Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 2.pdf/82

Heloïse refused marriage Of marriage, howsoever true
Are those who bind themselves thereto;
For not alone had she in books
Studied, but all the closest nooks
Of woman’s heart explored, and she
Love’s throes had suffered bitterly.
Therefore she begged they might atwain,
Though dying each for each, remain,
Bound by no bonds but those of love,
Whose gentle ties are strong above9200
All marriage laws, yet frank and free
Leave lovers—in sweet amity—
To follow learning, and she said,
Moreover, that long absence bred
’Twixt lovers unexpressed delight,
Most poignant when they’re lost to sight.

But Peter, as himself hath writ
In burning letters, so was smit
With passion, that nought else would serve
Till Heloïse he drew to swerve9210
From her sage counsel, and thence fell
On him mischance most dire to tell;
For little more their course was run
Ere she at Argenteuil as nun
Was close immured, while he was reft
Of manhood by his foes, who deft
As cruel were in his despite,
Seizing him as he lay one night
At Paris.
After this mischance
Saint Denis, patron saint of France,9220