Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/289

Rh

And much deep subtle thought they hide

’Neath veils torn easily aside.

Now have I given two words that should

By thee be scarce misunderstood,

And best were taken by the letter,

Gloss them thou mayst, but nought wilt better.”

“Lightly will all who know the tongue

Of our fair France allow you strung

Your words so clearly that no man

In any sort or fashion can

Misunderstand them. Needless quite

Is further talk to prove you right.

The fiction, fable, metaphor,

That poets wrote in days of yore,

I’ve no intention to expound.

Right joyfully will I resound

The pleasant tale of what hath happed

To me, if but my life be capped

With such rich guerdon as should pay

My constancy for many a day,

In suchwise as all men might see

Clearly whate’er hath happed to me.

I grant you to be well excused

The manner you your tongue have used,

And nowise shall I strive to fit

Your phrase with gloss, nor think of it.

But for sweet sake of God above,

Forbear to blame my ardent love.

If I be mad, ’tis my affair,

And well content am I to bear