A Fight For the Green

There passed amid the crowded fair a lady All clad in stately gown of em'rald green With golden trim and diamonds all a-sparkle It was, I say in truth, a comely scene Her hair was walnut brown and deftly braided Her eyes the bluest June I e'er ha' seen Her face was white as ever summer daisy As she walked amid the fair in em'rald green I wended to the lady through the milling And sought if I might carry of her gage She chained me with ther fiery diamond necklace And sought a worthy foe upon the stage Her eyes passed o'er the sport with sharp disdaining Said she, These roughened fellows all are mean I seek a fitted match against my diamonds To win a crown of honour for the green At length, she spied the master of the quarter The stoutest wight of Herefordshire, I ween And though I had no hope against this venture I'd do it for the woman clad in green His quarterstaff was sure and fairly whistled His arms were strong, as well his eyes were keen Yet still I kept my feet upon the platform And prayed them still remain for fair Athene This lusty fight went on for half the hour A goodly crowd collected for the see'n' Then stepped the pretty damsel to the staff-ring And saith, You fairly won the lass in green