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The Lay That Had No End

by: Ernest Rhys (Author)

from: Lays of the Round Table and Other Lyric Romances (Pp. 60 - 61) 1905

"Puis comence le iengleor Bloys
Deslaiaux de mort du roy:
Mais porquoi on dit.
Sanz fin james laisser çi."

["Then begins the jongleur of Blois his lays of the King's death. But one keeps saying, 'Why, why?' all the while: and this song is left for ever without an end."]

                           I
"The sun sank red, the moon as red
   As blood did rise o'er Caerbrë town;
The King," he sang. "But Bloys," I said,
    "Come tell me where is Caerbrë town?"

                             II
"The Haut King, red with blood, returned
   From Barendown's fire, and came therein
To die," he sang. "What in him burned,
   Dark Mordred's death? or Gwenevere's sin?"

                             III
"They buried in his blood the dead;
   But One bore water there to save
The King," he sang. "But Bloys," I said,
    "Where lies indeed the Haut King's grave?"