32. The True Knight

Stephen Hawes. d. 1523


FOR knighthood is not in the feats of warre,
As for to fight in quarrel right or wrong,
But in a cause which truth can not defarre:
  He ought himself for to make sure and strong,
  Justice to keep mixt with mercy among:
    And no quarrell a knight ought to take
    But for a truth, or for the common's sake.


defarre
undo
The Oxford Book of English Verse, HTML edition