Classic Poem

O gentle company of loving men,
O fellow courtiers of the glorious King,
With you I'll take my turn, with you I'll sing
Of how I loved, and whom, and where, and when;
Take the heroic sword, the glorious pen,
Each for his love be famous, brave and true:
And I, dear friends, I serve a lady too —
Then hear my tale of love, ye loving men!

I woo her not with gold nor deeds of fame,
No beauty can she boast, nor fine array:
In pride of royal rags, in glorious shame,
We two together walk the beggar's way,
To kneel at last, hands clasped, and side by side
Before God's throne, the bridegroom and the bride.