“Nay, knight highly honoured,” quoth that lovesome lady, “though I have
naught of yours, yet shall ye have somewhat of mine.” With that she
reached him a ring of red gold with a sparkling stone therein, that
shone even as the sun (wit ye well, it was worth many marks); but the
knight refused it, and spake readily,
“I will take no gift, lady, at this time. I have none to give, and none
will I take.”
She prayed him to take it, but he refused her prayer, and sware in sooth
that he would not have it.