"Let not my rusting tears make your sword light! Ah! God of mercy how he turns away! So, ever must I dress me to the fight, "So--let God's justice work! Gauwaine, I say, See me hew down your proofs: yea all men know Even as you said how Mellyagraunce one day, "One bitter day in _la Fausse Garde_, for so All good knights held it after, saw-- Yea, sirs, by cursed unknightly outrage; though "You, Gauwaine, held his word without a flaw, This Mellyagraunce saw blood upon my bed-- Whose blood then pray you? is there any law "To make a queen say why some spots of red Lie on her coverlet? or will you say, 'Your hands are white, lady, as when you wed, "'Where did you bleed?' and must I stammer out--'Nay', I blush indeed, fair lord, only to rend My sleeve up to my shoulder, where there lay "'A knife-point last night:' so must I defend The honour of the lady Guenevere? Not so, fair lords, even if the world should end "This very day, and you were judges here Instead of God. Did you see Mellyagraunce When Launcelot stood by him? what white fear "Curdled his blood, and how his teeth did dance, His side sink in? as my knight cried and said, 'Slayer of unarm'd men, here is a chance! "'Setter of traps, I pray you guard your head, By God I am so glad to fight with you, Stripper of ladies, that my hand feels lead "'For driving weight; hurrah now! draw and do, For all my wounds are moving in my breast, And I am getting mad with waiting so.' "He struck his hands together o'er the beast, Who fell down flat, and grovell'd at his feet, And groan'd at being slain so young--'at least.' "My knight said, 'Rise you, sir, who are so fleet At catching ladies, half-arm'd will I fight, My left side all uncover'd!' then I weet, "Up sprang Sir Mellyagraunce with great delight Upon his knave's face; not until just then Did I quite hate him, as I saw my knight "Along the lists look to my stake and pen With such a joyous smile, it made me sigh From agony beneath my waist-chain, when "The fight began, and to me they drew nigh; Ever Sir Launcelot kept him on the right, And traversed warily, and ever high "And fast leapt caitiff's sword, until my knight Sudden threw up his sword to his left hand, Caught it, and swung it; that was all the fight. "Except a spout of blood on the hot land; For it was hottest summer; and I know I wonder'd how the fire, while I should stand, "And burn, against the heat, would quiver so, Yards above my head; thus these matters went: Which things were only warnings of the woe "That fell on me. Yet Mellyagraunce was shent, For Mellyagraunce had fought against the Lord; Therefore, my lords, take heed lest you be blent "With all this wickedness; say no rash word Against me, being so beautiful; my eyes, Wept all away the grey, may bring some sword