Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 78

Layout 2

LXXVIII

How the fond Lover’s hope to gain
The Rose, through Danger fell, proved vain,
For soon as his attempt he spied,
With fearsome shout the monster cried.

Vain hope Alas! fools’ projects oft fall short!
Of fate I seemed the toy and sport,
For even as I raised my hand,
Foul Danger in the path did stand.
The villain may a wolf devour!
Hid in an angle, near the flower,15540
He stood, and, watching us, each word
Set down that he betwixt us heard,
And then with rage and fury yelled,

The while his club aloft he held:

Danger to the Lover.

Again chased forth Fly, varlet! quick! I bid you fly
Forthwith, unless you long to die,
The devil ’tis that brings you here,
The fiend accurst, the ravisher,
In this base robbery fain would he
Take part, I doubt not, readily.15550
Although no saint afford me aid,
God help me! be you well afraid
O vassal, lest I break your head.

The Lover.

Then Fear and Shame together sped
Towards me when they heard him cry
“Fly! fly! thou varlet,” lustily.
Ah! had he merely used his tongue!
But he the devil brought among
Us there, and drove the saints away;
What tricks the treacherous wretch doth play!
And then, fulfilled of rage, the three,15560
With one accord fell foul of me,
Thrusting my hands behind my back.
Cried they, “Of more you needs must lack
Than what you have already won.
’Tis plain by what you now have done
That you Fair-Welcome understood
But ill when he would work you good.
His all he lightly offered you
With heart, kind, generous, frank, and true,15570
And you with utter disregard
Of honesty his goods had shared
Beyond the sense in which ’twas meant.
For, though unspoken, the intent
Is clear when one doth nobly make
An offer for politeness’ sake.
What more than that could mortal do?
The Lover reproached But we, sir trickster, ask of you
Wherefore his words in plainest sense
You take not, free of all pretence?15580
To understand his words awry
Convicts you of stupidity.
Or else perchance you deem it fit
To play the part of foolish wit.
To you the Rose he offered not,
And indecorous ’twere, we wot,
For you to ask him such a thing,
Or snatch it, he not offering.
Straightly we ask with what intent
Your offering unto him was sent;15590
Was not your end, as we suppose,
To cozen him, and steal the Rose?
With treachery vile and falseness you
Profess to him that you will do
Some service, though in truth his foe
You prove. Ne’er yet in book, we trow,
Was writ a crime more wholly curst.
Therefore, although your heart should burst
With grief, this precinct must you flee,
Wherefrom we drove you formerly.15600
The devil ’twas that brought you back,
For scarce can you remembrance lack
How you from out this place were driven;
Be off, and seek another heaven.
Small sense displayed that guardian who
Chose to admit a fool like you,
For had she known your treacherous mind,
She ne’er had suffered you behind
The hedge to win. Grossly deceived
Fair-Welcome was when he received15610
Your visit here, he thought to be
Your friend, and found but treachery.
You’re like a dog that swims a-land,
And on the bank doth barking stand.
Be off! go seek your prey elsewhere,
And let your footsteps quickly bear
You hence; away! our stairs descend
Forthwith, or ware you evil end;
For chance it is one cometh here
Eftsoons whose face you well may fear,15620
For simple reckoning will he measure
With one who hither comes on pleasure.

Fear and Shame speak Sir madman! vile, presumptuous sot!
Who neither faith nor truth doth wot,
What hath Fair-Welcome ’gainst you done?
By some foul crime hath he then won
Your anger and undying hate
That you his life would desolate?
And when all things that you possessed
You proffered him, ’twere lightly guessed15630
That ’twas with hope he would receive
You hither, and our watch deceive
For your behoof, and e’en his birds
And dogs give you for your fair words.
Right foolishly hath he behaved,
But, by the God who all men saved,
And by St. Faith, so great a wrong
Hath he committed, that in strong
And cruel durance shall he lie
From day to day all hopelessly.15640
Bound shall he be with many a chain,
Nor ever while he lives shall gain
Freedom, whereby he might once more,
Vex us again as heretofore.
’Twas to your loss that e’er you saw
This caitiff, who defies our law.

The Author.

Fair-Welcome’s evil case Then not alone they beat him, but
Within the tower they closely shut
Their victim, and, with insults great,
’Neath three strong locks incarcerate15650
Him hopelessly; handcuff and chain
Are needless, for three locks make vain
All chance of flight. ’Twas but a taste
(Since now were they oppressed with haste)
Of pain to come when they returned,
For ’gainst him hot their anger burned.