Galahad In The Castle Of The Maidens

by 

(To the maiden with the hidden face in AbbeyΒ’s painting)

The other maidens raised their eyes to him
Who stumbled in before them when the fight
Had left him victor, with a victorΒ’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 wraithΒ’s beside a riverΒ’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 LoveΒ’s shame and sweet humility,
She dared not meet him with their queen-like grace.