Part 4 (1/2)

The first said: ”I have found a king Who grudgeth no gift of anything.”

The second said: ”I have found a knight Who hath never turned his back in fight.”

But the third said: ”I have found a love That Time and the World shall never move.”

Whither away to win good cheer?

”With me,” said the first, ”for my king is near.”

So to the King they went their ways; But there was a change of times and days.

”What men are ye,” the great King said, ”That ye should eat my children's bread?

My waste has fed full many a store, And mocking and grudge have I gained therefore.

Whatever waneth as days wax old.

Full worthy to win are goods and gold.”

Whither away to win good cheer?

”With me,” said the second, ”my knight is near.

So to the knight they went their ways, But there was a change of times and days.

He dwelt in castle sure and strong, For fear lest aught should do him wrong.

Guards by gate and hall there were, And folk went in and out in fear.

When he heard the mouse run in the wall, ”Hist!” he said, ”what next shall befall?

Draw not near, speak under your breath, For all new-comers tell of death.

Bring me no song nor minstrelsy, Round death it babbleth still,” said he.

”And what is fame and the praise of men, When lost life cometh not again?”

Whither away to seek good cheer?

”Ah me!” said the third, ”that my love were anear!

Were the world as little as it is wide, In a happy house should ye abide.

Were the world as kind as it is hard, Ye should behold a fair reward.”

So far by high and low have they gone, They have come to a waste was rock and stone.

But lo, from the waste, a company Full well bedight came riding by; And in the midst, a queen, so fair, That G.o.d wrought well in making her.

The first and second knights abode To gaze upon her as she rode, Forth pa.s.sed the third with head down bent, And stumbling ever as he went.

His shoulder brushed her saddle-bow; He trembled with his head hung low.

His hand brushed o'er her golden gown, As on the waste he fell adown.

So swift to earth her feet she set, It seemed that there her arms he met.

His lips that looked the stone to meet Were on her trembling lips and sweet.

Softly she kissed him cheek and chin, His mouth her many tears drank in.

”Where would'st thou wander, love,” she said, ”Now I have drawn thee from the dead?”

”I go my ways,” he said, ”and thine Have nought to do with grief and pine.”

”All ways are one way now,” she said, ”Since I have drawn thee from the dead.”