Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/222

194

And e’en should he again revive,

Lover’s And reappear on earth alive,

He could not injure you one whit,

For I know more than he of it.

Believe me then, this chaplet take,

And wear it for the Lover’s sake.

He loves you well, oh doubt it not,

With love that hath nor stain nor blot.

And if he had an afterthought

Thereon, he dared to tell me nought.

Would he some thoughtless folly try,

That may you easily deny;

He who doth wrong must drink the brew,

But trust in him, I counsel you.

No fool is he, but staid and wise,

And would nought wrong or base devise,

Therefore he hath my earnest love.

Fear not that he so vile will prove,

As dare to make to you a prayer

But what the fiercest light will bear.

Most loyal of all men is he,

As all who keep his company

Would gladly witness and confess.

The very flower of gentleness

Is he, nay, woman never bare

A child of soul more passing fair,

And no man living ever heard

Against him harsh or cruel word

But from the lips of Evil-Tongue;

But what he said and what he sung

Are now by all true men forgot,

While he himself is left to rot.