Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/49

Rh

Whereby the Rose might burdened be,

May God stay such calamity.

And even though this grain should not

Flourish and grow, it well I wot

May to the Rose cause suffering.

Or e’en its death thereof may spring.

Or if ’twere spared by cruel death,

Yet might the wind’s unruly breath

So mix the grain in some ill hour,

That through such burden failed the flower,

Or that the leaves should feel the shock

In such wise that they sway and rock,

Till lastly falling they display

Red buttons to the light of day;

Which God forbid, for then ’twere said

That ruffians had its ruin sped.

And thus should we incur the hate

Of Jealousy, and dread our fate

Would be, behind death’s shadow sunk;

The devil himself hath made you drunk.

Help! help! cried Danger, help, I say!

And thereon Shame sped straight away

To Pity, and with menace plied

Her soft heart, as she loudly cried:

You’ve lived too long, vile Pity, yield!

Or in a trice will I your shield

Destroy, and you quick death shall win,

Thou fool! this combat to begin.