Maiden's Choice

A peasant maid of aspect fair
Went walking, flowers in her hair,
Towards the daily market fair, a basket in her hand.
There upon 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 your answer be? For whom will you decide?
"While 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."