Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 55
LV
The Lover makes no more delay,
But leaves his friend, and seeks the way
To where Fair-Welcome lies, for fain
Is he to find him once again.
The friend departs
Then to my friend I bade adieu.
And with a merry heart withdrew10470
From thence across the mead, lit up
With daisy bright and buttercup,
And hearkened how the echoes rang,
With joyous notes the small fowl sang;
Ah! how my spirit with delight
O’erflowed at such sweet sound and sight.
The approach to the tower
But one thing that my friend had said
Lay on my heart like weight of lead,
Which was, that I should go not near
The tower accursed, but keep me clear10480
Of all the roads that led thereto,
A thing my will rebelled to do.
Then wandering heedless I forsook
The right-hand path, and straightway took
The left, in hope the shortest road
To find, for in my soul abode
Earnest desire the goal to gain,
Of danger careless, and of pain
Unmindful, could I only get
Thither ere one more strong should let10490
Or hinder my attempt to free
Fair-Welcome, friend most dear to me.
Soon as I see the stronghold break
Before me like a baked-up cake,
And the strong gates wide open fly,
Then none shall stay my valiancy.
And may the devil be within
My belly if I fail to win
The fortress; for I promise you
If once I get within near view10500
Thereof, Fair-Welcome shall its bounds
O’erleap, I wage a million pounds.
But from the fort itself I’ll stay,
For prudence’ sake, some little way.