bears, 510
  That Agnus castus in her hand appears;
  And all her train, with leafy chaplets crown’d,
  Were for unblamed virginity renown’d;
  But those the chief and highest in command
  Who bear those holy branches in their hand: 
  The knights adorn’d with laurel crowns are they,
  Whom death nor danger ever could dismay,
  Victorious names, who made the world obey;
  Who, while they lived, in deeds of arms excell’d,
  And after death for deities were held. 520
  But those who wear the woodbine on their brow,
  Were knights of love, who never broke their vow;
  Firm to their plighted faith, and ever free
  From fears and fickle chance, and jealousy. 
  The lords and ladies, who the woodbine bear,
  As true as Tristram and Isotta were.

    But what are those, said I, the unconquer’d nine,
  Who, crown’d with laurel-wreaths, in golden armour shine? 
  And who the knights in green, and what the train
  Of ladies dress’d with daisies on the plain? 530
  Why both the bands in worship disagree,
  And some adore the flower, and some the tree?

    Just is your suit, fair daughter, said the dame: 
  Those laurell’d chiefs were men of mighty fame;
  Nine worthies were they call’d of different rites,
  Three Jews, three Pagans, and three Christian knights. 
  These, as you see, ride foremost in the field,
  As they the foremost rank of honour held,
  And all in deeds of chivalry excell’d: 
  Their temples wreathed with leaves, that still renew; 540
  For deathless laurel is the victor’s due: 
  Who bear the bows were knights in Arthur’s reign,
  Twelve they, and twelve the peers of Charlemagne: 
  For bows the strength of brawny arms imply,
  Emblems of valour, and of victory. 
  Behold an order yet of newer date,
  Doubling their number, equal in their state;
  Our England’s ornament, the crown’s defence,
  In battle brave, protectors of their prince;
  Unchanged by fortune, to their sovereign true, 550
  For which their manly legs are bound with blue. 
  These, of the Garter call’d, of faith unstain’d,
  In fighting fields the laurel have obtain’d,
  And well repaid the honours which they gain’d. 
  The laurel wreaths were first by Cesar worn,
  And still they Cesar’s successors adorn: 
  One leaf of this is immortality,
  And more of worth than all the world can buy.

    One doubt remains, said I, the dames in green,
  What were their qualities, and who their queen? 560
  Flora commands, said she, those nymphs and knights,
  Who lived in slothful ease and loose delights;
  Who never acts of honour durst pursue,
  The men inglorious knights, the ladies all untrue: 
  Who, nursed in idleness, and train’d