52
THE WAGER,
And this fair company decree
The meed of victory to thee,
Thou may'st be justly vain.
The meed of victory to thee,
Thou may'st be justly vain.
At friendship's call thou oft hast waked,—
Here glory, honor, fame, are staked,—
Come, lady Muse, defend me!
Be thou my sword, be thou my shield;
The knight must to the lady yield
If thou wilt but befriend me.
Here glory, honor, fame, are staked,—
Come, lady Muse, defend me!
Be thou my sword, be thou my shield;
The knight must to the lady yield
If thou wilt but befriend me.
Yet, should the wished-for prize be mine,
Or this just court award it thine,
Yet when the contest ends,
Though poets seldom can agree,
The world at least one proof shall see,
That rivals may be friends.
Or this just court award it thine,
Yet when the contest ends,
Though poets seldom can agree,
The world at least one proof shall see,
That rivals may be friends.
