Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/124

To live, however hard their lot,
And carefully shirk death, God wot!
The wretched thrall, in dungeon dark,
Munches poor oaten bread life’s spark2720
To keep within him, and despair
Repels, though filth and vermin wear
His wretched body: still doth hope
Of freedom give him strength to cope
With direst miseries, trusting still
By happy chance or guileful skill
To win deliverance. He likewise,
Whose soul in love’s sweet bondage lies,
Hath hope at last to heal his woe,
And thence such light and comfort grow,2730
As give him grace to bear the smart
That love inflicts, with constant heart.

Hope always present Through Hope it is that lovers learn
To count their misery nought, and spurn
Dark-eyed Despair, assured each blow
And stripe they suffer but foreshow
A hundred joys, when they shall be
Made happy in love’s victory.
O blessed Hope that through the strife
Of years gives savour to the life2740
Of lovers.
Gentle Hope is kind.
And never laggeth far behind
A brave man’s footsteps till the end
Of life approacheth, but doth lend
Comfort and light, although he be
Bowed to the earth with misery.
Nay, e’en the wretch who feels the rope
Around his neck, still clings to Hope.