"A blissful life I see thee lead, The while that I am sorrow's mate; Haply thou givest little heed What might my burning hurt abate. Since I may in thy presence plead, I do beseech thee thou narrate, Soberly, surely, word and deed, What life is thine, early and late? I am fain of thy most fair estate; The high road of my joy is this, That thou hast happiness so great; It is the ground of all my bliss." She said, "May bliss to thee betide," Her face with beauty beaming clear, "Welcome thou art here to abide, For now thy speech is to me dear. Masterful mood and haughty pride, I warn thee win but hatred here; For my Lord loveth not to chide And meek are all that to Him come near. When in His place thou shalt appear, To kneel devout be not remiss, My Lord the Lamb loveth such cheer, Who is the ground of all my bliss." "Thou sayest a blissful life I know, And thou wouldst learn of its degree. Thou rememberest when thy pearl fell low In earth, I was but young to see; But my Lord the Lamb, as if to show His grace, took me His bride to be, Crowned me a queen in bliss to go Through length of days eternally; And dowered with all His wealth is she Who is His love, and I am His; His worthiness and royalty Are root and ground of all my bliss." VIII "My blissful one, may this be true. Pardon if I speak ill," I prayed: "Art thou the queen o' the heaven's blue, To whom earth's honour shall be paid? We believe in Mary, of grace who grew, A mother, yet a blameless maid; To wear her crown were only due To one who purer worth displayed. For perfectness by none gainsaid, We call her the Phoenix of Araby, That flies in faultless charm arrayed, Like to the Queen of courtesy." "Courteous Queen," that bright one said, And, kneeling, lifted up her face: "Matchless Mother and merriest Maid, Blessèd Beginner of every grace." Then she arose, and softly stayed, And spoke to me across that space: "Sir, many seek gain here, and are paid, But defrauders are none within this place; That Empress may all heaven embrace, And earth and hell in her empery; Her from her heritage none will chase, For she is Queen of courtesy." "The court of the kingdom of God doth thrive Only because of this wondrous thing: Each one who therein may arrive, Of the realm is either queen or king; And no one the other doth deprive, But is fain of his fellow's guerdoning, And would wish each crown might be worth five, If possible were their bettering. But my Lady, from whom our Lord did spring, Rules over all our company, And for that we all rejoice and sing, Since she is Queen of courtesy."