Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/67

Rh

Far different, formed of iron fell

And black as he who rules dark hell.

The first was called unlovely Pride,

And Villainy lay hard beside,

With Felony is he attaint,

Portray the one—and both you paint.

The third was Shame, of downcast air,

The fourth, her fellow, dire Despair,

The while the last one proved to be

New-thought or Infidelity.

These shafts, whose qualities I name,

A close relationship may claim,

And all moreover plainly show

Near kin with that most hideous bow,

All knotted, gnarled, deformed and rough,

Though soothly seemed it good enough

To launch such villain shafts, which strive

In all things ’gainst the fair-made five

Whereof I’ve told: O scarce will you

Their power and force give credence to;

But yet the simple truth shall be

Hereafter plainly told by me;

And have a care lest you forget

The drift and sense of what is set

Before your eyes by this plain tale,

For you shall find no small avail

Therein ere yet the end is sped—

Fair wit with wisdom closely wed.

Now turn I to my tale amain:

And will of all Love’s frolic train