For courteous, honest, leal and true;
Ready and ripe for service due.
My bondage weighty is, but I
Reward good servants plenteously.2020
Thou well may’st feel elate and proud
To be Love’s liegeman, and allowed
His livery from this day to wear.
Love doth the noble banner bear
Of Courtesy, and ever shows
Him sweetly gentle unto those
Who love him, and upon them take
His lordship. He will surely make
From out their hearts to disappear
All base desire, all servile fear.2030
XV
From Youth, which had deceived his heart,
The Lover tears himself apart,
And to the God of Love doth now
In homage, as his liegeman, bow.
The Dreamer becomes a Lover
With clasped, uplifted hands I cried:
“Behold your bondsman.” Love replied
By pressing ruby lips to mine.
Oh, heaven of bliss! Oh, joy divine!
For hostage then he took me straight.
Love speaks.
“Good friend,” quoth he, “full oft my fate2040
Hath been false homage to receive
From men who swear but to deceive.
