Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/34

12

And he, so sweet and debonair;

To trust together such a pair

Would be the foxes with the geese

To cage, that both might dwell in peace.

Betake yourself elsewhere, I pray,

’Tis clear that you but come this way

To bring upon us foul disgrace,

Hence, nor show here again your face.

To ask us that your friend may rule

As judge, but stamps you for a fool.

A judge! by Him who judges all!

In wondrous wise would judgments fall

Should we for blindfold justice’ sake

An umpire of a culprit make.

As one condemned Fair-Welcome stands,

And droll ’twould be if now our hands

Should make him judge and arbiter!

No! till the deluge reappear

Fast shall he stay within the tower.

To keep him fast we’ll use our power,

Before it haps that every Rose

To ruthless spoilers he expose.

Each robber will good greeting get

If by Fair-Welcome he be met,

And therefore needful ’tis that he

Be prisoner kept unendingly.

No man shall to the Roses find

Access, except he ride the wind,

Unless, perchance, he prove so strong

As seize the prize by roughshod wrong,

And playing such a prank, may he

As goal attain the gallows-tree.