In arms ’gainst Danger. Surely then
The fort must yield to suchlike men11220
Banded together, if but they
Their strength and valiancy display.
Venus’ help needed
Above all else right well it were
Your mother Venus should be there,
Who understandeth better far
Than many another how Love’s war
Is wrought and won. Without her aid
Some error lightly might be made
In word or deed. Let thy command
Ensure to us her mighty hand.11230
Love.
Venus, great lords, whom I confess
As mother, lady, and mistress,
I may not at my pleasure bend
To serve my will. Yet oft-times wend
Will she to succour me when I
Beseech her powerful ministry,
Fearing the while to ask too much.
She is my mother, and as such,
E’en from my childhood’s days, a sense
I feel of humble reverence11240
Towards her, for if sons no fear
Have of their parents, they but rear
A baleful seed-crop. Natheless we
May ask her aid if need should be,
And e’en though far away, she’d speed
Hither hot-foot, nor hindrance heed.
