Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/146

But of such moment are these things,
That well behoves it that my wings
I spread so soon as he the light
Beholds, and let him hear aright
Our judgment, else I warrant you
That ne’er the work he’ll carry through,11100
And lest it happed, as well might be,
By unforeseen calamity,
That this good Clopinel, whose birth
We look for, ne’er should tread the earth,
It were irreparable loss
To lovers that thus fate should cross
A man whose keen and worthy wit
Should do their cause such benefit.
Love’s tender care I therefore dame Lucina prayed,
Goddess of birth, to give her aid,11110
That to the world he safe might come,
And long therein find hearth and home;
And whensoe’er he weaned shall be,
Then Jupiter, most tenderly,
Shall take him up and give to him
A draught from out his tuns, which brim
With virtue twofold, this one bright,
That, turbid, thick, and black as night;
This one right pleasant, soft and sweet,
That, bitter as soot or waves that beat11120
The ocean shore; and when in cot
He lies, it then shall be his lot
That I enshroud him ’neath my wings,
And teach him such sweet carollings,
That even in his early youth,
With my soft science filled, forsooth,