The Lady's Rejoinder

A group of gay and gallant knights
At the Queen's table sat,
Among her maidens pass'd the time
In light and lively chat.
"You wait for me under the linden.

They talk'd not, they, of priest or church,
Nor yet of cloister cell,
But of the dames, who daughters bad,
And such as bred them well.

Then up Sir Peter rose and spake,
His notions were so grand;
"No maiden I to wife will take,
"But who has house and land.

"My bride in broidery shall be skill'd
"To sew her silken gown;
"But such I'll never take to wife,
"As gads about the town,

"Her household duties she must know,
"And how the board to spread,
"Nor be too flippant of her tongue,
"For such I'll never wed."

All still those handsome maidens sat.
And utter'd not a word,
Till spake her mind the fair Christine,
Who served the Queen at board.

"Now were I once a woman grown,
"And suitor came to woo,
"I'd choose, so help me God in heaven!
"Not such a one as you.

"Retired within my bower I sit
"My cloth to cut and sew,
"While you — you mount your prancing steed,
"And off to council go.

"I sit at home and pride myself,
"With taste to deck my board,
"While you — you rise in Council Hall,
"But cannot speak a word.

"On all these benches seat by seat
"My broider'd work I lay,
"While you with Lords and Princes sit,
"But not one word can say."

Then up at once Sir Peter rose,
The words were on his tongue;
"And now I've just the maiden found
"For whom I've look'd so long."

Great was the mirth and joy at Court,
And echoed far and wide.
As gave the Queen her waiting maid
To be Sir Peter's bride.