LVII
With will to ease the Lover’s grief
Appeared to him his mighty chief,10770
The God of Love, who pardoned him
That he awhile had deigned to trim
His ear to Reason, and, quoth he,
Unreason shalt thou henceforth be.
The Lover questioned
When Love thus clearly saw that I
Preserved towards him my loyalty,
(A loyalty not lightly worn,
For by a solemn oath ’twas sworn),
He came, smiled at my grief, and said,
His soft hand laid upon my head:10780
Hast thou then followed my command?
And in what case dost thou now stand
Towards that fair Rose that caused thy heart
To writhe beneath love’s bitter smart?
Put of a truth all this he knew,
For Gods divine whate’er men do.
Love speaks.
Quoth he: These hests I lay alone
On faithful lovers, and on none
Besides, hast thou all utterly
Pursued them? Frankly answer me.10790
The Lover.
I know not, sire—but this I say,
Ne’er wittingly I’ve gone astray.
