Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/59

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But wild boars, dight with deadly tooth,

Bears, wolves, and lions, void of ruth,

Pursue not—I forbid it you,

For they defend themselves and strew

The dogs around them, maimed or dead,

And many a hunter bold hath bled

’Neath their attack, and rued the day

He sought to make such foes his prey.

O list my ardent prayer, for I

Were reft of light if you should die.

Thus lovingly doth Venus scold

Adonis, praying him to hold

Fast fixed in memory all she saith,

Lest in the woodland find he death.

Adonis but a careless ear

Afforded to his leman dear;

Whether or true or false might be

Her words, while seeming to agree,

He heeded them no single straw.

In vain she strives ’neath love’s sweet law

To bring his will—he heeds her not.

Nor for her warning cares one jot.

He for his scorn did dearly pay

With life, when Venus was away,

Too far to lend him timely aid,

And long ’twas ere her tears were stayed.

One day he chased a furious boar,

The which he deemed to triumph o’er

And carve on board, but out, alas!

Nor killed, nor carved by him it was,