PLEASE LEND HER GRACE

My tale of pain, to be forever in disgrace,
Mad woman of Shalott .... listen gently.
A woman scorned should n'er be forgot.

Forgotten, Elaine of the long days alone.
Though late, he said I'd a "lovely" face;
Little solace, I could never win his heart.

My brave handsome Lancelot, so briefly
While a champion he would be for me,
'twas only to hid himself for deadly sport.

And when he fell, I did arise to tend him
Ever faithfully, gradually seeking love;
Maybe even cursing it with some spell.

But care I took, nursed and loved him so,
True to Guinevere he still pledged himself.
Forever I've pined away for love, forever.

His queen he desired, for only her smile
Stoked his fires, as mine lay cold ashes
Haunting the warmth only she gave him.

Whilst my blood turned to ice like a floe,
And my barge floated back to Camelot
A lover unrequited, the Lady of Shalott.

(c) 2003 Elaine Loraine d'Orgain aka Rennie Lorca