Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/68

34

Declare at full the countenances,

Their joyous sports and graceful dances.

Perceived I that the God of Love

One noble lady sought above

All others gathered there; she hight

Dame Beauty, as that arrow bright

Which bore her name was she, and dowed

With gentle grace, which freely showed

In all her movements. As the moon

Makes candles of the stars, her noon

Paled all her fellows: as the dew

Her flesh was tender, and ne’er new

And blushing bride more simple seemed;

Where’er her skin peeped forth it gleamed

As white as fleur-de-lis; her brow

Was clear and fair as virgin snow,

The while her form was tall and slight.

No need had she her face to dight

With paint or other vain disguise.

As women somewhiles use; despise

And scorn might she such false allure,

In natures decking bright and pure.

So plenteous grew her golden hair,

That near her heels it reached I swear.

Her nose, her mouth, her beaming eyes.

Were such that when their beauties rise

(God help me) in my thought they seem

To wake once more that glorious dream.

Forsooth, so sweet she was and fair,

With perfect rounded limbs, that ne’er

Throughout the world’s broad space, I ween,

Aught could surpass her matchless sheen.