Terzanelle of Arthur

The mailed fist hangs heavy on the shield,
The bravest armour now, aside must rust.
Long since the final giant has had to yield
And all the lands in Arthur set their trust.
This is the time when Mordred is at court,
The bravest armour now, aside must rust,
When knighthoods and fair honours can be bought
And Arthur's beard shows white, and his eyes dull.
This is the time when Mordred is at court
Spreading the rumour, Gueneviere's a trull,
And Lancelot is at her chamber seen,
And Arthur's beard shows white, and his eyes dull -
Frosted as broken glass that once were keen -
To bear the weight of kingdom barely won,
And Lancelot is at her chamber seen,
And rumour tells of things that fall undone.
The mailed fist hangs heavy on the shield
To bear the weight of kingdom barely won
Long since the final giant has had to yield.