Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SONG OF COURTESY, by GEORGE MEREDITH Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When sir gawain was led to his bridal-bed Last Line: Beautiful by courtesy! Subject(s): Arthurian Legend; Courts & Courtiers; Knights & Knighthood; Legends; Mythology; Arthur, King | ||||||||
I WHEN Sir Gawain was led to his bridal-bed, By Arthur's knights in scorn God-sped: -- How think you he felt? O the bride within Was yellow and dry as a snake's old skin; Loathly as sin! Scarcely faceable, Quite unembraceable; With a hog's bristle on a hag's chin! -- Gentle Gawain felt as should we, Little of Love's soft fire knew he: But he was the Knight of Courtesy. II When that evil lady he lay beside Bade him turn to greet his bride, What think you he did? O, to spare her pain, And let not his loathing her loathliness vain Mirror too plain, Sadly, sighingly, Almost dyingly, Turned he and kissed her once and again. Like Sir Gawain, gentles, should we? Silent, all! But for pattern agree There 's none like the Knight of Courtesy. III Sir Gawain sprang up amid laces and curls: Kisses are not wasted pearls: -- What clung in his arms? O, a maiden flower, Burning with blushes the sweet bride-bower, Beauty her dower! Breathing perfumingly; Shall I live bloomingly, Said she, by day, or the bridal hour? Thereat he clasped her, and whispered he, Thine, rare bride, the choice shall be. Said she, Twice blest is Courtesy! IV Of gentle Sir Gawain they had no sport, When it was morning in Arthur's court; What think you they cried? Now, life and eyes! This bride is the very Saint's dream of a prize, Fresh from the skies! See ye not, Courtesy Is the true Alchemy, Turning to gold all it touches and tries? Like the true knight, so may we Make the basest that there be Beautiful by Courtesy! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LANCELOT by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON MERLIN by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON GALAHAD IN THE CASTLE OF THE MAIDENS by SARA TEASDALE ELAINE by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY IDYLLS OF THE KING: BALIN AND BALAN by ALFRED TENNYSON IDYLLS OF THE KING: GARETH AND LYNETTE by ALFRED TENNYSON DIRGE IN WOODS by GEORGE MEREDITH |
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