Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/261

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If found there would beyond all doubt

Still living see her heart torn out:

And then he surely will remain

When once within her toils he’s ta’en.

’Tis well she should remember when

Her friend she may expect again;

And if there’s no one on the watch

Let her undo the window latch

(Although the door serves better far),

Swearing the while that lost they are,

And may account themselves as dead

Should they be thus discoverèd.

For neither buckler, club, nor glaive

For one short hour their lives could save,

Nor secret chambers guarantee

But what they should dismembered be.

And then should she assume an air

Of anger mingled with despair.

And fall on him with great disdain,

Demanding why doth he remain

So long away—she doubteth not

The reason is that he hath got

Some other he prefers to her;

Younger perchance, and merrier,

To whom, forsooth, his time he gives,

While she, alas! neglected lives:

Ah! well may she with anguish burn

Who loves, but wins not love’s return.

And when he hears her thus complain

’Twill work like fire within his brain,