For what are they renown'd and famous else,
But aiding of distressed damosels?
But for a lady, no ways errant.[1]785
To free a knight, we have no warrant
In any authentical romance,
Or classic author yet of France;
And I'd be loth to have you break
An ancient custom for a freak,790
Or innovation introduce
In place of things of antique use.
To free your heels by any course,
That might b' unwholesome to your spurs:[2]
Which if I should consent unto,795
It is not in my pow'r to do;
For 'tis a service must be done ye
With solemn previous ceremony;
Which always has been us'd t' untie
The charms of those who here do lie.800
For as the ancients heretofore
To Honour's temple had no door.
But that which thorough Virtue's lay:[3]
So from this dungeon there's no way
To honour's freedom, but by passing805
That other virtuous school of lashing.
Where knights are kept in narrow lists,
With wooden lockets 'bout their wrists;[4]
In which they for awhile are tenants,
And for their ladies suffer penance:810
Whipping, that's virtue's governess,[5]
Tut'ress of arts and sciences;
That mends the gross mistakes of nature,
And puts new life into dull matter;
- ↑ There were damsels-errant as well as knights-errant, in the romances, and the widow disclaims all connection with that order.
- ↑ That is, to his honour. The spurs were badges of knighthood, and if a knight was degraded, his spurs were hacked to pieces by a menial.
- ↑ The temple of Virtue and Honour was built by Marius; the architect was Mutius; it had no posticum. See Vitruvius, Piranesi, &c.
- ↑ This refers to the whipping of petty criminals—humorously styled Knights—in houses of correction.
- ↑ A sly glance at the passion for flagellation displayed by the masters of schools.
