What feeble wit of man might here suffice, To point with colours dim Sir Lanval's extacies! There lapt in bliss he lies, there fain would stay, There dream the remnant of his life away: But o'er their loves his dew still evening shed, Night gathered on amain, and thus the fairy said; 'Rise, knight! I may not longer keep thee here; Back to the court return and nothing fear, There, in all princely cost, profusely free, Maintain the honour of thyself and me; There feed thy lavish fancies uncontroul'd, And trust the exhaustless power of fairy gold. 'But should reflection thy soft bosom move, And wake sad wishes for thy absent love; (And sure such wishes thou canst never frame, From any place where presence would be shame), Whene'er thou call thy joyful eyes shall see This form, invisible to all but thee. One thing I warn thee; let the blessing rest An unrevealed treasure in thy breast; If here thou fail, that hour my favours end, Nor wilt thou ever more behold thy friend:'-- Here, with a parting kiss, broke off the fay, 'Farewell!' she cried, and sudden pass'd away. The knight look'd up, and just without the tent Beheld his faithful steed, and forth he went; Light on his back he leap'd with graceful mein, And to the towers of Carduel turn'd the rein; Yet ever and anon he look'd behind With strange amaz'd uncertainty of mind, As one who hop'd some further proofs to spy If all were airy dream or just reality. And now great Arthur's court beheld the knight In sumptuous guise magnificently dight; Large were his presents, cost was nothing spar'd, And every former friend his bounty shar'd. Now ransom'd thralls, now worthy knights supplied With equipage their scanty means denied; Now minstrels clad their patron's deeds proclaim, And add just honour to Sir Lanval's name. Nor did his kindness yield a sparing meed To the poor pilgrim, in his lowly weed; Nor less to those who erst, in fight renown'd, Had borne the bloody cross, and warr'd on paynim ground: Yet, as his best belov'd so lately told, His unexhausted purse o'erflow'd with gold. But what far dearer solace did impart, And thrill'd with thankfulness his loyal heart, Was the choice privilege, that, night or day, Whene'er his whisper'd prayer invok'd the fay, That loveliest form, surpassing mortal charms, Bless'd his fond eyes, and fill'd his circling arms. Now shall ye hear how these delights so pure Chang'd all to trouble and discomfiture.