Puck of Pook's Hill

Knighthood is for the land. At sea, look you, a man is but a spurless rider on a bridleless horse.

The curses of a fool and the dust of a journey are two things no wise man can escape...

I followed my Duke ere I was a lover,

To take from England fief and fee;

But now this game is the other way over —

But now England hath taken me!I had my horse, my shield and banner,

And a boy’s heart, so whole and free;

But now I sing in another manner —

But now England hath taken me!As for my Father in his tower,

Asking news of my ship at sea;

He will remember his own hour —

Tell him England hath taken me!As for my Mother in her bower,

That rules my Father so cunningly;

She will remember a maiden’s power —

Tell her England hath taken me!As for my Brother in Rouen City,

A nimble and naughty page is he;

But he will come to suffer and pity —

Tell him England hath taken me!As for my little Sister waiting

In the pleasant orchards of Normandie;

Tell her youth is the time for mating —

Tell her England hath taken me!As for my Comrades in camp and highway,

That lift their eyebrows scornfully;

Tell them their way is not my way —

Tell them England hath taken me!Kings and Princes and Barons famèd,

Knights and Captains in your degree;

Hear me a little before I am blamèd —

Seeing England hath taken me! Howso great man’s strength be reckoned,

There are two things he cannot flee;

Love is the first, and Death is the second —

And Love in England hath taken me!

Gold changes men altogether.

All people can be wise by reading of books.

The pen cuts deep.