Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/262

 * To her, he vowed the service of his days; On her, he spent the riches of his wit; For her, he made hymns of immortal praise: Of only her; he sang, he thought, he writ. Her, and but her, of love he worthy deemed: For all the rest, but little he esteemed.

Ne her with idle words alone he vowed, And verses vain—yet verses are not vain: But with brave deeds, to her sole service vowed; And bold achievements, her did entertain. For both in deeds and words he nurtured was. Both wise and hardy—too hardy, alas!

In wrestling, nimble; and in running, swift; In shooting, steady; and in swimming, strong: Well made to strike, to throw, to leap, to lift, And all the sports that shepherds are emong. In every one, he vanquished every one, He vanquished all, and vanquished was of none.

Besides, in hunting, such felicity Or rather infelicity, he found; That every field and forest far away He sought, where savage beasts do most abound. No beast so savage, but he could it kill: No chase so hard, but he therein had skill.