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Within the tower, whereby it might

Be safely kept by day and night.

From every battlement looked out

Great mangonels to cast about

Gigantic stones, while east and west,

And north and south, an arbalest

From every loophole peered, ’gainst which

No man could stand who neared the ditch,

And but a dotard fool, I swear,

Were he who rashly ventured there.

A long embattled wall extends

Around the moat, the which forfends

Assault of knights, until that they

At least have shown good battle play.

Within hath Jealousy arrayed

A garrison, and Danger made

The castellan; right surlily

He bears in hand the master-key

That locks the gate, which looketh east,

And under him he hath at least

A thirty warders. Next there came

The southern gate, which boasted Shame

For trusty portress; many a guard

She hired to keep strict watch and ward

By night and day. Towards the north

A gate ’neath Fear’s command looks forth,

The which she keepeth closely locked,

Mistrusting lest her guard be mocked

The while she sleeps, and rarely she

Will open whosoe’er it be

Demandeth entrance. Trembleth sore

Her heart if e’en soft gales sweep o’er