'And as the maiden's fair behest
Shall bid you follow on my quest,
Follow: and when God's will sees best,
Revenge my death, and let me rest
⁠As one that lived and died a knight,
Unstained of shame alive or dead.'
And Balen, wrung with sorrow, said,
'That shall I do: my hand and head
⁠I pledge to do you right.'

And thence with sorrowing heart and cheer
He rode, in grief that cast out fear
Lest death in darkness yet were near,
And bore the truncheon of the spear
⁠Wherewith the woful knight lay slain
To her with whom he rode, and she
Still bare it with her, fain to see
What righteous doom of God's might be
⁠The darkling manslayer's bane.