Sara Teasdale — A Ballad of Two Knights

Two knights rode forth at early dawn    A-seeking maids to wed, Said one, "My lady must be fair,    With gold hair on her head." Then spake the other knight-at-arms:    "I care not for her face, But she I love must be a dove    For purity and grace." And each knight blew upon his horn    And went his separate way, And each knight found a lady-love    Before the fall of day. But she was brown who should have had    The shining yellow hair— I ween the knights forgot their words    Or else they ceased to care. For he who wanted purity    Brought home a wanton wild, And when each saw the other knight    I ween that each knight smiled.


Other Sara Teasdale songs:
all Sara Teasdale songs all songs from 2013