Our old English poet, Gower, whose soul was filled with romantic tenderness and gallantry, says, "In every place, in every stead, What so my lady hath me bid, With all my heart obedient, I have thereto been diligent." And every gallant spirit of Gower's days, the reign of Edward III., said of his mistress, "What thing she bid me do, I do, And where she bid me go, I go. And when she likes to call, I come, I serve, I bow, I look, I lowte, My eye followeth her about. What so she will, so will I, When she would set, I kneel by. And when she stands then will I stand, And when she taketh her work in hand, Of wevying or of embroidrie, Then can I not but muse and prie, Upon her fingers long and small." Gower, in describing the knight's mode of tendance on his mistress, has drawn a pleasing picture of the domestic life of chivalry. "And if she list to riden out, On pilgrimage, or other stead, I come, though I be not bid, And take her in my arms aloft, And set her in her saddle soft, And so forth lead her by the bridle, For that I would not be idle. And if she list to ride in chare, And that I may thereof beware, Anon, I shape me to ride, Right even by the chares side, And as I may, I speak among, And other while, I sing a song."[224] These quotations show that the expression in ancient times of knights being servants of the ladies was not a mere figure of the imagination. The instances from Gower, however, which prove the propriety of the title, may not be thought exclusively chivalric. A story in Froissart will fully supply the want. A Bourbon knight, named Sir John Bonnelance, a valiant soldier, gracious and amorous, was once at Montferrand, in Auvergne, sporting among the ladies and damsels of the town. While commending his chivalry, they urged him to undertake an enterprise against the English, and she who, as his lady-love, was ruler of his actions, told him that she would fain see an Englishman, for she had heard much of the valiancy of the knights of England. Bonnelance replied, "that if it should ever be his good fortune to take one, he would bring him into her presence." Soon afterwards he was able to perform his word. He took to Montferrand some English prisoners, and addressing her who fancied the wish of seeing an Englishman, he said "that for her love he had brought them to the town." The ladies and damsels laughed, and turned the matter to a great sport. They thanked him for his courtesy, and entertained him right sweetly during his three days abode at Montferrand.[225] [Sidenote: Love inspired bravery.]