Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/230

They’d pass me by with hop and skip
sweet As one not worth an apple pip:13550
And some, to whom I’d favour shown,
Now voted me a wrinkled crone.
It seemed as each would put on me
Some new refined indignity.

Bittersweet remembrance Upon the other hand no man,
How fine soe’er of feeling, can,
Dear friend, believe the woes I felt,
Or how mine eyes in tears would melt,
When rose the picture in my mind
Of old good days when kisses kind13560
Were showered upon me ’mid delights
Of joyous days and passioned nights—
Sweet words to sweeter actions wed.
Alas! for ever all are fled,
Past over to return no more.
Far better had a prison door
Closed on me than that I were born
So soon. Ah God! what scathing scorn
Have fair gifts lost brought down on me,
And consciousness they ne’er can be13570
Reclaimed hath sent a poisoned dart
Of anguish through my wasted heart.
I ask again, why was I born
So soon? unhappy wretch forlorn!
Is there, but you, one single one
To whom I can complain, dear son?
In nowise could my vengeance reach
My foes so well as if I teach
To you my doctrine for this end;
Thereon my breath I well may spend,13580