Until a thousand companies—
Serf-lords from out Thogeel
Their broadswords brake across their knees,
Good captives to her steel.
And then I sware by name and crown,
And by the Holy Ghost,
When Peace should ride with pennon blown,
From Gathan to Dagost,
Unto her kingdom I should get,
And come not back again,
Until a queen's hand I had set
Upon my bridle rein.
Our ships now nestle at Her coast,
Her corn our garner fills;
And all is quiet at Dagost,
And on the Blymar Hills.
And I will do a deed to bind
An ancient love once more;
My gentlemen shall ride behind,
My Captain on before;
And we will journey forth to-night
Towards the Sea of Var,
Until the vale shall come in sight,
Where Her great cities are.
And to the Daughter of that land,
Which once was kin to mine,
My Captain, he shall bear in hand
This sacred bread and wine.
And he shall show her soft and fair
This peace-spread sacrament:
Her banner it shall ride the air
Upon my Captain's tent.
And if the wine to lip she raise,
With morsel of my bread;
Then as we loved in ancient days,
These lands of ours shall wed.
But mine the tribute. I will bring
My homage to her door,
My gentlemen behind their king,
My Captain on before.