Helen of Troy And Other Poems (57)

    Two knights rode forth at early dawnA-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 doveFor purity and grace."

    And each knight blew upon his hornAnd went his separate way, And each knight found a lady-loveBefore the fall of day.

    But she was brown who should have hadThe shining yellow hair —— I ween the knights forgot their wordsOr else they ceased to care.

    For he who wanted purityBrought home a wanton wild, And when each saw the other knightI ween that each knight smiled.