Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/144

E’en yet will he promote my cause,
For, to deserve my grace, Love’s laws
He in that fair Romance shall write,
Which he begins, and shall indite
The tale so far, before his death,
As where he to Fair-Welcome saith:
(Who, languishing, doth wear through time
In prison, though unstained by crime)
“Hear me confess that darkest fear
Invades me lest it should appear11040
That you forget me quite; what woe
Untold would fall on me to know
That I had lost your friendship, then
Were I unhappiest of men….”
Behold we William here expire:
Upon his tomb may sacred fire
Burn aloes, cinnamon, and myrrh,
In honour of my worshipper.

Of Jean de Meun Then shall appear John Clopinel,
Joyous of heart, of body well11050
And fairly built: at Meun shall he
Be born where Loire flows peacefully,
Who, whether he keepeth feast or fast,
Will never while his life-days last
Forget my service, but without
Envy or avarice go about
To honour me, untouched by care
How he at Reason’s hands may fare,
Who all my precious balms doth scorn,
Which salve sad hearts with love o’erworn,11060
And if it happen that he make
Some error, failure, or mistake,