Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/56

34

A truce, which shall for eight days dure,

Or more or less, by no means sure

Am I which ’twas. Indeed, for ever

It well might hold, should none endeavour

To force or break it. Truth to tell,

If only had the war gone well

With Love, he surely ne’er had made

The armistice his plans to aid;

And if the guardians had supposed

That Love was purposed and disposed

To break the truce, they had agreed

By no means to their foeman’s need,

Nor had they willingly excused

The treachery wherewith Love abused

Their confidence. They had denied

All truce, knew they that Venus tried

To join therein, but now ’twas done,

And articles agreed upon.

And then the host retired somewhat,

As doth an army which hath not

Scattered the foe, but draws aback

To gather force for fresh attack.

TRAIGHT from the host the couriers twain

Journey afar, till they amain

To Cythera fair isle are come,

And welcome find in Venus’ home.