The Lover speaks.
Love not won lightly
When Love had said his say, I cried:
“Alas! must lovers then abide2690
Such cruel woe, such bitter pain.
As you recount ere yet they gain
The wished-for haven? Grievous fear
O’erwhelms my mind: what man can steer
His life through such a sea of woe
As your sworn liege must undergo?
In sighs and tears and wailings wrapped,
His health destroyed, his vigour sapped;
His nights consumed with anxious care:
Ah! God, I ask what man could wear2700
His life one month in such a hell,
Unless forsooth he bare a shell
Of adamant or steel?”
Quick sped
The God reply thereto, and said:
Love speaks.
“Now swear I, by my father’s soul,
Who wins the prize must pay the toll,
For game hath ever sweeter taste
Which weary foot hath hotly chased;
And likewise good seems higher good
When bought by pain and wearihood.2710
Certes most true it is that, ne’er
Can aught with lovers’ woes compare;
The man lives not whose might the sea
Can empty, nor can ever be
Love’s pains set forth in tale or book;
Yet natheless, still do lovers look
