Owain ap Urien,
Prince of Rheged,
Bade his banner
Be raised again;
Rallied his ravens,
Thrice a hundred,
A black bane
To Arthur's army.

Owain and Arthur
Studied each other
Over the chess-board
Made all of silver.
"Owain," said Arthur,
"Forbid thy ravens."
"Play thy game, Lord!"
Said Owain.

The wingèd warriors
Far from forbidden
By that banner
Rose up, wrathful;
Tumult and triumph
Took them and tossed them,
Fierce in their fury
From hurt and pain.

Over the chess-board
Owain and Arthur,
Poring, marvelled,
Paused and hearkened.
"Owain," said Arthur,
"Forbid thy ravens."
"Play thy game, Lord!"
Said Owain.

The weather darkened.
To Arthur's side
A knight came riding,
All flame and scarlet,
Whose lance, blue-shafted,
From point to haft
Was darker dyed
With blood and plumage.

"Carest thou not,
O King," he cried,
For thy young men slain,
For thy household's damage?"
"Owain," said Arthur,
"Forbid thy ravens."
"Play thy game, Lord!"
Said Owain.

From the board of silver,
Very slowly,
With thumb and finger
Arthur lifted
One golden bishop.
In Arthur's fist
The golden bishop
Crumbled to dust.

Then Owain beckoned
His younger brother,
A prince of Rheged,
Giving the order
To have his banner
Lowered again.
So it was lowered,
And peace did reign.