VIII.

"Sir page, I pray your grace! Certes, I meant not so To cross your pastoral mood, sir page, With the crook of the battle-bow; But a knight may speak of a lady's face, I ween, in any mood or place, If the grasses die or grow.

"And this I meant to say-- My lady's face shall shine As ladies' faces use, to greet My page from Palestine; Or, speak she fair or prank she gay, She is no lady of mine.