Between the bronze-brown of his eyes and her,
There sudden came a faint and misty veil;
Through the wide-open window a sun’s beam
Flashed on it, making o’er her bowed head
A halo from his own unfallen tears. 
He rose and lifted her, loosed her sweet hands,
And fell upon his knees low at her feet. 
“Leorre, my love, my queen, my woman-saint,
I am not worthy, but I take your quest;
I will not falter and I will not swerve
Until I see the Grail, or pass to where
I see the glory it but symbols here,
In Paradise.  Beloved, all the world
Is better for your living, all the air
Is sweeter for your breathing, and all love
Is holier, purer, that you may be loved.”

“Rise, Kathanal, stand still and let me gaze
Upon you with that purpose in your face! 
So brave, so resolute!  I love you, Kathanal! 
Nay! do not touch me, listen to my words! 
Surely it cannot be a sin to speak,
Perchance it is a debt I owe my knight
For his life’s consecration, once to say
To him, as I have said to my own heart,
Just how I love him.

“I would follow you
Across the world, if it might be, a slave,
To serve you at your bidding night and day;
Or I would rouse me to my highest pride
That I might be your queen, and lead you on
To glory.  I am strong to do and bear
The uttermost my mind can think, for you,
To cheer you, help you, strengthen you; and yet—­
I am a woman, and my senses thrill
If you but touch the border of my robe,
And if you take my hand, before the court,
And raise it to your lips, I faint, I die,
With the vast tide of my unconquered love.”

“Great Christ! how can I hear you and depart? 
I did not know you loved me.  O my sweet,
Here by your side I stay; my quest shall be
The love-light dawning in your shining eyes.”

“Is this your answer, Kathanal,” she sighed,
“To the unveiling of my heart of hearts? 
No! now, if ever, you will surely go
On the sole quest that makes that action right.”

“Leorre, come once to me!” he said with arms
Outstretched to her.  Quickly she backward drew
With one swift whispered “Kathanal!”

“Leorre,
You cannot love and be so calm and still;
My soul would sacrifice both earth and heaven
For one full, rapturous kiss from those sweet lips
That lure me on to madness by their spell.”

“It is my love that keeps me calm,” she said;
“Love makes us strong for what is bitterest;
Were we faint-hearted through imperfect love
We could not part; but loving perfectly
We are full strong for that, and all things else.