Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/177

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With you, dear friend, it would assuage

The griefs that in my bosom rage

So fiercely, but no light I see

To lead me where I fain would be.

Thus in the direst woe was I

Plunged, when behold, all suddenly

Dame Pity came from towards the tower,

Who many a heart in darkest hour

Consoleth; and at once began

To comfort me: “O sorrowing man,”

She said, “I come to cheer thy heart,

And bring kind friends to bear me part

In that good work. Simplicity,

Joined with Sweet-Looks and Loyalty

And Beauty, and Fair-Welcome eke,

Are ’scaped from forth the tower to seek

With me thy comfort. Though right high

The keep is built, no walls defy

True faithful hearts, although array

Of death and danger bar the way.

We watched, till weariness ’gan steep

The eyes of Jealousy in sleep,

And then sped forth although ’mid great

Alarm; for Fear, whose constant fate

It is to cry and tremble, ran

Hither and thither, and our plan

Well-nigh defeated, filled with doubt

If Evil-Tongue were not about

And listening. But the brave Strong-Love,

Who joys to serve his friends, above

All else, destroyed the envious door

Though Fear scarce dared to tread the floor.