The Last Love Of Gawaine

*

An Arthurian Miscellany
You will betray me--oh, deny it not!

What right have I, alas, to say you nay?

I, traitor of ten loves, what shall I say

To plead with you that I be not forgot?

My love has not been squandered jot by jot

In little loves that perish with the day.

My treason has been ever to the sway

Of queens; my faith has known no petty blot.

You will betray me, as I have betrayed,

And I shall kiss the hand that does me wrong.

And oh, not pardon--I need pardon more--

But in proud torment, grim and unafraid,

Burn in my hell nor cease the bitter song

Your beauty triumphs in forevermore.