Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/61

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HEN Venus bade her suite with care

Her chariot, golden wrought, prepare,

For ne’er with miry ways she deals.

But her bright car, whose glittering wheels

Are set with fairest orient pearls,

A train of doves through ether whirls.

From out her dove-cot chosen are they,

Pink-footed, but of plumage grey.

In twink of eye the car is dight,

And Venus setteth forth to fight

Her battle against Chastity.

The well-trained birds one moment try

Their wings, and then the air they beat

Untiringly, till rest their feet

Where lies the host. Venus descends

From out her chariot, and straight wends

Her son to meet her, who that day

The late-made truce had cast away,

For Love soon proved that little loth

Was he to break his faith and troth.