A peasant maid of aspect fair
Went walking, flowers in her hair
Towards the daily market fair
A basket in her hand
Thereupon she caught the eye
Of two who chanced to be riding by
A knight upon his stallion high
And a lord who held the land
«Fair maid,» the two men did exclaim
«Why walk in dust to reach your aim?
No woman could by any name
Be beauteous as thee»
«Good sirs, I have no horse or cart
To make good time as thou both art
And so I make an early start
The market wares to see»
«Fair maid,» the knight said graciously
«I pray thee come and ride with me
Thou wouldst my truest lady be
Until the day I die»
«The sun and moon are in your eyes
The purest blue of cloudless skies
True grace your form personifies
I'd have you by my side»
The lord upon his dappled grey
Thought long and hard on what to say
At last he simply said «I pray
You would consider me»
«Fair maid,» said he «Away we'll ride
If you'll consent to be my bride
My keep is strong, my land is wide
Its lady you would be»
«'Tis comfort and security
Or quest for truth and purity
Fair maid what will your answer be
For whom will you decide?»
«I'll not adept at flattery
The lord has more to offer me
With him I'll make my company
And to the fair we'll ride»