THE
ROMANCE OF THE ROSE
XLIII
Herein is told how Reason left
The ’wildered Lover all bereft
Of comfort, but straightway a Friend,
He finds, whose words his woes amend.7610
Reason departs
When Reason heard my words she went
Her ways and left me worn and spent
With grief, till of my friend I thought,
And, pain and trouble scorning, sought
To find him, but, by God’s hand led.
He came, beheld my woe, and said:
The Friend.
Fair friend, I pray you say amain
What misery doth your soul enchain;
For all too plainly writ, your pale
And careworn visage tells a tale7620
Of new-born grief. Say then, what news?
The Lover.
God help me! gloom my soul bedews.
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