Pilgrim\'s Progress

Two bonnie horsemen rode along
One was a knight of high degree
Beside the knight there rode his squire
Along the broad highway so free

And as they rode, they lightly spoke
The squire's training to address,
The squire he asked his knight so fine,
"Pray tell me, what is true Noblesse?"

"He that would the crown of Noblesse wear
He must be fair in heart and mind
And be he brought with friend or foe,
His chivalry must bear in mind."

"Then the knight is courteous,
but is that all, pray tell to me,
for how can courtesy alone
Afford a knight Nobility?"

Then did the knight to him reply,
"Tis true, not courtesy alone
but other virtues must he possess
who would be knighted by the throne."

The squire then said to his knight,
"Pray Sir, will you then tell to me,
How can a knight of valour bold
See virtue in Humility?"

"He who would be pure of heart and mind
Embraces his Humility:
For there can be no more humble sight
Than that of knight on bended knee.

"The humble man seeks not for fame;
His glory lives in his lady's eye
And no more need should he have than this:
To know he serves where'er he may.

[Humility becomes the knight,
His deeds themselves are his source of joy,
And rather than bring another shame,
He'd bear the neck and die, my boy!"] (Cut?)

The squire then said to his knight,
"Pray, Sir, will you then tell to me,
What other virtues must one possess
To wear the chain of fealty?"

"He who would be pure of heart and mind,
Would make them both strong as can be,
For none can shake a man's resolve
If Strength of heart and mind has he.

"Strength in all things well becomes the knight,
For thus his word is magnified
And by his oath is a noble bound,
Which by his faith is fortified."

The squire then said to his knight,
"Pray Sir, then will you tell to me,
Why if by Strength our word is bond
Then must we give in Charity?"

"He who would be pure of heart and mind
And would be one of true Noblesse,
Must serve the kingdom and his crown
And must distribute his Largesse.

[Charity doth well become the knight
For by his gifts he shall be known;
To recognize another's worth
Is to see all the wealth we own.] (Cut?)

"Charity doth well become the knight
for as the bag is fill'd with gold
The spilling over of that coin
Comes back again to him ten-fold."

The squire then said to his knight,
"Pray Sir, then will you tell to me,
How may a knight who gives largesse
Also serve Justice faithfully?"

"He who would be pure of heart and mind
Would follow counsel from them both,
And knows that balance in all things
Is as important as his oath.

"The knight does well who Justice serves,
For each dispute has many sides,
And when truth is found upon the scales,
A fair solution he decides."

The squire then said to his knight,
"Then does the knight uphold the law,
But tell me, if that law be marred,
What recourse has he on which to draw?"

"A knight bears witness to the law,
But by his word is a noble bound,
And without Honor, his oath is naught,
'Tis in his Honor his Strength is found.

"He who would be pure of heart and mind,
Shall always know right from the wrong
Not by the law, or other's words,
But by his Honor's sweet song."