From Book One, Chapter XIV (set to any tune with common meter + 3/3)

A moonlit eve ere midsummer’s day,   Igraine caught Uther’s eye— Her beauty stole his breath away,  Stole away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love shall lend an ear.

With hair as gold as harvest rye,   Lips red as berry tart, With eyes as blue as summer’s sky,   She looked away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love never was so clear.

Gorlois sensed Uther’s love-struck heart,  The fire in his breast; He said, my dear, we must depart,  Haste away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love never be so dear.

When Uther sought his missing guest,  He yearned for a fight. He burned as if a man obsessed,  Burned away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love, wait another year.

‘O dark dishonor, damned low slight,’  The fierce Pendragon cried. ‘That Gorlois fled my feast tonight,  Fled away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love cannot hide this smear.”

To Tintagel the two had hied,  While all were fast asleep, Gorlois locked up his lovely bride,  Locked away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love cannot disappear.

The narrow bridge, the sea-cliffs steep,  Where cold winds cruelly blow, No band of rogues could raid the keep,  To take Igraine away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love’s vengeance circles near.

The Dragon gazed up from below,  And this he gravely swore: ‘To battle brave Gorlois shall go,  Go, away, away.’ Hear, hear, o hear! Love sharpens envy’s spear.

When Saxons next knocked at our door,  Each striker raised a shield. Gorlois, he led the band to war,  Led them away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love casts out every fear.

He fell upon the battle-field—  Our splendid warrior died. And Igraine’s bonds to him unsealed,  Fell away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love has built a bier.”

O, Uther wept, and Igraine cried—  Their woe seemed without end. But hearts heal faster, side by side,  Tears wash away, away. Hear, hear, o hear! Love dries every tear.

‘I cannot lose another friend,’  So wept widowed Igraine. ‘Stay here, and help my heart to mend,  Fly not away, away.’ Hear, hear, o hear! Love will bring new cheer.

❀ igraine pendragon - modern moodboard ❀

Harp Lessons Medium : Digital Painting Software : Krita

Pink Roses (?)