he defence against Love, but defence is not what she wants. God!
She does not know that Alexander is thinking of her too! Love bestows
upon them equally such a share as is their due. He treats them very
fairly and justly, for each one loves and desires the other. And this
love would be true and right if only each one knew what was the other's
wish. But he does not know what her desire is, and she knows not the
cause of his distress.

(Vv. 541-574.) The Queen takes note of them and sees them often blanch
and pale and heave deep sighs and tremble. But she knows no reason why
they should do so, unless it be because of the sea where they are. I
think she would have divined the cause had the sea not thrown her off
her guard, but the sea deceives and tricks her, so that she does not
discover love because of the sea; and it is from love that comes the
bitter pain that distresses them. [212] But of the three concerned,
the Queen puts all the blame upon the sea; for the other two accuse the
third to her, and hold it alone responsible for their guilt. Some one
who is not at fault is often blamed for another's wrong. Thus, the Queen
lays all the blame and guilt upon the sea, but it is unfair to put the
blame upon the sea, for it is guilty of no misdeed. Soredamors' deep
distress continued until the vessel came to port. As for the King, it is
well known that the Bretons were greatly pleased, and served him gladly
as their liege lord. But of King Arthur I will not longer speak in
this place; rather shall you hear me tell how Love distresses these two
lovers whom he has attacked.

(Vv. 575-872.) Alexander loves and desires her; and she, too, pines for
the love of him, but he knows it not, nor will he know it until he
has suffered many a pain and many a grief. It is for her sake that he
renders to the Queen loving service, as well as to her maids-in-waiting;
but to her on whom his thoughts are fixed, he dares not speak or address
a word. If she but dared to assert to him the right which she thinks she
has, she would gladly inform him of the truth; but she does not dare,
and cannot do it. They dare neither speak nor act in accordance with
what each sees in the other--which works a great hardship to them both,
and their love but grows and flames the more. However, it is the custom
of all lovers to feast their eyes gladly with gazing, if they can do
no more; and they assume that, because they find pleasure in that which
causes their lov