Two knights rode forth at early dawn <br />A-seeking maids to wed, <br />Said one, "My lady must be fair, <br />With gold hair on her head." <br /> <br />Then spake the other knight-at-arms: <br />"I care not for her face, <br />But she I love must be a dove <br />For purity and grace." <br /> <br />And each knight blew upon his horn <br />And went his separate way, <br />And each knight found a lady-love <br />Before the fall of day. <br /> <br />But she was brown who should have had <br />The shining yellow hair -- <br />I ween the knights forgot their words <br />Or else they ceased to care. <br /> <br />For he who wanted purity <br />Brought home a wanton wild, <br />And when each saw the other knight <br />I ween that each knight smiled.<br /><br />Sara Teasdale<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-ballad-of-the-two-knights/
