And her sweet lips spake thus unto him, 'Now make of thy praise an end, For well might it work thee evil, and I care not that foe or friend, Whoever he be that cometh, his judgment on me shall speak, For sure if all lips shall praise me my fame it but waxeth weak! If the wise praise me e'en as the foolish, the false as the pure and true, 105 Then my fame shall be e'en as another's, for the many shall drown the few. But my praise do I hold, and but wisdom shall speak that which she doth know-- Who thou mayst be, Sir Knight, I know not, but 'tis time thou thy way shouldst go!' 'Yet o'er thee will I speak my verdict, if thou dwellest anear my heart Then thy dwelling is not _within_ it, for _without_ shalt thou have thy part. 110 And say thou my love desirest, how hast thou rewarding won? From the eyes swiftly shoot the glances, yet a sling, when the work is done, Smiteth gentler than looks which linger on that which doth sorrow wreak, Thy desire is but empty folly, thou shouldst other service seek! If thine hand for love's sake shall battle, if adventure hath bidden thee 115 By knighthood win love's rewarding, yet thou winnest it not from _me_. Nor honour shall be thy portion, but shame shalt thou win alone-- Now the truth have I spoken unto thee, 'twere best thou shouldst get thee gone!' Then he quoth, 'Truth thou speakest, Lady, since mine eyes thus mine heart have brought In danger, for _they_ beheld thee, and thy fetters around me wrought. 120 But now, since I be thy captive, I prithee entreat me well, Without thine own will hast thou done this, in silence I owned thy spell: Thou shalt loose me, or thou shalt bind me, for my will it shall be as thine, And gladly all woes I'ld suffer if so I might call thee mine!' Then she quoth, 'Yea! so take me with thee, if thou countest upon thy gain, 125 And the love that shall be thy guerdon, thou shalt mourn it in shame and pain. I would know if a man thou shalt be who bravely for me would fight-- And yet, if thou prize thine honour, thou wilt flee from this strife, Sir Knight! And should I yet further rede thee, and thou shouldst to my word say yea, Then seek thou elsewhere a lady--For, if thou my love dost pray, 130 Then joy and fair love's rewarding fall never unto thy share, But sorrow shall be thy portion if hence I with thee shall fare!'