So a wild specter down wide stairs she fled,

Burst on a glare of links and glittering mail,

That shrunk her eyes and made her senses quail.

To her a bulk of iron, bearded fierce,

Down from a steaming steed into her ears,

"This from the King, a boon!" laughed harsh and hoarse;

Two henchmen beckoned, who pitched sheer with force,

Loud clanging at her feet, hacked, hewn and red,

Crusted with blood a knight in armor—dead;

Even Accolon, tossed with the mocking scoff