Crossword-Solution: CAERLEON 8 letters, 3 clues 🏆 scrabble score: 10

When late I left Caerleon, our great Queen, In words whose echo lasts, they were so sweet, Made promise, that whatever bride I brought, Herself would clothe her like the sun in Heaven.

For he that always bare in bitter grudge The slights of Arthur and his Table, Mark The Cornish King, had heard a wandering voice, A minstrel of Caerleon by strong storm Blown into shelter at Tintagil, say That out of naked knightlike purity Sir Lancelot worshipt no unmarried girl But the great Queen herself, fought in her name, Sware by her—vows like theirs, that high in heaven Love most, but neither marry, nor are given In marriage, angels of our Lord’s report.

Again she said, “O wild and of the woods, Knowest thou not the fashion of our speech? Or have the Heavens but given thee a fair face, Lacking a tongue?” “O damsel,” answered he, “I woke from dreams; and coming out of gloom Was dazzled by the sudden light, and crave Pardon: but will ye to Caerleon? I Go likewise: shall I lead you to the King?” “Lead then,” she said; and through the woods they went.

And when they reached Caerleon, ere they past to lodging, she, Taking his hand, “O the strong hand,” she said, “See! look at mine! but wilt thou fight for me, And win me this fine circlet, Pelleas, That I may love thee?” Then his helpless heart Leapt, and he cried, “Ay! wilt thou if I win?” “Ay, that will I,” she answered, and she laughed, And straitly nipt the hand, and flung it from her; Then glanced askew at those three knights of hers, Till all her ladies laughed along with her.

Then at Caerleon for a space—her look Bright for all others, cloudier on her knight— Lingered Ettarre: and seeing Pelleas droop, Said Guinevere, “We marvel at thee much, O damsel, wearing this unsunny face To him who won thee glory!” And she said, “Had ye not held your Lancelot in your bower, My Queen, he had not won.” Whereat the Queen, As one whose foot is bitten by an ant, Glanced down upon her, turned and went her way.