Page:The Book of the Duke of True Lovers - 1908.djvu/128



Now am I joyous and of merry cheer,

More than aforetime in her grace divine.

Love bade me follow in his chosen train

Where gladness walks beside my lady's feet,

Nor any loss is mingled with my gain,

For she hath granted me her love so sweet.

Princess of love, my sorrow I disdain

Since out of mourning cometh joy complete

By grace of her who is love's suzerain,

For she hath granted me her love so sweet.

So I demeaned me prudently and wisely, and I desired to have apparel and horses and beautiful things in much plenty, and great pains did I take to make me acquainted with all matters which become honest folk, and, as far as I was able, I avoided those which are unworthy, and I always had the desire to increase my fame, to the end that my lady might hold herself loved of a brave man. Thus I spared no pains to become rich, in order to dispense freely, and it appeared as if I made no count of riches.

But to shorten my story, I tell you truly that none other thought had I than to follow in the path of true lovers, and oft, thank God, did I come to enjoy the welcome favours the which Love and Dames dispense to those who are faithful to them, for I well knew how