A Ballad Of The Two Knights

by Sara Teasdale

　　Two knights rode forth at early dawn A-seeking maids to wed, Said one, "My lady must be fair, With gold hair on her head." Then spake the other knight-at-arms: "I care not for her face, But she I love must be a dove For purity and grace." And each knight blew upon his horn And went his separate way, And each knight found a lady-love Before the fall of day. But she was brown who should have had The shining yellow hair, I ween the knights forgot their words Or else they ceased to care. For he who wanted purity Brought home a wanton wild, And when each saw the other knight I seen that each knight smiled.