Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 19

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XIX

Fair-Welcome here the Lover learneth
How that for which his spirit yearneth
May be attained, and courteously
Leads where he sorely longs to be.

Fair-Welcome appears Beside the hedge awhile I stood,
With wavering heart, in dubious mood,
When towards me came, with gracious mien,
A youth whose aspect well I ween2910
Lord Momus had not dared to blame.
Quoth he: “Fair-Welcome is my name,
The son of kind-heart Courtesy.”
With graceful gest he showed to me
A path, and noting my surprise,
Thus spake he forth in friendly wise.

Fair-Welcome speaks.

“Fair sir, if ’tis your wish to find
How you perchance may come behind
The hedge, to taste the odour sweet
The roses breathe, you may your feet2920
By my assistance set therein,
Thy promise given, that nought of sin
Or folly moves thee. Willingly,
That understood, I promise thee,
To that fair rose-tree free access,

Of generous love and friendliness.”

The Lover answers.

“Fair sir, with right goodwill,” I cried.
“I take your welcome word; beside
My power or speech it is to give
You worthy thanks, but while I live2930
Shall be your debtor.”
By his aid
I climbed the thorn-set hedge, and made
My way within the envious close
That circled round the longed-for Rose.
To seek one special bud I ran
Which seemed to me more fragrant than
The host of others, and with me
Fair-Welcome went, in company.
I need not ask you to believe
What rapture ’twas to thus achieve2940
The object of my one desire—
The Rose—which burnt my heart like fire,
And thanks, untold, Fair-Welcome gained,
Through whom I had this goal attained.
Danger lies hidden But out, alas! unhappy I,
A villain wretch was hid hard by,
Danger to wit, the forge of woes
For all who dare approach the Rose.
Within a corner dim lurked he,
Concealed by grass and greenery,2950
Watching, with envious eye, whoso
Should venture near the Rose to go.
With this foul churl were other three,
Whose care it is love’s path should be
Beset with briars; vile Evil-Tongue,
And Shame and Fear: the best among
Of Shame and Fear The three was Shame, and know that she
Cometh of doubtful ancestry;
Her mother Reason hight, her sire,
Alas! was foul Misdeed, a dire2960
And bloody monster, to whom ne’er
Did Reason yield herself, but bare
Her daughter, when by sad mischance
Misdeed had cast on her one glance;
And when God’s will it was that Shame
Was thus engendered, so it came
That Chastity, who erst had been
Of Roses and of Rose-buds queen
And guardian, finding her beset
By robbers, vainly sought to get2970
Swift aid.
Now Venus ’tis, forsooth,
Who day and night inciteth youth
To reive the Roses.
Chastity,
By Venus sorely vexed, the knee
To Reason bent, and asked from her
Her child, as help and succourer.

Then Reason fired with will to save
The Rosebuds, heard her prayer, and gave
Her virtuous, innocent daughter, Shame.
And Jealousy moreover came2980
With Fear, than these none better know
Dame Venus’ wiles to overthrow;
And evermore this well-met trine
Of subtle castellans, combine
That none may Rosebud seize or Rose.

Now being well within the close,
Almost I deemed me near my end,
For prompt Fair-Welcome was to lend
His help thereto, should not these three,
By sad mischance get sight of me.2990
The Lover nears the Rose And now he bid me come anear
And touch the Rose-tree, scorning fear,
Whereon the Rose-bud grew, and seeing,
How longing therefor, sapped my being,
Stretched forth his hand, and plucked a leaf
From off the Rose-tree’s plenteous sheaf.
This leaf I set to deck my breast,
Deeming the gift a worthy test
That friendliwise Fair-Welcome stood
In my regard, and likelihood3000
I had of good success.
Then bold
I felt with hope assured, and told
Fair-Welcome how my heart above
All else was captive-led by Love.
“One thing alone, fair sir, can give
To me enjoyment while I live;
For in my heart is buried deep
A wound, whose pulses banish sleep.
Alas! what words can e’er describe
My case, whereat forbear to gibe3010
Or mock, for rather were I torn
In pieces, than provoke your scorn.”

Fair-Welcome.

“Speak forth,” quoth he, “your full desire
Nor fear you aught to raise mine ire

Through that you say, whate’er it be.”

The Lover.

“Fair sir,” I answered, “pity me,
Whom Love hath seized within his grip,
Nor fear that falsehood stains my lip.
Through Love my heart is doomed to feel
Five cruel wounds, which nought may heal3020
Unless I win that opening rose,
Than which, the world’s round circle knows
Nought else so sweet. For it I live,
Or die, content my life to give
Therefor.”—Fair-Welcome paled with fear,

Fair-Welcome.

And cried: “O brother, wherefore rear
Within your breast a hope so vain?
Desire you then to be my bane?
Alas! I were forsooth undone,
My credit lost, my honour gone,3030
If you should dare to reive that rose
From where, by God’s handset, it grows
Unharmed. A villain’s act I trow
Is that you dream of. Suffer now
That beauteous bud, whereso ’twas born,
To flourish still, my hand would scorn
The crime your mouth doth rashly bid.”

The Author.

Danger appears Then Danger, who lay closely hid
Hard by, sprang forth. Of form immense,
Dark-browed, with hair as stiff and dense3040
As spike-set herse, his red eyes burned
Like fire above his nose upturned,
While loudly, maniac-voiced, he cried:

Danger.

“Fair-Welcome, are you then beside
Your wit to bring a gallant thus
Anear the Rose? most infamous
Is his intent towards you; no one
But you this great disgrace had done.
To serve a felon is to be
Partaker of his felony.3050
A kindness you have will to do
To him, who but betrayeth you.”