THE LADY. br br O cavalier! what dost thou here, br Thy tuneful vigils keeping; br While the northern star looks cold from far br And half the world is sleeping? br br br THE KNIGHT. br br O lady! here, for seven long year, br Have I been nightly sighing, br Without the hope of a single tear br To pity me were I dying. br br br THE LADY. br br Should I take thee to have and to hold, br Who hast nor lands nor money? br Alas! 'tis only in flowers of gold br That married bees flnd honey. br br br THE KNIGHT. br br O lady fair! to my constant prayer br Fate proves at last propitious; br And bags of gold in my hand I bear, br And parchment scrolls delicious. br br br THE LADY. br br My maid the door shall open throw, br For we too long have tarried: br The friar keeps watch in the cellar below, br And we will at once be married. br br br THE FRIAR. br br My children! great is Fortune's power; br And plain this truth appears, br That gold thrives more in a single hour, br Than love in seven long years.