The Parliament of Birds

A poor man fell in love with Egypt's king,
Who heard the news and ordered guards to bring
The wretch to him. 'You love the king,' he said;
'Now choose: give up your home here or your head --
You must make up your mind between these two,
Exile or death. Well, which seems best to you?'
For all his love this pauper wasn't brave;
His choice was exile rather than the grave.
He left; the king's command came loud and clear:
'Cut off his head at once and bring it here.'
The porter said: 'But he is innocent;
Why should my lord command this punishment?'
'He did not really love,' the king replied.
'Though he pretended love for me, he lied:
If he were valiant in love he would
Have chosen death here as the highest good.
If one prefers his head to love, then he
Must pay to love the traitor's penalty --
Had he required my head, at his command
There would have been no lord to rule this land;
I would have worn his livery, a king
Would have become his slave in everything --
But he resisted love, and it is right
That he should lose his head in such a fight.
The man who leaves me, though he rave and cry,
Is an impostor and his love's a lie --
I say this as a warning to that crowd
Whose boasts of love for me ring long and loud.' "