Chapter LVI: Part V: The King

Behold! Sir Lez-Breiz goes to meet
The king himself to-day.
Who brings five thousand horsemen brave
To aid him in the fray.
But, hark! before he rideth forth,
A peal of thunder dread
Rolls through the echoing skies, and breaks
Above Sir Lez-Breiz’ head.

His gentle squire lent anxious heed
That omen ill unto:
“In heaven’s name, my lord, I pray
Stay you at home. This opening day
Augurs not well for you.”

“What, then, my page? Abide at home?
Nay, that can never be.
The order I have given to march,
And, therefore, march must we.
And I will march while spark of life
Remains alight in me,
Until that king of forest land
Beneath my heel I see.”

This hearing, sprang his sister dear
Up to his bridle-rein.
“My brother, go not forth, for ne’er
Wilt thou return again.
Then wherefore, brother, thus to meet
Thy death wouldst thou be gone?
For wert thou slain, I should be left
Alone, thy only one.

“The White Horse of the Sea behold
I see upon the shore;
A monstrous serpent him around
Entwineth more and more.
Behind, his flanks are interlaced
By two terrific rings;
Around his body, neck, and legs
The hideous monster clings.

“The hapless creature, stifled, scorched,
On his hind feet uprears,
Turns back his head, and with his teeth
The serpent’s throat he tears.
The monster gaping wide, his tongue—
His triple tongue—darts forth,
Fiery and pois’nous, rolls his eyes
And hisses, mad with wrath.

“But, ah! his snakelings, venomous brood,
To aid him swarm around;
The strife is all unequal: fly
While thou art safe and sound.”
“Nay, let the Franks by thousands come;
From death I do not flee.”
E’en as he spake, already far,
Far from his home was he.