Two knights rode forth at early dawn A-seeking maids to wed, Said one, "My lady must be fair, With gold hair on her head." Then spake the other knight-at-arms: "I care not for her face, But she I love must be a dove For purity and grace." And each knight blew upon his horn And went his separate way, And each knight found a lady-love Before the fall of day. But she was brown who should have had The shining yellow hair -- I ween the knights forgot their words Or else they ceased to care. For he who wanted purity Brought home a wanton wild, And when each saw the other knight I ween that each knight smiled. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 32 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING JOHN MOULDY by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 39 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH THE WOUNDED VULTURE by ANNE CHARLOTTE LYNCH BOTTA MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE LORD HAYES: SONG by THOMAS CAMPION TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. AS IT HAPPENED by EDWARD CARPENTER OLNEY HYMNS: 23. PLEADING FOR AND WITH YOUTH by WILLIAM COWPER |