The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems

BY
Reprinted from the Kelmscott Press Edition as revised by the Author
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA 1908
All rights reserved
First Edition, Bell & Daldy, 1858 Reprinted, 1875, for Ellis & White, and Subsequently for Reeves & Turner Kelmscott Press Edition (revised by the Author), 1892 Transferred to Longmans, Green, & Co., 1896 New Edition corrected by Kelmscott Press Edition, May 1900 Reprinted January 1908


BUT, knowing now that they would have her speak, She threw her wet hair backward from her brow, Her hand close to her mouth touching her cheek,
As though she had had there a shameful blow, And feeling it shameful to feel ought but shame All through her heart, yet felt her cheek burned so,
She must a little touch it; like one lame She walked away from Gauwaine, with her head Still lifted up; and on her cheek of flame
The tears dried quick; she stopped at last and said: O knights and lords, it seems but little skill To talk of well-known things past now and dead.
God wot I ought to say, I have done ill, And pray you all forgiveness heartily! Because you must be right, such great lords; still