Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 14
XIV
Herein is told how Love amain
The Dreamer claims bis prisoner—fain
Is he to yield him at command,
As liegeman neath his master-hand.
Love claims his victim
With bounding step the God of Love
Towards me ran, and stood above
My prostrate form, then gaily cried:
“Vassal! ’twere vain that thou denied
Thyself my prisoner, nought to fear
Hast thou, amend thy mournful cheer.1970
The readier thou to do ray will.
The quicker shall I be to fill
Thy heart with joyance. Mad wert thou
To fear him whom thou ought’st to know
For kindly friend; ’twere thine to seek
From him benevolence; all too weak
Art thou for contest. Learn of me
That pride and foolish vanity
Can serve thee nought. Thy will submit
To mine and thou shall joy in it.”1980
I answered; “ Sire, to you I give
Me wholly while ’tis mine to live:
’Fore God! no will have I to make
Rebellion ’gainst you; freely take
The Dreamer becomes Love’s liege
My life away. What so you deem
Most fitting, e’en though good it seem
To you to prison me or slay,
Speak but the word, and I obey.
My life is yours to waste or save,
I render me your bounden slave.1990
’Tis you alone have power to give
Or joy or penance while I live.
If your strong hand, which hath but late
Betrayed my soul to hardest fate,
Refuseth now its woes to cure,
Or prisons me,—O be you sure
I shall not murmur nor complain,
Of your decree my heart is fain.
For if with yours my heart is whole,
I nought need reck of shame or dole:2000
But trust you will in due time grant
That grace for which my soul doth pant.”
This said, I dropped upon my knee,
With will to kiss his foot; but he,
His hand in mine, said: “Well content
Am I with thee; such words ne’er went
From out a rebel’s mouth, and thou,
For that fair speech, shalt win thee now
Great honour. Homage unto me
’Tis thine to do, and grant I thee2010
This boon—my very mouth to kiss;
Such favour ne’er permitted is
To villains, churls, or such as be
Mere striplings; ’tis a warranty
Of Love’s sweet mercy, and alone
Permitted those whose hearts are known
For courteous, honest, leal and true;
Ready and ripe for service due.
My bondage weighty is, but I
Reward good servants plenteously.2020
Thou well may’st feel elate and proud
To be Love’s liegeman, and allowed
His livery from this day to wear.
Love doth the noble banner bear
Of Courtesy, and ever shows
Him sweetly gentle unto those
Who love him, and upon them take
His lordship. He will surely make
From out their hearts to disappear
All base desire, all servile fear.2030