Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/132

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The three was Shame, and know that she

Cometh of doubtful ancestry;

Her mother Reason hight, her sire,

Alas! was foul Misdeed, a dire

And bloody monster, to whom ne’er

Did Reason yield herself, but bare

Her daughter, when by sad mischance

Misdeed had cast on her one glance;

And when God’s will it was that Shame

Was thus engendered, so it came

That Chastity, who erst had been

Of Roses and of Rose-buds queen

And guardian, finding her beset

By robbers, vainly sought to get

Swift aid.

Now Venus ’tis, forsooth,

Who day and night inciteth youth

To reive the Roses.

Chastity,

By Venus sorely vexed, the knee

To Reason bent, and asked from her

Her child, as help and succourer.

Then Reason fired with will to save

The Rosebuds, heard her prayer, and gave

Her virtuous, innocent daughter, Shame.

And Jealousy moreover came

With Fear, than these none better know

Dame Venus’ wiles to overthrow;

And evermore this well-met trine

Of subtle castellans, combine

That none may Rosebud seize or Rose.

Now being well within the close,