Romance of the Rose (Ellis)/Chapter 9
IX
And lastly here is told of Youth,
Reckless, naive, and wild forsooth.
The last that lingers in my mind
Is Youth, to all but pleasure blind. 1310
No more than twelve short years, I ween,
This innocent maiden yet had seen
Of good or ill, and looked to be
Still in her first simplicity.
The joyance of Youth
But gladness, joy, and gleesome play,
And only mirth and laughter sought,
Without one care or afterthought.
A lover had she, like in age
To her sweet self, and no more sage1320
Than she. The simple pair would kiss
From time to time, and nought amiss
They deemed it all the dance should see
When they embraced as lovingly
As cooing turtle-doves. The boy,
E’en as the girl, was nowise coy,
But was in artlessness for her
A fitting mate I dare aver.
Thus merrily this jovial throng
Disported them with dance and song,1330
And many another knight and dame,
Of gracious mien and goodly fame,
Soon joined them to the light-heart crew,
While through the air gay laughter flew.