Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/59

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A shaded pathway, where my feet

Bruised mint and fennel savouring sweet;

And following close my gracious guide,

Found me ere long within a wide

Secluded lawn, a sweet resort

Where Mirth held joyously high court

In care-spurned ease for full enjoyment

Of life’s glad gifts, undashed by cloyment

Or surfeit or revolt. Amazed

I stood awhile, mine eyesight dazed.

For erst or since, ne’er men I ween

So like winged angels, eyes have seen.

’EN as I came within the close,

A glorious burst of song uprose;

For one, whose name was Gladness, loud

And clear-voiced sang amid the crowd

Foregathered there; full well she knew

To modulate her tones with due

And gentle cadence, now to fall

And now to rise high over all.

Her note was clear as silver bell.

And, gently swaying, rose and fell

Her supple form, the while her feet

Kept measured time with perfect beat: