetossmethisLikeadrybonecasttosomehungryhound？
LetbethyfairQueen\'sfantasy。StrengthofheartAndmightoflimb，butmainlyuseandskill，ArewinnersinthispastimeofourKing。
Myhand——belikethelancehathdriptuponit-
Nobloodofmine，Itrow；butOchiefknight，RightarmofArthurinthebattlefield，Greatbrother，thounorIhavemadetheworld；