He through a window space may make
His entry, failing not to take
A rope whereby he may descend
Into the garden and attend
Fair-Welcome’s coming, who should flee
From forth his prison hastily13210
To meet the Lover, who hath been
Estranged from him through hate and spleen.
And then, when once you’re locked in sleep,
Fair-Welcome towards the door should creep,
Half open it, and so his friend
Will in a moment gain his end;
Plucking the Rose, if only he
The other guards cheats equally.
The Lover.
The Lover’s hopes rise
But as for me, who stood hard by,
I deemed the matter certainly13220
Accomplished if the dame gave aid,
And felt thereof nowise afraid.
Or if I could not compass this,
I then might use some artifice
Such as False-Seeming should devise;
For him I hold as wondrous wise.
The Author.
The harridan makes little stay,
But to Fair-Welcome takes her way,
Who in the prison, ’gainst his gree,
Abideth most impatiently.13230
Straight goes she till she stands before
The tower, and quickly hastens o’er
