Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/226

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Above his flowing golden hair,

And hears his keeper laughing swear

By body and soul, and skin and bones,

That no man fairer chaplet owns.

And often doth Fair-Welcome place

Himself before the mirror’s face.

In heart rejoiced and gratified.

The dame then, seeing none beside

Themselves are there, en tête à tête

Anear him seats her, all elate,

And thus begins to sermon him:

Fair-Welcome, dear, no cherubim

Is fair, and sweet, and good as you.

My joyous days are all worn through,

While yours are barely yet begun,

Your woof of life as yet unspun.

Alas! my strength is on the wane,

And needs must I my limbs sustain

Ere long on helpful crutch or staff,

While you with joy-brimmed heart may laugh

Careless of what your fate may be.

Yet must you pass, assuredly,

Sooner or later, through the fire,

Which all men feel of love’s desire,

And in that wave must plunge you, which

Queen Venus dights for poor and rich.

Prepare you, then, belovèd one,

Ere over you love’s waters run,

By these wise counsellings I give;

For he doth perilously live