Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/62

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HEN the two hosts their fury spend,

Attacking these, while those defend.

Labours the mighty mangonel.

Casting great rocks, with purpose fell.

Against the walls, whose guardians make

Stout wattled palisades, to break

The force thereof, with limber wood

From Danger’s thickets deftly hewed.

Against them the besiegers send

Great flights of keen-barbed arrows, penned

With earnest vows and giftings fair,

Which hope they in the end will bear

Good recompense, for every shaft

Hath graven on its polished haft

Fair promises, and each steel head

Is with strong oath or vow bestead.

But well the guardians know the charge

To parry, covering each with targe

His body, which might well resist

The deadliest shaft that ever hissed

In air, for made were they of wood

From Danger’s forests, gnarled and good—

’Gainst them were keenest arrows vain.

As thus the combat goes amain,