That one, albeit of these degenerate times,

Deploring changes past, or dreading change

Foreseen, had dared to couple, even in thought,

The fine vocation of the sword and lance

With the gross aims and body-bending toil

Of a poor brotherhood who walk the earth

Pitied, and, where they are not known, despised.

"Yet, by the good Knight's leave, the two estates

Are graced with some resemblance. Errant those,

Exiles and wanderers—and the like are these;