This was much pleasanter than the two former, and overflowing with
the praises of the worthy knight and his gracious lady; and having
an echo to it in another voice, I did hope thereby to disarm their
just wrath and indignation. It was thus couched:-
"FIRST SHEPHERD.
"Jesu! what lofty elms are here!
Let me look through them at the clear,
Deep sky above, and bless my star
That such a worthy knight's they are!
"SECOND SHEPHERD.
"Innocent creatures! how those deer
Trot merrily, and romp and rear!
"FIRST SHEPHERD.
"The glorious knight who walks beside
His most majestic lady bride,
"SECOND SHEPHERD.
"Under these branches spreading wide,
"FIRST SHEPHERD.
"Carries about so many cares
Touching his ancestors and heirs,
That came from Athens and from Rome -
"SECOND SHEPHERD.
"As many of them as are come -
"FIRST SHEPHERD.
"Nought else the smallest lodge can find
In the vast manors of his mind;
Envying not Solomon his wit -
"SECOND SHEPHERD.
"No, nor his women not a bit;
Being well-built and well-behaved
As Solomon, I trow, or David.
"FIRST SHEPHERD.
"And taking by his jewell'd hand
The jewel of that lady bland,
He sees the tossing antlers pass
And throw quaint shadows o'er the grass;
While she alike the hour beguiles,
And looks at him and them, and smiles.
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