RHYME OF JOYOUS GUARD 



Then was bloodshed — not by untoward 



chance, 

 As the blood that is drawn with the jouster's 



lance, 

 The fray in the castle of Melegrance, 



The fight in the lists with Mador. 



Then the guilt made manifest, then the siege, 

 When the true men rallying round the liege 



Belea,guer'd his base betrayer. 

 Then the fruitless parleys, the pleadings vain, 

 And the hard-fought battles with brave 



Gawaine, 

 Twice worsted, and once so nearly slain, 



I may well be counted his slayer. 



Then the crime of Modred — a little sin 

 At the side of mine, though the knave was kin 

 To the king by the knave's hand 



stricken. 

 And the once loved knight, washe there to save 

 That knightly king who that knighthood gave ? 

 Ah, Christ ! will he greet me as knight or 



knave 



In the day when the dust shall quicken ? 



247 



