PART II.

THE RETURN.

Marvelled much Sir Morvan Lez-Breiz, Now a knight renowned; Famous, among warriors famous All the country round,— Marvelled much Sir Morvan Lez-Breiz, When, in ten years’ time, To his home once more returning, In his manhood’s prime,

Brambles he beheld, and nettles, Springing wild and free In the court and on the threshold, Desolate to see. Thickly clung the clustering ivy O’er the ruined wall, And a poor, blind, aged woman Answered to his call.

“Canst thou, worthy grandame, give me Lodging for the night?” “Willingly, my lord, but ‘twill be Neither fair nor bright. Ever since the child went wandering, Wandering far away, Young and headstrong, has the manor Fallen to decay.”

Scarcely had she finished speaking, When a damsel fair, When a damsel fair came slowly Down the broken stair. And she sadly gazed upon him, Through her tears she gazed: “Wherefore, maiden, art thou weeping?” Lez-Breiz asked, amazed.

“Why, my lord knight, I am weeping Freely will I say: Of your age I have a brother. Long since gone away. Forth he went to be a warrior, Ten long years ago; So, whene’er a knight I see, my Heart is full of woe.

“Therefore ever am I weeping When a knight I see, For I think, my little brother, Where, ah! where is he?” “Had you, then, one only brother, Gentle maiden? say: And your mother? prithee tell me Have you none, I pray?”

“Have I yet another brother In the world? Ah! no; But and if he be in heaven, That I do not know. Thither passed away my mother, Who for sorrow died When he left us. I have now my Nurse, and none beside.

“There, beyond the door, my mother’s Bed you still may see: And her arm-chair by the hearth-stone, Where ‘twas wont to be. Her blest cross I wear—the only Comfort left to me.”

Groaned so deeply Seigneur Lez-Breiz That the maiden said, “You, lord knight, have lost a mother? Your heart, too, has bled?” “Lost my mother have I truly: Her myself I slew!” “In the name of heaven, then, sir, Who and what are you?”

“I am Morvan, son of Konan: Lez-Breiz named am I, Sister mine.” The young girl trembled As one like to die. Both his arms the brother folded Round his sister dear, And the maiden fondly kissed him, Shedding many a tear.

“Long, my brother, have we lost thee, Since God let thee go; He again to me has led thee, Having willed it so. Blest my brother, blest be he, Who has pity had on me!”