Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/36

14

Than if I had been crucified.

And therefore piteously I cried

For mercy, though low-voiced I spoke,

To summon up the friendly folk

And sentinels about the gate,

Misdoubting else a cruel fate,

And when my cries for help they heard,

A shout rose that the welkin stirred:

O arms! to arms! brave barons all,

Haste ye to aid, ere worse befall,

Now were the faithful Lover lost

Unless God help him, and our host.

He by the watch-dogs, arms fast tied,

Is strangled, bruised, and crucified.

He cried for mercy in a tone

So low that scarce they heard his moan,

Yea, verily so faint and hoarse

His voice was, and devoid of force,

That with good reason might they think

The wretch it rose from neared the brink

Of death, or one whose throat was bound

With cruel, throttling cord around.