Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/48

26

Soft sighs, and groans, and sad complaint,

Pity, whose tears knew no restraint,

Thrust the foul caitiff through and through.

Though fought he fierce as leopards do.

But when she had in tears immersed

The villain and his arms accurst,

He felt a softening of the heart,

And trowed his spirit must depart

O’erwhelmed within the plenteous flood.

Ne’er yet before had hardihood

Of words or deeds so conquered him.

He felt strength fail and senses swim;

Tottering and weak he fears to fall,

And fain would flee. Then Shame doth call:

O Danger, Danger, trusted knave,

If you, whom all account so brave,

Should recreant prove. Fair-Welcome will

Escape, and all our care prove nil;

And then will he betray the Rose

That we with such great pains enclose

And guard, and unto villains give

That treasure which not long will live,

But wan and pale will fade away;

O heed my speech or rue the day.

Boasting apart, full well I know,

That if a certain wind should blow

Herein, while stands the gate ajar,

It would the Rose blooms sadly mar,

For ’twould too much its own seed shed,

Or else strange seed be scatterèd,