Page:Once a Week Jul - Dec 1859.pdf/41

30 The thread-like weeds may, however, be drawn out of the hooks one by one until the little dandy is left perfectly bare.

I am not aware in what other localities this crab is to be found beyond those I have mentioned. I could not hear of it either at Brighton or Eastbourne, but I hope that this notice may induce others to prosecute some inquiry into the habits of this singular little animal. 2em

Sir Gawain was led to his bridal bed,

By Arthur’s knights in scorn God-sped:—

How, think you, he felt?

O the bride within

Was yellow and dry as a snake’s old skin;

Loathly as sin!

Scarcely faceable,

Quite unembraceable;

With a hog’s bristle on a hag’s chin!—

Gentle Gawain felt as should we,

Little of Love’s soft fire knew he:

But he was the Knight of Courtesy.

When that evil lady he lay beside

Bade him turn to welcome his bride,

What, think you, he did?

O, to spare her pain,

And let not his loathing her loathliness vain

Mirror too plain,

Sadly, sighingly,

Almost dyingly,

Turned he and kissed her once and again.

Like Sir Gawain, gentles, should we?

Silent, all! But for pattern agree

There’s none like the Knight of Courtesy.

Sir Gawain sprang up amid laces and curls:

Kisses are not wasted pearls:—

What clung in his arms?

O, a maiden flower,

Burning with blushes the sweet bride-bower,

Beauty her dower!

Breathing perfumingly,

“Shall I live bloomingly,”

Said she, “by day, or the bridal hour?”

Thereat he clasp’d her, and whisper’d he,

“Thine, rare bride, the choice shall be.”

Said she, “Twice blest is Courtesy!”

Of gentle Sir Gawain they had no sport,

When it was morning in Arthur’s court;

What, think you, they cried?

“Now, life and eyes!

This bride is the very Saint’s dream of a prize,

Fresh from the skies!

See ye not, Courtesy

Is the true Alchemy,

Turning to gold all it touches and tries?

Like the true knight, may weMeredith’s text was garbled by the printer. These three lines should read: Like the true knight, so may we/Make the basest that there be/Beautiful by Courtesy! [sic]

Make the basest that beMeredith’s text was garbled by the printer. These three lines should read: Like the true knight, so may we/Make the basest that there be/Beautiful by Courtesy! [sic]

Beautiful ever by Courtesy!”Meredith’s text was garbled by the printer. These three lines should read: Like the true knight, so may we/Make the basest that there be/Beautiful by Courtesy! [sic]