Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/217

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But howsoever this might be,

False-Seeming, restless as the sea,

Spake to himself in muttering voice:

Since he repenteth not his choice,

If he for whom we undertook

This business, unto me would look

For guidance, ’twould have taxed your art,

Good dame, to keep the friends apart

If I know aught of suchlike things,

And understand manœuvrings.

With fitting place, and time to match,

No matter how the fold they watch,

The wolf knows well his aim to cloak,

And in the night-watch gives his stroke.

Some day you’ll to the minster pay

A visit, e’en as yesterday;

And Jealousy his chance will crown,

Taking her ways beyond the town;

Then will the time be ripe that he

Should issue forth all furtively.

Proceeding, silent and alone,

By secret ways, to few men known,

Unless, perchance, some kindly friend

As sentinel his aid should lend,

To guide him through the shades of night,

Foregoing torch or lantern light,

And such times as the moon rules high,

For many a lover wofully

Therethrough hath failed. And as the spot

To him familiar is, I wot,