V
"The king" (he said) "is as God's bread,—above
The hope of any save the lips absolved:
Yet my lips touch his garment! If involved
My heart, Sire, can I find another fair
But her I love? Even though the king's sister
Were born of Venus? My liege lord must spare
My finding any beauty like to Her."
The hope of any save the lips absolved:
Yet my lips touch his garment! If involved
My heart, Sire, can I find another fair
But her I love? Even though the king's sister
Were born of Venus? My liege lord must spare
My finding any beauty like to Her."
VI
And the king smiled as one in kindly wise
Surprising a dear secret. "Friend," (he said,)
"Fear not to say thy ladye's lips are red
And her eyes heaven! We demand the truth
From a brave knight, who knows not how to lie!
He shall wed but perfection, by God's Ruth,
Whose voice cried,—'I, and not the king, shall die!'"
Surprising a dear secret. "Friend," (he said,)
"Fear not to say thy ladye's lips are red
And her eyes heaven! We demand the truth
From a brave knight, who knows not how to lie!
He shall wed but perfection, by God's Ruth,
Whose voice cried,—'I, and not the king, shall die!'"
15
