292
CROTCHET CASTLE.
And Florence scorned the bookworm vain,
Who sword nor spear could raise;
And Blanchflor scorned the unlettered brain
Could sing no lady's praise.
Who sword nor spear could raise;
And Blanchflor scorned the unlettered brain
Could sing no lady's praise.
From dearest love, the maidens bright
To deadly hatred fell,
Each turned to shun the other's sight,
And neither said farewell.
To deadly hatred fell,
Each turned to shun the other's sight,
And neither said farewell.
The king of birds, who held his court
Within that flowery grove,
Sang loudly: "'Twill be rare disport
To judge this suit of love."
Within that flowery grove,
Sang loudly: "'Twill be rare disport
To judge this suit of love."
Before him came the maidens bright,
With all his birds around,
To judge the cause, if clerk or knight
In love be worthiest found.
With all his birds around,
To judge the cause, if clerk or knight
In love be worthiest found.
The falcon and the sparrow-hawk
Stood forward for the fight:
Ready to do, and not to talk,
They voted for the knight.
Stood forward for the fight:
Ready to do, and not to talk,
They voted for the knight.
