Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/191

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How from my misery I may be

Deliverèd: all by contrary

You argue, but so far I nought

Have learned from all thy tongue hath taught.

By heart I know each saw that you

Have uttered, and will gladly do

All your commands; would God I might

Gain wisdom thence my soul to light.

But, by our Lady, I would know

What like may be this Love whom so

You blame and scorn; can you define

His ways and works, while I incline

A diligent ear to all you say?”

Quoth she: “Right readily, I pray

Thee give good heed: Love is, I trow,

A malady much prone to grow

Severe ’twixt folk of different sex,

And liable to sorely vex

Their minds. Once caught, betwixt the two

Befalls a strong desire to do

The self-same thing; to fondle, kiss.

And spend long hours in mutual bliss.

Love doth not crave by any measure

To fill the world—his aim is pleasure—

Thereto alone he gives his mind,

Not the engendering of mankind.

Yet on the other hand have I

Known some who loved but feignedly,