The Baffled Suitor

The knight took hawk and his swain took hound
And off they rode to the hunting ground.
My friends they are so few.
Among a score one finds not more
Than one good man and true,

And under a linden's dusky shade
They found in hiding a lovely maid.

"My greeting, lady so blithe and fair!
"But why then here in the cold night air?"

"I've stood in the dark and cold so long
"To list to the nightingale's tuneful song."

"You listened not after the bird so sweet,
"But steps of the knight you're come to meet"

"The truth of the matter I'll not disown,
"I've plighted my hand to a knight of Scone."

"Then list to the offer that now I make,
"And plight it to me, and him forsake.

"Ah! were your birth as your features fair,
"Were none so worthy a crown to wear!

"But pledge me your troth, to me be true,
"My hand and my honour I pledge to you.

"I'll give you castles and gold beside;
"Be kind to me, maiden, and be my bride."

"It ne'er shall be said of me, while I live,
"That I to two men my troth could give;

"And you, if your knighthood you would not stain,
"Will take me unhurt to my home again."

"For honour I've harder tasks essay'd
"Than led to her bower a gentle maid."

Great honour was that to the lady done,
She rode on his horse, and the knight must run.

He ran and he walk'd, but on she rode,
And came the first to her own abode.

She fastened her door with bolt and bar;
"And there you may stay. Sir, where you are."

The knight he mounted, and wroth was he,
But laugh'd the lady with hearty glee.

IS The knight rode back again down the street,
And there had banter and jests to meet.

He told his mother the maid's sly plot,
But small was the comfort from her he got.

She warn'd him another time well to look.
What maid in his hand to dance he.took.

"For early and late they are all awake
"To guard the honour they have at stake.

"They'll out of your hand as slily steal,
"As when by the tail you grasp an eel.

"And trust to their words, you'll he misled,
"As when on a worm-eaten bridge you tread."