Pollie Clarke (fl. 1893-1895)

Taking inspiration from Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem 'Lancelot and Elaine' from Idylls of the King (1859-1885), Pollie Clarke depicts the moments after Elaine, the maid of Astolat, has died from her despair at her unrequited love for Sir Lancelot. Her brothers, Lavaine and Torre, at her request set her upon a chariot-bier on a barge, clutching her farewell missive to Lancelot in one hand and a lily in the other, to be rowed to Camelot by their aged mute servant in order to deliver the message to the unfaithful knight.