A Ballad of Two Knights by Sara Teasdale — Read

Two knights rode forth at early dawn / A-seeking maids to wed, / Said one, "My lady must be fair, / With gold hair on her head."

Then spake the other knight-at-arms: / "I care not for her face, / But she I love must be a dove / For purity and grace."

And each knight blew upon his horn / And went his separate way, / And each knight found a lady-love / Before the fall of day.

But she was brown who should have had / The shining yellow hair -- / I ween the knights forgot their words / Or else they ceased to care.

For he who wanted purity / Brought home a wanton wild, / And when each saw the other knight / I ween that each knight smiled.