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In arms ’gainst Danger. Surely then

The fort must yield to suchlike men

Banded together, if but they

Their strength and valiancy display.

Above all else right well it were

Your mother Venus should be there,

Who understandeth better far

Than many another how Love’s war

Is wrought and won. Without her aid

Some error lightly might be made

In word or deed. Let thy command

Ensure to us her mighty hand.

Venus, great lords, whom I confess

As mother, lady, and mistress,

I may not at my pleasure bend

To serve my will. Yet oft-times wend

Will she to succour me when I

Beseech her powerful ministry,

Fearing the while to ask too much.

She is my mother, and as such,

E’en from my childhood’s days, a sense

I feel of humble reverence

Towards her, for if sons no fear

Have of their parents, they but rear

A baleful seed-crop. Natheless we

May ask her aid if need should be,

And e’en though far away, she’d speed

Hither hot-foot, nor hindrance heed.