High hope in Balen's heart alight
Laughed, as from all that clamorous fight
He passed and sought not Arthur's sight,
Who fain had found his kingliest knight
⁠And made amend for Balen's wrong.
But Merlin gave his soul to see
Fate, rising as a shoreward sea,
And all the sorrow that should be
⁠Ere hope or fear thought long.

'O where are they whose hands upbore
My battle,' Arthur said, 'before
The wild Welsh host's wide rage and roar?
Balen and Balan, Pellinore,
⁠Where are they?' Merlin answered him:
'Balen shall be not long away
From sight of you, but night nor day
Shall bring his brother back to say
⁠If life burn bright or dim.'