xxvix      When he awoke his forehead throbbed in pain. Until he found his harp he stumbled round. No shadow fell. He heard a hunting strain, A thunderous din, the sound of horse and hound. And peering though a nettle bush he found A hundred knights all dressed in snowy white On steeds as light as moon-lit hoary ground. He spied their King whose crown was flashing bright.    Although it looked so fair, it gave him no delight. xxx      They passed. then followed fast another pack. For these were falconer's all women, fair. Before them rode a Queen, but dressed in black With raven hair upon a sable mare. He saw a women near her turn and stare At him. Etain it was! And him she knew! They spoke no word. He guessed she wouldn't dare, But tears fell on his cheek and on hers too!    The Queen saw this. Etain then blushed a rosy hue. xxxi      A trumpet blared. "Now, onward!" cried the Queen, Who passing smiled at him. But did it spite Or envy, sympathy or malice mean? When they had gone he said, "When I lost sight Of fair Etain, I gave up every right  I had as King and sought a hermit's life. To save her I have little wit or might. No painful death is greater than this strife.    I'll go, if only to be near my love, my wife."  xxxii      But after her he didn't run. Instead, His fingers nervously began to play A melody, but not out of his head. Why did his harp such strange tones interlay? Then there appeared a wolf all dappled-gray Who bent his back as if to let him ride. 'Bove robins circled round to point the way. He mounted. On they went. His eyes still cried,    But in his heart he felt no jealousy or pride. xxxiii      To linger near Etain was all he sought. He was surprised how fast the wolf could go And how his fingers flew o'er strings so taut.

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