“I would weet of you, wight,” that worthy replied, + 

“If ye wrath not therewith, what were the reason + 

That so young and so gay as you at this time, + 

So courteous, so knightly, as all know you abroad, + 

Should fail in the forms and fashion of court. + 

For of áll the chóice of chívalry, the chief thing prais’d + 

Is the leal game of love and errantry-lore; + 

And to tell of the trials of all trúe knìghts + 

Is the inscribèd title and text of their deeds:⁠— + 

How lieges for love their lives have adventur’d, + 

Endured for their druery doleful hours, + 

Had vengeance by their valour and voided their sorrow, + 

And brought bliss into bower with bounties their own. + 

Now ye are the noblest knight, known of your eld, + 

Your name and your honour are aywhere upholden, + 

And I have sat by your side two several times + 

Yet no lightest word did light from your lips + 

That belongèd to love, or lesser or greater; + 

So courteous as you, of so knightly professions, + 

Ought verily to yearn to a creature so young, + 

And teach her some token of truelove dealings. + 

What! are ye so ignorant, in honour so high? + 

Or deem ye me too dull your dalliance to hearken? + 

For shame! + 

Single I come and sit + 

To learn of you some game; + 

Please! warn me of your wit + 

While alone ye have your dame.” + 