Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/170

Within the tower, whereby it might
Be safely kept by day and night.
From every battlement looked out
Great mangonels to cast about
Gigantic stones, while east and west,
And north and south, an arbalest
From every loophole peered, ’gainst which
No man could stand who neared the ditch,4040
And but a dotard fool, I swear,
Were he who rashly ventured there.
A long embattled wall extends
Around the moat, the which forfends
Assault of knights, until that they
At least have shown good battle play.

The tower garrison Within hath Jealousy arrayed
A garrison, and Danger made
The castellan; right surlily
He bears in hand the master-key4050
That locks the gate, which looketh east,
And under him he hath at least
A thirty warders. Next there came
The southern gate, which boasted Shame
For trusty portress; many a guard
She hired to keep strict watch and ward
By night and day. Towards the north
A gate ’neath Fear’s command looks forth,
The which she keepeth closely locked,
Mistrusting lest her guard be mocked4060
The while she sleeps, and rarely she
Will open whosoe’er it be
Demandeth entrance. Trembleth sore
Her heart if e’en soft gales sweep o’er