Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/218

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He through a window space may make

His entry, failing not to take

A rope whereby he may descend

Into the garden and attend

Fair-Welcome’s coming, who should flee

From forth his prison hastily

To meet the Lover, who hath been

Estranged from him through hate and spleen.

And then, when once you’re locked in sleep,

Fair-Welcome towards the door should creep,

Half open it, and so his friend

Will in a moment gain his end;

Plucking the Rose, if only he

The other guards cheats equally.

But as for me, who stood hard by,

I deemed the matter certainly

Accomplished if the dame gave aid,

And felt thereof nowise afraid.

Or if I could not compass this,

I then might use some artifice

Such as False-Seeming should devise;

For him I hold as wondrous wise.

The harridan makes little stay,

But to Fair-Welcome takes her way,

Who in the prison, ’gainst his gree,

Abideth most impatiently.

Straight goes she till she stands before

The tower, and quickly hastens o’er