ROMANCE OF BRITOMARTE 



Miles mutter'd *' Madness ! " Dame Ruth 

 look'd grave, 

 Said '' True, though we cannot keep one 

 hour 

 The courtyard, no, nor the stables, save 

 They will have to batter piecemeal the 

 tower, 



And thus " But suddenly she halted 



there. 

 With a shining hand on my shoulder laid, 

 Stood Gwendoline. She had left her chair. 

 And, " Nay, if it needs must be done," she 

 said, 

 ** Ralph Leigh will gladly do it, I ween. 

 For the glory of God and of Gwendoline." 



I had undertaken a heavier task 



For a lighter word. I saddled with care, 

 Nor cumber'd myself with corselet nor casque 

 (Being loth to burden the brave brown 

 mare). 

 Young Clare kept watch on the wall — he 

 cried, 

 " Now, haste, Ralph ! this is the time to 



seize, 



267 



