VIII
Herein the author’s pen essays
To show why Courtesy the praise1270
Deserves of all men; love she spreads
Around her wheresoe’er she treads.
The praise of Courtesy
And next stood gracious Courtesy,
Who ne’er midst men can fail to be
Welcome: strangers to her are pride
And folly. Straightway to her side
She summoned me with kindly call
To join the gladsome dance withal.
Frank-eyed she was, and no deal shy
Or timid, but most graciously
Spake forth to me in friendly wise,
With pleasant words and quaint replies,
Wherein one found no poison lurk.
Her form was nature’s perfect work,
And e’en as stars like candles mean
Beside the moon’s bright rays are seen,
So her companions showed beside
Her dazzling beauty’s winsome pride.
Than this fair damsel who shall find
A nobler face or gentler mind, 1290
Or one who would more worship gain
Should she as Queen or Empress reign?
Beside her stood a valiant knight,
Who knew to choose his words aright
Whene’er he spake; well loved seemed he
Of her who bare him company.
Well skilled in feats of arms [errata 1], his grace
Showed forth alike in form and face.
Idleness claims the Dreamer
Then, Idleness came near to me,
Whose hand I took most willingly 1300
To join the dance. Erewhile I’ve said
How fraught with grace and goodlihead
She was, and she ’twas raised the pin
That kept the wicket, and within
The close through her I entrance gained,
My trembling heart set free and fained.
Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "errata", but no corresponding <references group="errata"/> tag was found