Galahad In The Castle Of The Maidens

by Sara Teasdale

　　

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(To the maiden with the hidden face in Abbey’s painting) 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 queen-like grace.

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