Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/132

104

’Tis foolishness to call that life

Which is but fury, rage and strife.

Reason saw well your folly, but

To all her wisdom did you shut

Your ears, and madly you deceived

Yourself when nowise you believed

Her words. Before Dame Reason came.

No power could you from Love reclaim,

And now, forsooth, you still despise

My words, since Love alone you prize.

From lovers gain I small esteem,

Meseemeth that alone they dream

Of scattering wide my goods, but whence

Can come the wealth that fools dispense.

When, slaves to Love, they play his game?

That rede you, in the devil’s name!

But hence, and leave me here in peace.

I saw ’twere well my prayers to cease,

And sadly thence betook my way.

But, though I went, with her did stay

Her friend arrayed in raiment rich.

I took a path, scarce noting which,

Across that close past all compare,

Filled with delights most heavenly fair,.

The tale whereof ye erst have heard.

But now, alas! no more it stirred

Joy in my heart. I dreamed alone

What manner way might best be done