II

It was an idle company — Ladies and lordings fine — Idly under the wild-wood tree Their laughter ran like wine.

Yet as they laughed a voice they heard — A voice where none was seen,— Singing blithe as a hidden bird Among the forest green.

“Mark ye, mark ye, a lonely knight Riding the green forest: Pardì! for one so poorly dight He lifts a haughty crest!

Azure and white is all his wear, He hath no gold, I trow! Wanderer, thou in the wild-wood there, Tell us why sing ye so!”

“Noble ladies and lordings gay, God have you all in guard: Since ye are pleased with me to play, My riddle it is not hard.

I sing because, of all that ride, I am the least of worth: I sing because, to match my pride, Never was pride on earth.

“But, an ye ask what that may mean, Thus do I answer then: I bear with me the heart of a Queen — I that am least of men:—

I bear her heart till the end of all, Yea! by her own command I bear the heart of a Queen royal Unto the Holy Land.”

Humbly there his crest he bent,— Azure it waved and white,— Haughtily there he turned and went Singing, out of their sight.

Long, long but his voice they heard,— A voice where none was seen,— Singing blithe as a hidden bird, Among the forest green.