Now tell me what is chivalry? <br />To battle in the foremost fight <br />For anything-for wrong-for right, <br />For some fair lady's scornful smile, <br />For what is virtuous, what is vile, <br />Come, tell me, is this chivalry? <br /> <br /> <br />No! in the men for truth who pant, <br />In wretchedness and woe and want, <br />Who bear the world's contemptuous hate, <br />With patient soul, with heart elate. <br />No! in the woman in whose home <br />No peace is found, no comforts come, <br />Yet bends in silence,-feeling still <br />'Tis God's most kind, most holy will. <br />This-this is truest chivalry!<br /><br />John Bowring<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/chivalry-3/
