Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 15
XV
From Youth, which had deceived his heart,
The Lover tears himself apart,
And to the God of Love doth now
In homage, as his liegeman, bow.
The Dreamer becomes a Lover
With clasped, uplifted hands I cried:
“Behold your bondsman.” Love replied
By pressing ruby lips to mine.
Oh, heaven of bliss! Oh, joy divine!
For hostage then he took me straight.
Love speaks.
“Good friend,” quoth he, “full oft my fate2040
Hath been false homage to receive
From men who swear but to deceive.
Base rebels have, with many a wile,
My courtesy repaid by guile
And villain strife, but they shall know
My wrath if ever chance should throw
Them ’neath my hand; they dear shall buy
The fruits of vile hypocrisy.
But I such fond affection feel
For thee, that surely would I seal2050
Thy heart to mine, and hold it fast
In such firm wise that ne’er o’erpast
My vigilance shall be, but still
True faithfulness thy mind fulfil.
Deception were a grievous crime
Towards one whose heart with thine doth chime.
The Lover answers.
The Lover’s full surrender
I answered: “Hear me, gentle sire,
And tell me why should you require
Pledge or assurance? You must know
By past experience, as I trow,2060
That in such wise my heart hath been
Sore handled, that no more I ween
It hath desire to say or do
Aught else but that which pleasureth you.
This heart is yours that once was mine,
And now is bound, without repine,
To follow your command. Therein
You have a garrison will win
The victory ’gainst all comers. But
If thou hast doubt thereof, then shut2070
And lock it close, and guard the key.”
“Now, by my head! that seems to me
Well said,” quoth Love, “and I accept
Thy word; that body safe is kept
By him who under lock hath got
His captive’s very heart, God wot!”