Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/31

Rh manner of its building, are fully set forth. The doors are guarded by Fear, Shame, Danger, and Evil-Tongue. The Lover bemoans his hard fate in being cut off from the society of one he loves so well.

[Here the tale, as told by William Lorris, breaks off abruptly. A later hand has put a summary conclusion to the story, relating how the Lover overcomes Fear, Shame, Evil-Tongue, and Danger by the aid of Venus, and possesses himself of the Rose.]

The Lover bemoans his unhappy state. He recalls Love’s promises to give him help and comfort, but how shall he put faith in him who. has deceived so many? If he should die, at least he hopes that the God of Love will take Fair-Welcome under his protection, to whom he leaves by will all that he can call his own, namely, his heart.

While in this forlorn frame of mind he suddenly sees Reason approach him once more. She asks him whether he is not by this time weary of Love’s bondage. Surely not, he replies. Reason then undertakes to instruct him as to the true nature of love, affirming it to be but a mass of contradictions and contrarieties. With this the Lover declares himself but ill content, and asks Reason to explain the matter further. When