Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/44

22

Nought have I said, whereof I know,

That they in any wise can show

At variance with the books of old,

Or men’s experience manifold;

Or which fair reason doth condemn:

Agree they not?—the worse for them.

And were there found, by closest search.

One word in slight of holy Church,

Ready am I to make amend.

For ’neath her rule my soul I bend.

HEN firstly Franchise, gentle dame.

Against dread Danger humbly came,

Whose bearing proud and angry eye

Outrage bespoke, and felonry.

A club he grasped within his fist,

Which dexterously he knew to twist

And twirl, that ne’er against it shield

Could stand, and so he knew to wield

His weapon, that the man who dared

Anigh it come, but evil fared,

Unless right well he knew the way

Of subtlest skill in battle play,

And bold was he who dared to face

The potence of that monstrous mace.