Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 28
XXVIII
Fair-Welcome here the Lover brings,
With many sweet-voiced welcomings,
Within the cincture whence the Rose,
Across the air, its fragrance throws.3500
The Lover’s fair hope
And thus I passed—believe me well—
To brightest heaven, from darkest hell,
For all throughout that closure rare,
Fair-Welcome left me free to fare
Whereso I would, and when the tree
I came anear, it seemed to me
That somewhat larger had it grown
Since first I cast mine eyes upon
Its wondrous beauty. Greater height
The bush had gained, but not yet quite3510
The bud had oped its eye to show
The golden grain that lay below;
While o’er its head, as ’twere a roof,
The petals bent them for behoof
And guarding of the precious seed,
Which future roses yet should breed.
But, God be thanked, the bud I found
Of just expansion, full and round
Of growth, and far more fair of hue
Than heretofore; it seemed anew3520
To fill my heart with extasy,
To think so sweet a thing might be
Seen on the surface of the earth.
But all the more, now jocund mirth
Possessed my heart, with surer hold,
Did Love his toils around me fold.
He would kiss the Rose
Long time I stood as in a trance,
Rejoicing at the wondrous chance
That I Fair-Welcome happed to meet,
Seeing how well did he entreat3530
My every wish, nor aught deny
I asked him. Then, all hastily,
I dared to make him one request,
Which might his friendship sorely test.
“Fair sir,” quoth I, “one great desire
Consumes my soul, like ardent fire;
’Tis this, that of the Rose, whose scent
With all the air like balm is blent,
You would permit me one soft kiss,
Bathing my heart in perfect bliss.3540
Fair sir, for love of God, I pray
You turn not scornfully away
From this appeal, unless in it
Something appears you deem unfit.”
Fair-Welcome.
“Dear friend,” cried he, “God be mine aid!
If I forsooth were not afraid
Of Chastity, with pleasure I
Would grant your prayer, but verily
I dare in nowise contradict
Her will, and she hath given most strict3550
And sure commandment, none should touch
Or kiss the Rose, however much
Or sorely he might plead therefor:
I pray you press your suit no more.
A kiss would not suffice
‘For one,’ saith she, ‘who should attain
To touch and kiss, will not remain
Therewith content; he then had got
The choicest morsel, well I wot,
And pledge, thereby, that one day he
Should win the rest all utterly.’”3560
The Lover.
Thus answered, to my mind ’twas clear
I must forego my suit, for fear
Of angering him.
One ne’er should press
A prayer to point of wrathfulness.
No mortal man, with single stroke,
E’er cut atwain a sturdy oak,
And none may know wine’s savour sweet,
Till grapes are trodden ’neath men’s feet.
My suit for many a day had waited,
By this or that mischance belated,3570
If Venus, whom all lovers know
As friend to them, and mortal foe
To Chastity, had not appeared.
Mother of Love is she, endeared
To all his faithful ones. Her hand
Held with firm grasp a flaming brand,
Which scorched hath many a damsel’s heart,
Fatal oft-times as Cupid’s dart.
Dull were the eye that could not trace
The Goddess in her radiant face3580
And fay-like form.
’Twere light to guess,
So free her mien, so bright her dress,
Religion’s bondage held her not.
’Tis nowise needful, as I wot,
To tell the wondrous robes she ware
Betrimmed with golden orfreys rare,
Nor of the jewelled morse that bound
The precious girdle, worn around
Her dainty waist, nor hair of gold,
That round her knees in wavelets rolled:3590
The tale of this I well may spare.
But doubt her not for passing fair,
Right gracious, and devoid of pride.
Forth stepped she freely, and beside
Fair-Welcome stood, then straight began:
Venus.
Venus appears
“Wherefore against this love-lorn man
Do you display such high disdain?
This kiss forbidding, which he fain
Would snatch? Do you not clearly see
How honour, faith and loyalty,3600
Shine forth in him? His manly grace,
His well-formed limbs, his noble face,
The generous accents of his tongue,
Proclaim him vigorous, blithe and young;
Whereof thank God!
On any dame
Or guardian, should I cry out shame,
Who, when such lover prayed a kiss,
With churlish heart denied that bliss!
List then my counsel, and bestow
The boon that he desireth so.3610
From archèd lips, his breath as sweet
Exhales as southern winds that beat
On fresh-blown violet-beds. He seems
One of those happy youths whose dreams
Are but of soft and sweet desires.
His lips are red as ruby fires,
And close on teeth as pure and white
As fleur-de-lis in springtide bright;
And, to my deeming, nought amiss
It were to grant him one sweet kiss.3620
So let it be, nor longer stay,
’Twere time but lost to make delay.”