Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/228

Lover’s contests For sharply raged fierce contests then.
If learnèd Algus, of all men
The wisest in his reckoning,
Should his ten wondrous figures bring
To bear thereon, I doubt if well
By multiplying he could tell13490
The number of the deadly fights
Wherein my gallants strove o’ nights.
Right fair of face was I, and sound
Of body, and of sterlings round
Had many a thousand, glistering white,
But like a dunce my business dight.
I was, in truth, a fair young fool,
Of no experience in love’s school.
Nought of love’s theory I knew,
But learned in its practice grew,13500
And all throughout my life have I
Its battles fought unflinchingly.
And now to you may I impart
The mysteries of that sweet art,
For blame were mine should I forego
To teach young folk the lore I know.
’Tis no great marvel if love’s pleasure
You neither know to mete or measure,
Since you are but a nestling still,
With callow wings and yellow bill;13510
While I so wrought have in the field
Of love that unto none I yield
In knowledge, but might lightly dare
To fill a grave professor’s chair.
’Tis but a fool who would despise
And mock old age, by time grown wise,