Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/227

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Who breasts love’s waves, yet knows them not,

But if my creed you once have got

By heart, you shall arrive at last

Safely in port, all dangers past.

Believe me, if, when young as you,

I’d known love’s art as now I do,

And of its ways had been aware

(For I, in youth, was passing fair),

You would not hear me groan and sigh

As I consider mournfully

My outworn visage, and repine

At every pucker, seam and line,

When of my beauty lost I think,

Whereof gay lovers fain would drink

Long draughts to quench their lovesick heat:

(Good Lord! it makes my pulses beat!)

For then was I of high renown,

Alike in countryside and town,

For fairness, and of gallants proud

And rich there never lacked a crowd

Around my dwelling. Many a score

Of blows came rattling ’gainst my door,

When I disdained with answering word

To let them know their calls were heard,

Because it happed forsooth that I

Already had good company.

Hereout grew oft a wild uproar,

And monstrous wroth was I therefor.

The porch, ’neath stout and sturdy stroke,

Would yield sometimes, and then awoke

A fierce mellee, and lives and limbs

Were lost to please my wayward whims,