Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. I. Early Poetry: Chaucer to Donne

Stephen Hawes (d. 1523)

Extracts from The Pastime of Pleasure: The Character of a True Knight

[From Canto xxviii.]

FOR knyghthode is not in the feates of warre

As for to fight in quarrell ryght or wrong,

But in a cause which trouthe can not defarre.

He ought himselfe for to make sure and strong

Justice to kepe, myxt with mercy among,

And no quarell a knyght ought to take

But for a trouthe, or for a womman’s sake.

For first good hope his legge harneyes shoulde be,

His habergion, of perfect ryghteousnes

Gyrde fast wyth the girdle of chastitie.

His riche placarde shoulde be good busines

Brodred with almes so full of larges;

The helmet, mekenes, and the shelde, good fayeth,

His swerde God’s word, as Saynt Paule sayeth.

Also true wydowes he ought to restore

Unto their ryght, for to attayne their dower;

And to vpholde, and mayntayne euermore

The wealth of maydens, wyth his myhty power,

And to his souerayne at euery maner hower

To be ready, true, and eke obeysaunt,

In stable loue fyxte, and not variaunt.