Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/24

 xxii beautiful, and adorned with fair paintings. He carries also two quivers, each one containing five arrows. Those borne in his right hand are beautiful of aspect, and sharply barbed with gold. They are named Beauty, Simplicity, Franchise, Companionship, and Fair-Seeming. The arrows borne in his left hand are hideous of aspect, and are named Pride, Villainy, Shame, Despair, and Fickleness. The Dreamer notices that the special companion of the God of Love is a lady named Beauty. Her form and appear­ ance are fully set forth.

Richesse, who keeps close beside Beauty, is described in careful detail. Beside her sits Largesse, and not far from her is seen the damsel hight Franchise.

The Dreamer sings the praises of Courtesy and the Lady Idleness, to whom he owed his entry into the garden.

Herein is told of Youth and her Lover, and their inexperience of the ways of life.

Having watched the dance to its end and seen the different couples retire to repose themselves in shady bowers, the Dreamer marks how the God of Love calls Sweet-Looks towards him, and takes from his hand the fair-made bow and the five beautiful arrows. He is overwhelmed with fear lest the darts should be destined for him, and notes that Cupid watches him and