Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 16
XVI
This tells how Cupid skilfully
The Lover’s heart with golden key
Locked in such wise, that though his breast
It entered, nought it harmed his vest.2080
The Lover’s heart is locked
Love then from forth his alm’ner drew
A little key, well-wrought anew
Of thrice refined gold, and said:
“This to thy heart my hand must wed;
To its safe keeping I confide
My jewels; ne’er hath it belied
My perfect trust. It doth possess
Great virtue, and in size though less
Than thy small finger, yet ’tis[errata 1] strong;
The name that to it doth belong2090
Is: Mistress of my jewels rare.”
The Lover speaks.
Forthwith Love touched my side with care,
And so adroitly turned the key,
That scarce its path was known to me.
His utter will he thus worked out,
And when I felt ’twas done past doubt,
I cried: “But one desire doth fill
My heart, which is to work thy will,
And humbly beg my homage due
Thou wilt accept for loyal and true.2100
My words proceed not from a heart
Wherein disloyalty hath part,
For every servant’s work is vain,
Whose master treateth with disdain
The service offered, though it be
Tendered with loving loyalty.”
Love speaks.
Love’s guerison
Then Love replied; “Cast fear away:
Since thou hast given thyself to-day
To me, most willingly I take
Thee to my service, and will make2110
Thy name renowned therein, if ye
Misdo not; yet but leisurely
Good gifts oft come, and many a pain
Must ye endure before ye gain
Relief. With faithful patience wait,
And I from out thy hard estate
Will bring thee; well to me is known
That which will work thy guerison.
If loyal and true thou dost remain.
Such sovereign balm thy heart shall fain,2120
As all thy wounds shall quickly heal.
Soon shall I see if thou dost deal
Me faithful service, by my head!
And if thou day and night hast sped
All those commandments faithfully
Which true hearts only have from me.”
The Lover speaks.
Instruction claimed
“Great Sire,” I cried, “for love of God,
Before your foot forsakes this sod,
I pray you all your high behest
Set forth, for here I stand confessed2130
Your humble servitor, whose great
Desire it is, both rathe and late,
To do your will, and fain would learn
Each point, nor thence hereafter turn.”
Love speaks.
Then answered Love: “Thou speakest well:
But little boots good wit to tell
To those who heed not, masters lose
Their pains unless their scholars choose
Within their memories fast to hold
The counsel wisdom’s lips unfold.”2140
The Lover speaks.
Then Cupid set himself to teach
Me, word for word, such things as reach
The very pith of his commands.
In this Romance each precept stands
Plain writ, and those who inly yearn
For love may ill its mystery learn
From out its page. ’Tis ever well
To list that man who knows to tell
His story throughly. Many a new
And wondrous thing, though strange yet true,2150
This dream sets forth, and he who hears
The end thereof, the hopes and fears
And joys of love may learn, and grow
The deep significance to know
The tale containeth. Now is hid
The truth, which all uncoverèd
Shall be when you have read throughout
The story—clear of lies or doubt.