The Tale of Balen

"The Tale of Balen" by Algernon Charles Swinburne is a poem that tells the sad story of Sir Balen, a knight in King Arthur's court, whose life takes a turn for the worse because of destiny. It explores ideas like being brave, honest, and loyal to family. The poem shows what can happen when people act based on strong feelings like pride, jealousy, and love, all within the famous stories of King Arthur. Balen rises to fame as a respected knight, but after unknowingly killing another knight, he receives a curse from a strange prophet. Seeking to do good, Balen starts a dangerous trip. He later encounters his brother, Balan but, they do not realize they are related and end up fighting each other. Their deaths follow the prophecy, combining heroism with deep sadness, and highlighting the unavoidable disaster that awaits noble knights trapped by fate.