Page 139 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Of such a noble strain
That he will give a tortured wight
Sweet ease of mortal pain?’

‘A wedded man,’ quoth Arthur, King,
‘A wedded man I be
Else would I deem it noble thing
To kiss thee willingly.

‘Now, Lancelot, in all men’s sight
Thou art the head and chief
Of chivalry. Come, noble knight,
And give her quick relief.’

‘But Lancelot he turned aside
And looked upon the ground,
For it did sting his haughty pride
To hear them laugh around.

‘Come thou, Sir Tristram,’ quoth the King.
Quoth he, ‘It cannot be,
For ne’er can I my stomach bring
To do it willingly.’

‘Wilt thou, Sir Kay, thou scornful wight?’
Quoth Kay, ‘Nay, by my troth!
What noble dame would kiss a knight
That kissed so foul a mouth?’

1 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood