Page:Romance of the Rose (Ellis), volume 1.pdf/114

And when my heart is off my thought
So far, it seems by madness caught.
But I shall go to her, indeed,
Still following where mine heart doth lead,
Reckless of aught beside the way.”
Then wilt thou forth without delay;2410
But travelling at too great a pace
Wilt oft-times fail to win the race,
And so perforce must turn aback,
Pensive and sad, thine outlook black,
Bemoaning that all waste hath been
Thy journey since thou hast not seen
The longed-for object. Then to great
And grievous misery of estate
Thou com’st again, with sighs and groans,
And twitchings, shiverings, and moans,2420
And pains acute, and minor ills,
More quick and sharp than hedgehog’s quills.

Sight only satisfies Let him who doubts the truth hereof,
Ask some true lover ere he scoff.
But still thy heart will feel unrest,
With infinite desire oppressed
To see once more the face of her
Whose vision doth thy bosom stir
To madness, and if that sweet sight
Thou winnest, to thy great delight,2430
Past measure thou the chance wilt prize
Thereon to feast thy hungry eyes,
And through her beauty wilt thou be
Fulfilled of all felicity:
For gazing on the one sweet dame
Who sets thy being all aflame,