Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/195

Rh

Old age it is that brings men straight

With safety towards the postern-gate

Of life, but natheless, though she be

Heartwise and worthiest company,

Few people love her voice to hear,

Nor hail her steps, approaching near,

With welcome; nay, forsooth they hate

Her name as she were reprobate

And villain. For no man desires

To wed with Age and quench the fires

Of Youth that still burn clear and bright

In memory. Still old men delight

To stir the thought of bygone days,

And as the sun with setting rays

Gildeth awhile the world, so flings

Remembrance o’er far distant things,

With specious hand, a film of gold,

And putteth in dark shade the old

Forgotten troubles that, above

The throes of pleasure, ruled in love.

Right happy they if aught remains

Of health or goods as life tide wanes.

But art thou fain to know where lives

Youth, unto whom the whole world gives

Such plenteous praise?

In Pleasure’s house

Her woning is, who keeps her thus

In bondage, nor desireth she

Aught else than bonded slave to be

To Pleasure; nay, therein she hath

Such joy that followeth she the path

Whereso she leads, and rendereth her,

Both body and soul, her worshipper.