Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/66

32

Of dames and knights of gentle mien.

Moreover in his hands were seen

Ten arrows, five of which were fair

And beauteous; these his right hand bare,

Brilliant the plumes, the notches made

Of gold, the while like-precious blade

Each shaft-end wore; though nought of steel

Or iron knew they, hearts would feel

Their wound-stroke sorely. Save the shaft

And plumes, ’twas well-skilled goldsmiths’ craft

Had wrought these weapons; they were capped

With cruel barbs, and whoso happed

Within their murderous range to fall

Would feel Love’s wound and own his thrall.

Of these five shafts, I trow the best

And speediest, when it knew Love’s best,

(And fairest eke for plumage reckoned)

Had Beauty for its name; the second

Was called Simplicity; the third

Was Franchise, and another word

Bedecked it, sweetest Courtesy:

Companionship I saw to be

The fourth, which if ’twere shot from far

Would do small harm, but greatly mar

If drawn anear: the fifth and last

Fair-Seeming was, which, deftly cast,

Doth sorely maim, but yet the wound

Incurable is rarely found,

But given due time may healèd be

By means of Love’s sweet surgery.

Sweet-Looks five arrows held likewise

Within his left hand, but of guise