The Wooing Of the Sword

Speaketh THE PRINCESS

'What will ye give me for a heart? 
(Gold and jewels gladden the eye)
 My three suitors answer apart"—  
(Standeth Love any more firm thereby)'
                  
Speaketh THE FIRST SUITOR

'You shall be Queen over land and sea, 
All my realm to gladden your eye— 
You shall have power and sovereignty 
And  Love shall be assured  thereby.'
                  
Speaketh THE SECOND SUITOR

'You shall have that the heart can desire—
Ships and cities to gladden the eye,
And I, on my knee will be your squire,
And Love shall serve and rule thereby—'
                  
Speaketh THE THIRD SUITOR

'I have given up all for the sight of your face 
More than gold does it gladden the eye,
I can but give thee an arm's embrace,
And a sword to keep Love sweet thereby—'
                  
Speaketh THE PRINCESS

'Highly oh Men must ye prize my Love,
Paying such price to gladden the eye
 That ye have spoken must ye prove 
And proving, stand or fall thereby—'

The first one gave her his own gold crown 
The second himself to gladden her eye—
But he that had nought smote the two men down, 
And Love was won of the sword thereby.

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