Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/52

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Became with longing for some mode

To win within this blest abode,

And searched, but vainly searched, alas!

For means, or fair or foul, to pass

The wall, but nought to help me found;

And then I vainly gazed around

For one who might, for love or meed.

Within that longed-for haven lead

My eager footsteps. Thus I stood,

With dire vexation well-nigh wood,

Until the thought possessed my mind,

That never yet was wall so blind

That careful diligence should fail

To find some door, or means to scale.

Hot-foot, the boundary’s full extent

I traversed, heart and soul intent

Some aperture to spy; at last

Mine eye with eager joy I cast

Upon a wicket, straight and small,

Worked in the stern, forbidding wall,

And forthwith set myself to get

An entry there, whate’er might let.

ULL many a time with sounding blow

I struck the door, and, head bent low.

Stood hearkening who might make reply.

The horn-beam wicket presently

Was opened by a dame of air

Most gracious, and of beauty rare: