A Ballad Of The Two Knights

Two knights rode forth at early dawn A-seeking maids to wed,

Said one, "My lady must be fair,

With gold hair on her head."Then spake the other knight-at-arms: "I care not for her face,

But she I love must be a dove For purity and grace."And each knight blew upon his horn And went his separate way,

And each knight found a lady-love Before the fall of day.

But she was brown who should have had The shining yellow hair — I ween the knights forgot their words Or else they ceased to care.

For he who wanted purity Brought home a wanton wild,

And when each saw the other knight I ween that each knight smiled.