Sir Eldric

Sir Eldric rode by field and fen
To reach the haunts of heathen men.

About the dusk he came unto
A wood of birchen gray,
And on the other side he knew
The heathen country lay.

"'Tis but a night," he sang, "to ride,
And Christ shall reach the other side."

The moon came peering through the trees,
And found him undismayed;
For still he sang his litanies,
And as he rode he prayed.

He looked as young and pure and glad
As ever looked Sir Galahad.

About the middle of the night
He came upon the brink
Of running waters clear and white,
And lighted there to drink.

And as he knelt a hidden foe
Crept from behind and smote him so.

He turned; he felt his heart's blood run;
He sought his enemy:
"And shall I leave my deeds undone,
And die for such as thee?"

And since a knight was either man,
They wrestled till the dawn began.

Then in the dim and rustling place,
Amid the thyme and dew,
Sir Eldric dealt the stroke of grace,
And sank a-dying too,
And thought upon that other's plight
Who was not sure of Heaven to-night.

He dipped his fingers in his breast;
He sought in vain to rise;
He leaned across his foe at rest,
And murmured, "I baptise!"

When lo! the sun broke overhead:
There, at his side, Himself lay dead!