SHE ASSAYED A MYSTERIOUS QUEST

For the last time let's gird up the knight:
The shinning armor, sharp sword and
          shield,
Helm and visor; lead the charger
Toward battle, to tilt with the dragon
          that is
Not woman but the myth of woman,
Once more, and finally, to slay the many
Liv'd beast, and let the woman come out
As she may, at least no longer mythy.

Draw the sword and swing as you pass,
          warrior!
Yet, no? Do you dare tempt the wrath of
          the beast?
Stay -- surely that shinning hair that spills
          out
Thy helm belongs to no man. Then at your
          own
Command, warrior! I am no sovereign
          here. Thy
Self is sovereign and beholden to none,
          not even
To a poet. At this pass, perhaps she will...
          yet
As she may. What? Dismounted? Oh,
          woman,
What is thy game? I am overmastered
          here -- I
Must hold my tongue, or write of men and
          dogs.