Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/117

Rh And doubt if thou in speech art able

To show thee skilled and affable.

Of three things that thou hadst to say

Two suddenly have passed away

From thy remembrance, t’other one

Thou’lt babble forth in shamefast tone;

For never man existed yet,

Who did not thuswise words forget,

Unless a lover false of heart

Were he, who did but act a part.

Lovers untrue are void of fear,

Ready of speech, and bright of cheer;

One thing they think, yet speak another,

With view their base designs to smother:

Vile and malignant traitors they,

Using fair words to lead astray.

Whene’er this parleying is sped,

Although thou hast no word missaid,

Thou natheless wilt suspect that thou

Art lightly held, and puzzle how

Thou more can’st say, whereof shall come

Vexation sharp as martyrdom.

For every lover’s life is dight

With dire vexation in despite

Of noblest aim, and he must spend

His days in strife from end to end.

In vain he hopes for sweet increase

Of joy, his lot is dire unpeace.

E’en when upon thee night doth close,

Thou shalt but find exchange of woes

And vexings; supine on thy bed,

A cloud of torment round thine head

VOL. I.