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Our songs in hall and market-place
Shall he chant forth with tuneful grace,
Couched in the tongue men use in France,
And all the world therewith entrance.11130
And those who list him willingly,
Of Love’s soft woes shall never die;
For if they do but read aright
The precious book his pen shall dight,
They may therein find plainly writ
All Love’s commands, and draw from it
Such counsels, that it well may pass
Henceforward as the looking-glass
For lovers, but therein no part
Shall bear dull Reason’s caitiff heart.11140
Jealousy shall be overcome Therefore it is of you I ask
Good counselling to ease my task.
Beseeching you, palm joined to palm,
To pour on William Lorris balm
Of comfort in his loneliness,
Since well did he my faith confess;
And if for him I made no prayer,
Yet would I ask that John might share
Your powerful aid, that he may be
A wise, true servant unto me.11150
That he’ll be born I dare avow
As prophet; and moreover now
Pray ye for future lovers, who
Shall learn my full commandments through
His lore, and that by them may be
O’ercome all-hateful Jealousy,
And every fort she dares to raise
They may to bare foundations raze.