Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/90

56

Before me that too long I let

engross my mind. Ah! yet

I feel these mirrors ’twas deceived

My soul, and could I have believed

What sorrow to their sight was wed,

Then had I turned my steps and fled,

As flees a man the plague. Ah me!

I fell—like others—woefully.

O’er all things mirrored there I chose

A rose bush, charged with many a rose,

Encinctured by a thick grown hedge,

And doubt ye not that though in pledge

Paris and Pavia held I both,

Mine heart in no degree were loth

To render up the twain so I

Might gaze thereon unceasingly.

Soon as I felt this passion seize

My heart, which oft hath caused misease

To wisest men, my longing drew

Me towards the rose-bush and then flew

Through all ray soul its savour sweet,

Which set my heart and pulse abeat

Like fire. And were it not for fear

That I the scot might pay too dear,

I surely should have dared to seize

A rosebud, seen nought else could please

My senses equally, but dread

Restrained ray hand lest, angerèd

Thereat, the guardian of the spot

Might thrust me thence straightway, God wot!

Aheap were roses! none I ween

Elsewhere ’neath Heaven’s blue dome hath seen