Ballade of My Lady’s Beauty

SQUIRE ADAM had two wives, they say,

Two wives had he, for his delight,

He kissed and clypt them all the day

And clypt and kissed them all the night.

Now Eve like ocean foam was white

And Lilith roses dipped in wine,

But though they were a goodly sight

No lady is so fair as mine.

To Venus some folk tribute pay

And Queen of Beauty she is hight,

And Sainte Marie the world doth sway

In cerule napery bedight.

My wonderment these twain invite,

Their comeliness it is divine,

And yet I say in their despite,

No lady is so fair as mine.

Dame Helen caused a grievous fray,

For love of her brave men did fight,

The eyes of her made sages fey

And put their hearts in woeful plight

To her no rhymes will I indite,

For her no garlands will I twine,

Though she be made of flowers and light

No lady is so fair as mine.

L’ENVOI

Prince Eros, Lord of lovely might,

Who on Olympus dost recline,

Do I not tell the truth aright?

No lady is so fair as mine.