Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/145

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For no man woman-born may win

His way to heaven unscathed by sin)

Towards me his heart shall be so true

That, in the end, whate’er he do,

With tearful eyes and head low bent,

Sorely will he his crime repent,

And vow henceforth to keep him clear.

This fair Romance he’ll hold so dear,

That to its ending will he trace

The tale, God give him time and place.

When death shall snatch Dan William, then

Dan John in hand shall take the pen

When forty years are passed, and say:

(O’ercome with grief to think he may

Fair-Welcome’s help and comfort lose,

Prisoned by Jealousy’s vile ruse)

“If he no more may bless my sight.

O’er me will fall despair’s black night!”

And every other word that he

Hath wisely said or foolishly,

Repeat, until he shall have gained

The Rose from its fair stem and fained

His heart thereby, and once more day

May dawn, and dreaming pass away;

And every point will make so sure

And clear, that nought remains obscure.

Doubt not, if in their power it lay,

These both would lend their aid this day.

But while of one the life is worn,

The other hath not yet been born,

And therefore cannot help our cause,

Or set before the world my laws;