‘I pray thee reach thine hand,

And draw me forth, or ere I sink,

Unto the firmer land.’

“Nor quailed nor wavered that valiant knight;

‘For Christ’s dear sake let it be!’

And out he reached his strong right hand,

And the leper-man forth drew he.

“Then the leper-man’s face grew bright as the sun

When he smiles on the earth at morn;

And his voice was soft as the summer breeze