If tongues be sharp with malice,
A woman must be silent. If defamers
Stab at her honour in the dark—why, still
She must be silent. I am a woman, a Queen;
And yet, how can I fight with evil tongues?
I count you all as friends, all of you here;
And if your Queen on any day should need
Armour and sword, she gives to you her honour;
The dearest thing she has she gives to you.
Gawaine