The Song of Dinadan, and the Refrain of Le Belle Isoud

by: Ernest Rhys (Author)

from: Lays of the Round Table and Other Lyric Romances (Pp. 4 - 5)  1905

      "I marval much," said Dinadan,
            "What madness knights may know,
      That follow love like Sir Tristan,
            And find it bitter woe."
"Ah!" said La Belle Isoud, "say not so!"

      "But think," said he, "of Sir Tristan,
            Besotted many a year!
      As joyous once as Dinadan -
            He has bought thy love too dear."
"Ah!" said La Belle Isoud, "say not so!"

      What ails then all their knightly sport,
            That love should change their song?
      For the joy of love is all too short,
            And the sorrow far too long."
"Ah!" said La Belle Isoud, "say not so!"

      "The joy of love is all too brief,
            And very long the woe:
      For joy's the flower, but love, the leaf,
            Endures that saw it go."
"Ah!" said La Belle Isoud, "say not so!"

Additional Information
Taken from Rhys's Guenevere: A Lyric Play (1905).