Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/227

Who breasts love’s waves, yet knows them not,
But if my creed you once have got
By heart, you shall arrive at last
Safely in port, all dangers past.

Love’s heyday Believe me, if, when young as you,
I’d known love’s art as now I do,
And of its ways had been aware
(For I, in youth, was passing fair),13460
You would not hear me groan and sigh
As I consider mournfully
My outworn visage, and repine
At every pucker, seam and line,
When of my beauty lost I think,
Whereof gay lovers fain would drink
Long draughts to quench their lovesick heat:
(Good Lord! it makes my pulses beat!)
For then was I of high renown,
Alike in countryside and town,13470
For fairness, and of gallants proud
And rich there never lacked a crowd
Around my dwelling. Many a score
Of blows came rattling ’gainst my door,
When I disdained with answering word
To let them know their calls were heard,
Because it happed forsooth that I
Already had good company.
Hereout grew oft a wild uproar,
And monstrous wroth was I therefor.13480
The porch, ’neath stout and sturdy stroke,
Would yield sometimes, and then awoke
A fierce mellee, and lives and limbs
Were lost to please my wayward whims,