Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 3.pdf/86

64

Twill know no peace. If you refuse,

Alas! ’twill then be clear I lose

Your confidence, but well I know

What tender love for me doth flow

Through all your being when I hear

You say, ‘Sweet love’ and ‘Sister dear.’

And ’gainst whom is it that you guard

This chestnut, kept with watch and ward?

For if you hide from me your grief

’Twould seem as though a traitor thief

You but esteem me—I, who ne’er

From that first day ’twas mine to share

Your name, concealed, whate’er betid,

The secret thought my bosom hid,

But leaving father dear, and mother,

Uncles and cousins, sister, brother,

On you alone do I depend

My one relation, love, and friend.

Forsooth, a sad exchange I’ve made

If you should show yourself afraid

To trust me, though I ne’ertheless

Love you with fondest tenderness.

But no more than a garden leek

Can you esteem me, if you seek

This trouble from me to withhold,

Possessed with fear lest it be told

Abroad. By Christ, our Lord in heaven!

Into whose hands could it be given

So safely? Think the matter out,

And if my loyalty you doubt.

My body’s in your power to do

Therewith whatever pleaseth you.