"Behold it, I say!"
"Indeed, my lord, I do," she answered, proud and disdainful; "it is,
methinks, my answer to thy loathed suit--"
"Loathed!" he cried, and caught her slender wrist,
And held it so, crushed in his cruel fist;
But proud she faced him, shapely head raised high.
"Most loathed, my lord!" she, scornful, made reply.
"For rather than I'd wed myself with thee,
The wife of poorest, humblest slave I'd be,
Or sorriest fool that tramps the dusty way--"
"Ha! Dare thou scorn me so?" Sir Gui did say,
"Then I by force--by force will sudden take thee,
And slave of love, my very slave I 'll make thee--"
Out from the leaves Duke Joc'lyn thrust his head,
"O fie! Thou naughty, knavish knight!" he said.
"O tush! O tush! O tush again--go to!
'T is windy, whining, wanton way to woo.
What tushful talk is this of 'force' and 'slaves',
Thou naughty, knavish, knightly knave of knaves?
Unhand the maid--loose thy offensive paw!"
Round sprang Sir Gui, and, all astonished, saw
A long-legged jester who behind him stood
With head out-thrust, grim-smiling 'neath his hood.
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