Where the glint of swords is the only light On a passing storm of men; Or where the Furies rocking wait For the world to die again; Where horsemen ride by the winding river Galloping in the quest: One wears black and one wears yellow, And one in red is dressed. One fares in the flaunt of a scholar’s cloak, And a velvet hat and plume; Two ride with eyes fixed on the ground, And one with a face of gloom. One laughs at the others and laughs at himself, Two think of themselves alone; One sees a goal for his thirsting soul, And life as a stepping stone. They pass through a village where Some boys are flying kites. The people come with food and wine To entertain the Knights. And one takes bread and one takes cake, Three drink a little wine. And two drink for their heart’s delight, And one for an anodyne. And the Knight in red slips off to a tavern And drinks him deep and strong, And then he hurries to catch his fellows And hails them with a song. They come to a village that lay Within a King’s domains: The Knight in yellow takes his sword And strikes away the chains. They come to a place of festival Through which there passed a hearse: The Knight in black reins in his steed To look thereon and curse. They come to a hall of curious books Under a mountain peak: The Knight in the scholar’s cloak goes in And talks with them in Greek. And all the way by the winding river By heaven’s breeze unfurled The tiger banner and dragon banner Flutter around the world. As night drew down they come to a palace Of laughter, lights and din. Says the Knight in red, “I tarry here, For I hear the violin.” “Nay,” says the Knight in yellow dressed; “Nay,” says the Knight in black; “Nay,” says the scholar, “I sleep in the open To study the Zodiac.” Out comes to them an equerry And sees their piteous dole: “Come in,” says the ruddy equerry, “And dine with Old King Cole.” He seized their horses ere they could turn And led them where candles shone, And there with a crown tipped on his head Sat the monarch on his throne. “What is your name, all yellow dight, And where does your sovereign reign?” The sorrowful Knight then answered the King: “I’m traveling back to Spain.” “What is your name, all dressed in black, And whither do you roam?” “I was a mad prince they sent to England And now I’m going home.” “What is your name, in a scholar’s cloak, And what is your heart’s joy?” “I search through Europe night and day For a spouse for Helen of Troy.” “They’re as mad as hatters,” said King Cole As he straightened his crown on his head. “Go call in the fiddlers, bring my bowl, Fetch me my pipe,” he said.