[MR] A poem about Honor and Courtesy

[CountessMENG at aol.com]

This was sent to the Known World Ladies of the Rose list. It came out of a TI from 1995. I think it is great!
Enjoy!

Countess Mary-Grace of Gatland

OF HONOUR AND COURTESY:  RIME ROYAL

One came to me and said, What shall I wear?
What rich and heavy silk, what linen fine?
What cloth of gold, what furs both soft and rare,
to show the world what wealth and rank are mine?
And in what setting shall my jewels shine,
and what medallion, yea, what coronet
or golden chain shall make me fairer yet?

To that dear friend I gently did reply,
How fair the cloth of gold, the silk how bright!
Your jewels gleam like starlight in the sky;
none dare deny you make a splendid sight,
I least of all, for gladly I delight
to see you fair, and hear you justly praised,
your beauty's song by voices sweetly raised.

But if you ask what raiment I admire
above all others, I must answer true:
not silk nor furs nor gems do I desire
to deck myself, nor for adorning you:
for garments fine, and jewels red and blue,
I would forsake this moment willingly
to get me Honour, and for Courtesy.

There is no crown with Honour may compare,
and she who bears it is herself a Queen,
though she wear peasant garb in place of vair,
though little she be praised, and seldom seen.
No chain of office equals it, I ween,
nor fair medallion, nor a knightly helm,
nor any rank or title in this realm.

And if you go attired in Courtesy,
and gentleness and kindness do display,
then all will know you come of high degree,
who are adorned with such a royal way:
for Kings and Queens are robed in rich array
of Courtesy, their duty and their right;
so must you be, who follow in their light.

Therefore, dear friend, if Honour you possess,
and if with Courtesy you come and go,
you stand attired in gracious loveliness,
more pleasing to the hearts of high and low
than any rank that others may bestow -
most rare, most fair, and valued more than gold
by wisdom's eye, that clearly can behold.

~~Dorigen of the Grey Gate