Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-13
FOR THE HERALD.
THE CYMRIC BRIDE.

SIN Olde days of the Kyng Arthour
OF which that Britouns spoken ,gret honor.
Twas to lowered Camelot
Where, as Cymric poets sing,
Arthur dwelt and Merlin wrought
Wonders for the stainless king,
Ere that shame had left a blot
On the name of table round
That knight came riding bound
From the white fords of Shallot,
Quit by sword of Launcelot.
Unto Arthur's queen he came
With the victors stern behest
That his honor or his shame
With fair Guinevere should rest
This ere whispered breath of blame
Brought her guilt to Arthur's earl;
And the mild queen drawing near,
Felt the beauty of his face
Pleading with her heart fer grace.
"Thus, Sir Knight" spake Guinevere,
by twelvemonth / require
You shall wisely me declare
What It's women most desire;
If so done, your life l spare"
For debate had lately run
In the court this matter on,
Nor had knight of table round
Answer for his lady found.
What to do this knight wist not;
Hid the thought from Uther son,
All but hopeless seemed his lot,
Yet withal fast rode he on,
Down the land from Camelot,
Making quest where'er he CHANGED,
Till the fruitless days advanced
Within one of that must seal
Fate for him in woe or veal.
Turning back that fateful morn,
Where the mellow sunlight glanced,
Through the bowers of whitening thorn
Saw he elfin maids that danced
To the winds low piping horn.
Gliding forms turned left and right,
Clothed in samite, spotless white;
Dulcet laughter shook the leaves
Thrilled the knight behind his greaves.
Here" thought he, sat last find
Hope of life and wisdom's cheer;
These in truth shall ease my mind,
Solve this secret ban my fear"
So his charger in he reined,
Sought the maids in samite clad
But each maiden vanished had
Ere he reached the hawthorn's shade:-
Sat withered crone instead.
Sighed the knight in heavy frame,
Sighed and turned his chargers head.
yet" unused he, "this ancient dame
May well serve me in my need:
Mother" quoth he, 'service claim
As you choose, fer peace or strife;
So your answer stay my life,
For seek through judgment dire
What tbs women most desire"
None repenting, by your fay,
Never of your fortune 10th,
shortly shall you learn to say:''
So he swore the fateful oath;
Then they journeyed on their way;
She beside him walked alway
And, though feeble, halted not
Till they stood in Camelot.
Low before the queen bowed he
Saying, "AS your words require,
Wait I1lere yOur maipStV
What fair ladies most desire
Sure is to have sovereignty"
Wisely is your answer plann'd,
Spoke the queen, her jeweled hand
Waving truce TO Launcelot;
Shouted then all Camelot.
Truce not yet, fair lady, queen"
Cried the crone, ''for that this thought
Yestermorn while on the green
To the knight my wisdom taught.
None will he deny l ween;
AS he swore him, by his fay,
OF no wish to say me nay;
Now, my sovereign lady, need
Must the knight this day me we'd
Rueful was the knight that day
Yet as his oath required him,
Took the crone without delay.
Feast there was ne merry time,
Voice of mirth nor tourney gay,
But lament in Camelot
To see knight so lowly brought,
Goodly knight and nobly bred
Lowly brought and loathly wed.
But true knight unto his vow,
Fate reserved him happy end,
For with morrows dawning, lol
Fairest bride did hymen send.
Fair with youth and beauty's glow;
For that loathly face and form
Did but hide goddess charm
Faithful love crowned all his days,
Faithful love and knightly praise
II. NJ DU BOSE.