And, like such cripple, often falling as they beg.
How different’s a pillar of our holy creed!
As mountain he is steadfast; faith his living meed.
A blind man’s leg’s his staff; upon it he must lean,
Or he will risk to fall at full length on the green.235
A knight is he who sole has routed hosts of foes;
Wise leader then becomes of liegemen’s ranks through woes.
Those blind men find their way by trusting to a staff.
They lean upon a creature; their sight is in a gaff.
For, otherwise, they’d be far-seeing; they’d be kings;