Arthur Braine-Hartnell
A Sharp Tale of Love
The King was sitting over all
(Sweetly smells the May):
A Knight rode up into the hall
(When Love is young and gay);
'The maid you met in green-wood brake
Has sent you this for dowry's sake.'
He drew his sword and smote him sore
And rode out softly through the door.
The Lords were still about the board,
And no man laid his hand on sword.
The Knight has lighted from his horse
Where a fair river ran across.
He threw his gauntlet on the sand,
And like a lily was his hand.
He threw his helmet on the plain;
His hair fell down like copper rain.
He threw his corslet on the lea,
And like a lily-stalk was he.
'These hands have left embroidering
To carry death against a King.
'For when I asked my Father dear
To fight for me with sword and spear,
He said; "Oh shameless one, too light
To tarry till the wedding night."
And when I asked my Brother dear
To fight for me with sword and spear,
He spurred his horse, and prayed that I
Would love again more craftily.
'And when I asked my Lover dear
To fight for me with sword and spear,
He answered lightly to my suit,
"He did not love wind-fallen fruit."'
She turned about like one a-dream
(Sweetly smells the May)
And fell into the chilly stream
(When Love is young and gay).
Page(s) 9-10
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