So, the three Court-ladies began Their trial of who judged best In esteeming the love of a man: Who preferred with most reason was thereby confessed Boy-Cupid's exemplary catcher and cager; An Abbe crossed legs to decide on the wager. First the Duchesse: "Mine for me -- Who were it but God's for Him, And the King's for -- who but he? Both faithful and loyal, one grace more shall brim His cup with perfection: a lady's true lover, He holds -- save his God and his king -- none above her." "I require" -- outspoke the Marquise -- "Pure thoughts, ay, but also fine deeds: Play the paladin must he, to please My whim, and -- to prove my knight's service exceeds Your saint's and your loyalist's praying and kneeling -- Show wounds, each wide mouth to my mercy appealing." Then the Comtesse: "My choice be a wretch, Mere losel in body and soul, Thrice accurst! What care I, so he stretch Arms to me his sole savior, love's ultimate goal, Out of earth and men's noise -- names of 'infidel,' 'traitor,' Cast up at him? Crown me, crown's adjudicator!" And the Abbe uncrossed his legs, Took snuff, a reflective pinch, Broke silence: "The question begs Much pondering ere I pronounce. Shall I flinch? The love which to one and one only has reference Seems terribly like what perhaps gains God's preference." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE by EMMA LAZARUS EPILOGUE FROM EMBLEMS OF LOVE by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE BLUE-BUTTERFLY DAY by ROBERT FROST WHY PLAGUE ME, LOVES? by ASCLEPIADES OF SAMOS STANZAS ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD by BERNARD BARTON THE LAST MAN by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES MERCHANTS FROM CATHAY by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |