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THE PRESENT AND THE PAST IN THE TWELFTH CENTURY, by                    
First Line: Arthur of britain, noble king
Last Line: The courteous dead than living knave.


ARTHUR of Britain, noble king,
Whose prowess this instruction gave,
That we should courteous be and brave,
Upheld a court so flourishing,
And festival which so much cost,
That we should name it Pentecost:
In Wales at Cardoil was his court.

After the feast the Knights resort,
Gathered together in a hall,
Obedient to their lady's call,
Or maid of high or low estate:
And one some story would relate;
And one would tell of love, and all
Anguish and dolours that befall,
And the great ills they often bear,
Who scholars in his college are;
Which then did wealth and credit own,
But now its habitants are gone;
For most have left, and few remain,
Hence love is fallen in disdain.
For those in olden time who loved
For courtesy were well approved;
Brave, bounteous too, and honourable.
Now Love is turned into a fable;
Those who ne'er felt its mastery
Say that they love. They do but lie,
Fable and falsehood they proclaim
Who without right yet boast the name.
But still to speak of those who were
The men now living we forbear;
For, as I think, more honour crave
The courteous dead than living knave.





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