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Rh replies, is lost to him for the present, and the latter imprisoned. The God bids him be of good cheer, and declares that he will summon his barons to lay siege to the castle.

The God of Love summons his barons to assemble in parliament under his banner. They include Dame Idleness, Nobleness of Heart, Richesse, Franchise, Pity, Largess, Courage, Honour, Courtesy, Delight, Simplicity, Com­pany, Surety, Pleasure, Gallantry, Beauty, Youth, Humility, Patience, Hide-Well, Constrained-Abstinence, and False-Seeming.

The God harangues his followers, and urges them to combat. He tells them that he has lost his servants Tibullus, Gallus, Catullus, and Ovid. But his servant William Lorris must not be allowed to perish, for he is not only one of his most faithful adherents, but is engaged in writing the “Romance of the Rose,” which will instruct men fully in the art of love, and this will be carried on and completed at a later date by Jean Clopinel of Meun-sur-Loire. The barons of the host declare that, with the exception of Richesse, they are all ready and anxious for the fray, and explain their plan of attack. Con­strained-Abstinence and False-Seeming will deal with Evil-Tongue; Courtesy and Largess will make account of the Duenna who mounts guard over Fair-Welcome; Pleasure and Hide-Well will attack Shame; Courage and Safety will overcome Fear; while Franchise and Pity will