Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/60

26

’Mid her companions ever first

Her voice was into song to burst,

For in that art divine did she

Exceed all rivals facilely.

Then through my frame I felt a throe

Of joy to see them dancing go,

As man and maid in measure trod

With twinkling feet the springing sod.

While minstrels sang, the tambourine

Kept with the flute due time I ween.

And rondelettes burst forth amain

To merry tunes of old Lorraine

So sweetly, that I doubt if e’er

Was heard such music otherwhere,

For that fair province doth excel

In heaven-born music’s tuneful spell.

Then saw I cunning jugglers play.

And girls cast tambourines away

Aloft in air, then gaily trip

Beneath them, and on finger-tip

Catch them again, with skill so rare,

That all men stood a-wondering there.

Then came two damsels ’tired with taste

That Venus’ self had not disgraced.

And suited well their dainty dresses

The wondrous plaits that bound their tresses:

Their kirtles thin but reached the knee.

Through which their forms showed pleasantly.

I saw the twain toward Mirth advance

With agile leap and darting glance,

Then both flew forward with a bound,

Just missed a kiss, then flung them round