Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/47

That glads the heart of every wight that her beholds with eye."
"What stir and rule," quoth ORDER then, "do these rude people make.
We hold her best that shall deserve a praise for virtue's sake."
This sentence was no sooner said, but BEAUTY therewith blushed.
The noise did cease, the hall was still, and everything was hushed.

Then FINENESS thought by training talk to win that BEAUTY lost,
And whet her tongue with joly words, and sparèd for no cost:
Yet WANTONNESS could not abide-, but brake her tale in haste;
And peevish PRIDE for peacock's plumes would needs be highest placed:
And therewithal came CURIOUSNESS and carpèd out of frame.
The audience laughed to hear the strife, as they beheld the same.

Yet REASON soon appeased the bruit, her reverence made and done,
She purchased favour for to speak, and thus her tale begun.
"Since BOUNTY shall the garland wear, and crownèd be by FAME;
O happy judges! call for her, for she deserves the same:
Where temperance governs, beauty's flowers and glory are not sought,
And shamefast meekness mastereth pride, and virtue dwells in thought.
Bid her come forth and show her face, or else assent each one
That true report shall grave her name in gold or marble stone