The Empty Purse

Though from five lands a perfect knight were chosen forth,
Fair of his face, and dowered with every gift of worth,
Generous and true and in his promise stable;
Though he could rhyme and play and read and write,
Could hunt with hawk or hound, and shoot and fight.
And to wield weapons, one and all, were able;
Though he were versed in all the lore
Of magic books and arts of necromancy,
Could play the harp, and furthermore
Sing cunningly all songs of mirth and fancy;
Though he could cast the stone of weight
Full twelve foot further than it e'er was landed,
And boasted of a strength so great
That he could fell a wild bear single-handed;
Though ladies gave him greeting fair and set high hopes upon him;
Though all the seven arts through and through
That hero knew,—
Yet, if his purse were bare of pence, all would be wasted on him!