Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/64

30

Her nose of delicate form, and white,

As well might show in wax’ despite.

O brilliant was the sun-gold hair

That crowned her head, round which she ware

A fillet fine, its wealth to hold.

O’er which a chaplet worked with gold

Rode royally; two-score and nine

Fair orfreyed chaplets ’neath mine eyne

Have passed erewhile, but none were wrought

Of silk so well as this methought.

Her outer mantle was a rich

Bright robe of silken samite which,

Seeing that Mirth well loved it, she

Arrayed her in delightedly.

ARD by this winsome pair did stand

The God of Love, whose mighty hand

Dealeth to lovers weal or woe

As seemeth good to him; alow

He casteth pride, and oft-time makes

High-minded men for ladies’ sakes

Right humble, and proud dames to bow

With meekness ’neath his yoke, I trow.

The God of Love is dowered with grace

So richly, both in form and face,

That scarce, I deem, of his allure

My pen dare draw the portraiture.

Love’s friends had woven from his bowers,

In scorn of silk, a robe of flowers,