Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/133

That service whereto I was bound.
Not of freewill would I be found
False to my word and solemn oath,
And, into crime so base, were loth
To be betrayed. My heart was filled
With thought of that my friend instilled
Therein with so great care: That I
By every mode and means should try
To honour Evil-Tongue, nor swerve
From his advice to please and serve10750
My cruel foes.
The Lover’s perplexities Should I get aught
Of thanks thereby? That knew I nought,
Yet wist I not what else to do,
Not daring to approach unto
The enclosure, as I quickly should
If I but wrought the thing I would.
And thus, God knows, did I debate
These doubts, with conscience desolate.
For one course duty sternly bid,
The while another thing I did,10760
And so towards the course of right
A traitor was I (though despite
Of sore temptation up till now
Had I been faithful), and did throw
My lot with treason, seen I could
No other way attain that good
My being longed for—I who ne’er
Ere this the cloak of leasings ware.