Galahad in the Castle of the Maidens

The other maidens raised their eyes to him

Who stumbled in before them when the fight

Had left him victor, with a victor's right.

I think his eyes with quick hot tears grew dim;

He scarcely saw her swaying white and slim,

And trembling slightly, dreaming of his might,

Nor knew he touched her hand, as strangely light

As a wan wraith's beside a river's rim.

The other maidens raised their eyes to see

And only she has hid her face away,

And yet I ween she loved him more than they,

And very fairly fashioned was her face.

Yet for Love's shame and sweet humility,

She dared not meet him with their queenlike grace.