Spirit of Chambers's Journal

Chapter 29: THE LADYE THAT I LOVE.

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British Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

A selection of original tales, essays, and sketches drawn from early issues of a periodical, combining short historical romances and village narratives with reflections on everyday conduct. The narratives present romantic and domestic episodes while the essays address conversation, family relations, thrift, leisure, the drama, and practical political economy. Together the pieces sketch the manners and maxims of the middle ranks through anecdote, moral observation, and light satire, alternating storytelling with prescriptive and observational prose intended to instruct and amuse a general readership.

THE LADYE THAT I LOVE.

Were I a doughty cavalier,

On fire for high-born dame,

To win her smile, with sword and spear,

I’d seek a warrior’s fame;

But since no more stern deeds of blood

The gentle fair may move,

I’ll woo in softer—better mood,

The ladye that I love.

For helmet bright with steel and gold,

And plumes that flout the sky,

I’ll bear a mind of hardier mould,

And thoughts that sweep as high.

For scarf athwart my corslet cast,

With her fair name y-wove,

I’ll have her pictured in my breast—

The ladye that I love.

No mettled steed through battle-throng,

Shall bear me bravely on,

But pride shall make my spirit strong,

Where honours may be won:

Among the great of mind and heart,

My prowess I will prove;

And thus I’ll win, by gentler art,

The ladye that I love.

R. C.