The Praise of Love

Lady fair beyond all measure,
Lady sweet and pure and kind,
Still thy heart beats high for pleasure;
Still Love troubles not thy mind.
Once thou learnest Love's fierce might,
Thy soft mouth, so red and bright.
Straight shall sigh from morn to night.

"Knight, what is this Love's true nature?
Is it man or maid, in sooth?
Tell me of its form and feature.
Never could I learn the truth.
What it is I pray you tell,
Yea, and what it doth as well,
So that I may 'scape its spell."

Lady, Love hath such ascendant,
And it bears so wide a sway,
Every land is Love's dependent.
Of its nature this I say:—
'Tis a friend and 'tis a foe;
It can work both weal and woe.
Love is fashioned even so.

"Knight, if pining thoughts and sadness
Love is able to dispel,
If it fills the heart with gladness,
Teaches grace and courtesy well,
Oh, if Love can do all this,
If its might so sovereign is.
Great indeed must be its bliss."

Lady, let me end its praises:
Love's reward is full of mirth.
Happiness it gives, and raises
Men in honour and in worth.
Whomsoe'er it will requite,
To his heart and to his sight
It dispenseth all delight.

"Knight, how may I win its guerdon,
How deserve its favour high?
If I must endure the burden
Of sore grief,—too weak am I!
Nay, I will not suffer pain.
Tell me, knight, how shall I gain
Love's reward, for which I am fain."

Lady, let our hearts be plighted.
Love me well, as I do thee!
Let us twain be so united
That one flesh and soul we be.
Be thou mine, as I am thine.—

"Knight, that is not my design.
Be ye yours, for I am mine!"