Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/62

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Without delay

I followed where she led the way

With right good will, for strong desire

To join the throng my heart ’gan fire;

Yet scarce therewith to mingle dared

Till thus her welcome speech had bared

My mind of doubt. I then began

The glorious folk around to scan,

Their fashions, manners, style and seeming:

Now list, while forth I tell my deeming.

Erect Sir Mirth stood, straight and tall.

In all points such as one might call

A man well built; a tinge of red

His white cheek lit, no vermeil thread

His mouth, but full and round, his eyes

Steel blue and gracious, whence did rise

Sweet smiles unceasingly, his nose

Was such as Grecian Phidias chose

For great Apollo, blond his hair.

Which fell adown his shoulders bare

In silken curls, his girdlestead

Was slight, yet lithesome lustihead

Its lines betrayed, while arms and knees

Were knit like mighty Hercules.

The glorious masterpiece did he

Of some great painter look to be,

And scarce need fear comparison

For beauty with Jove’s godlike son:

Where beard would be, began to spring

Down, soft as that ’neath cushat’s wing.

His noble limbs were richly clad

In samite, which about it had