And the other craved his name, beguiled
By hope that made his madness mild.
Again Sir Balen spake and smiled:
'My name is Balen, called the Wild
⁠By knights whom kings and courts make tame,
Because I ride alone afar
And follow but my soul for star.'
'Ah, sir, I know the knight you are
⁠And all your fiery fame.

'The knight that bears two swords I know,
Most praised of all men, friend and foe,
For prowess of your hands, that show
Dark war the way where balefires glow
⁠And kindle glory like the dawn's.'
So spake the sorrowing knight, and stood
As one whose heart fresh hope made good:
And forth they rode by wold and wood
⁠And down the glimmering lawns.