Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/103

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“Now, by my head! that seems to me

Well said,” quoth Love, “and I accept

Thy word; that body safe is kept

By him who under lock hath got

His captive’s very heart, God wot!”

OVE then from forth his alm’ner drew

A little key, well-wrought anew

Of thrice refined gold, and said:

“This to thy heart my hand must wed;

To its safe keeping I confide

My jewels; ne’er hath it belied

My perfect trust. It doth possess

Great virtue, and in size though less

Than thy small finger, strong;

The name that to it doth belong

Is: Mistress of my jewels rare.”

Forthwith Love touched my side with care,

And so adroitly turned the key,

That scarce its path was known to me.

His utter will he thus worked out,

And when I felt ’twas done past doubt,