Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/143

Came nigh to ending. Not so great
Her grief was at the cruel fate11000
Of her Adonis, when the boar
His ivory thigh with death-wound tore.
Nought then could comfort or assuage
Her grief, yet fiercer did it rage
When died Tibullus; nought can stay
Our tears, till time hath passed away.
Love’s orators Catullus, Gallus, Ovid sweet,
How perfectly they knew to treat
Of Love’s fair science, well bestead
Were we of them—alas! they’re dead.11010
William of Lorris next regard,
Who certainly must meet a hard
And cruel fate through Jealousy,
Did he not chance to find in me
A saving hand. With loving heart
Doth he sweet counselling impart
To help our need, which is but right;
For he is mine, and I have dight
For him the mote assembled here
Of barons, who, despising fear,11020
Will save Fair-Welcome from the snare
He lieth in: he doth declare
Himself all powerless, but ’twould be
Disgrace and injury to me
To lose a liegeman who hath served
Me loyally, nor ever swerved
From duty’s path. To him I owe
Right worthy recompense, and so
Have now invoked your mighty power
To ruin and lay low the tower.11030