Good Counsel

Ye noble ladies, sweet and kind,
Preserve your ancient high estate!
And whoso bears no knightly mind,
Hold him for ever in your hate!
If courteous heart a knight shall show,
'Twas ever gentle ladies' way
To greet him fairly every day.
Dame Fortune shall attend you so!

Dame, since thy looks entice and charm,
(The cause thereof from nature came)
I'll teach thee how to 'scape from harm
And ever keep thee clear of blame.
Let not thy looks too forward be,
Save where a chaste and virtuous mind
And knightly bearing thou shalt find;
Then let thy gaze be fair and free!

Now should a worthless churl, who ne'er
Hath risked his life, the prize to gain,
Nor in the tourney borne his share,
A lady's grace as well obtain
As one who boldly ventures this,
And life and lands will gladly stake,
In sport or earnest, for her sake,—
That were a practice much amiss!