Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/181

Rh

Hath little worth; I still remain

As one beneath some curse or bane

That waxeth ever. Danger, Fear,

And Shame and Jealousy draw near

To mock and gibe, while Evil-Tongue

With speech envenomed worketh wrong

To all good men, and dealeth death

On every side with poisonous breath.

Fair-Welcome they in prison hold,

To whom my thoughts would I unfold

Freely, and reft of that delight,

God grant me soon to die outright.

Alas! I well-nigh choke with rage

If I but let that hag engage

My thoughts, whose vigilance, from sight

Keepeth Fair-Welcome day and night.

Thereby my woes will mount apace,

Although the God of Love’s sweet grace,

Gave me three gifts of sovereign power,

Alas! small help in this dark hour

Are they. Sweet-Thought avails me not,

While of Soft-Speech no chance I’ve got,

And nought can Sweet-Looks do for me;

Unless God help me speedily,

They must to me be lost past doubt.

If dear Fair-Welcome should wear out

His life in dreary prison cell,

Held fast therein by treason fell,

He of my death the cause will be,

For never, as I deem, will he

Escape alive. Escape! alas!

Small might have I through such a pass

VOL. I.